The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-05-29
.. e. q y +
Congressional CentrG

The tonstituttonaI Untontsts.
The Union party which nominated Bell
and Everett refused to adopt any platform
less broad than the Constitution. Ia order
to learn what, in their opinion, the Consti-
tuition meens, We must refer to the senti-
ments of the man whom they have chosen
and brought forward as the representative
and exponent of the Constitutional Union
Party.
In the Senate Of the United States in 1850
MIR. Bell, with contemptuous sneers at the
"frenzied and frantic PRIESTS or ssIearned
and rational divines" who hold that Slavery
is contrary to the Law Of nature and the law
OF God, went into a long argument to es :
tablish the righsfunsss of Slavery on no
tural principles, by the Scriptures and from
history. He said in conclusion upon these
points:
Yet slavery in every form in which it has
existed from the primitive period of organ
lied soclety-from its earliest and patriar-
chal form 10 this time, In every quarter of
the glohe-ani all its results, even the mag
Rhcent results of African slavery in the
United States, ere declared TO be against th @
law OF nature. Though contributing in a
hundred various forms and modes. through
period of thousands of years, TO the anne
Iteration OF the condition OF mankind gen.
orally; though sometimes abused. as all hu-
man institutions, even those of religion are.
siill contributing TO advance the cause of
civilizations; though. IL you please, having
ITS origin 10 individual capiiity. still work
ing Out general good yet slavery and oil
It's benchoent results are pronounced against
the Will OF God, By those who claim supe-
rior Illumination upon the subject. This
may De so but must say that this concu-
sion, so confidently announced, is not mr.
rived af IN accordance With tho Baconian
method OF reasoning, by which we are
taugnt that from great many particular
and well established facts in the physical
economy we may safely deduce a general
law OF physical nature, and SO of morals and
government. 1t seems TO my weak faculties
That IL ~ rather an arrogant and rresumutu.
Gus arrangement 81 the ways of Providence
mysterious as We know them TO be, for fee
bic man to declare that that which has beer
permitted 10 exist and prosper from the be
ginning among men and nations is CONTRARY
20 His will.
tenee that we must, according to Mr.. Bell
regard that all long established forms of or
ganlEed evils, If they continue to flourish
are 10 accordance with the will of God.
But Mr.. Bell regards that African SLAYER
lies at the very foundation CT America
prosperity, and of course, looking upon
10 that light, as q true patriot be would fe.
bound, when 10 the Presidential chair, to cx
ers all his influence and power to promo,
Slavery 10 the land. Upon this subject b
says:
Sir, making all due allowance II
American enterprise and the energies of FRI
labor under such q system of free Cover,
msnt as we enjoy, doubt whether the pow,
and resources OF the country would have n
tanned more than half their present cxtr,
ordinary proportions bat for this much :,
vlied institution Of slavery. Sir, your ris
and varied commerce, external and int rna
your navigation your commercial marin
Inc nursery OF the military; your ample re-
enaes The public credit your manufa
lures your rich, populous and spleud
cltles-aii ali may trace to this Institute
aste thetf seilsrring, their present gigant
proportions nourlshed AMI built up to the
present amazing height and grandeur by i
great staples OF the Soath-the products
slave labor.
Such are the principles Of the ahsad a
front" OF the Union Party on this ssyex
question" of Slavery WIZ Der. &c -
and HE put these principles into Plato
OF distinct resolutions