Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-09
THE DEspor1sM THAT INvADEs Us.

There is in all Europe no despotism like that
which slavery employs in this country. We
know very well what is done in Austria and
some other countries; but we know also that
slavery ver-matches anything to be found
there. The recent transaction in Kentucky,
by which some thirty-six peaceable and indus
trious citizens of that state were driven from
their homes and expelled from the common
wealth by mob, the Governor consenting,
and refusing to protect the victims, is sutfi-
GENTLY atrocicus to astonish the meanest des'
Dot that lives Their offence was that they
believed slavery bad thing for Kentucky, and
said so, when asked for their opinions. 1t was
a mob of gentlemen of property and stand
ing" who did this foul deed and it is evident
that the Emperor Francis Joseph might learn
from them important lessons for the discipline
of Hungary Nor is this all. He could Ind
similar teachers in Virginia, and In almosteve-
ry place where chattel slavery exists to per-
vert and destroy manhood.
And what slavery does in Kentucky, Viz
ginia, South Carolina, and other slave states,
it demands to have done throughoutth the whole
country. We in the free states must suppress
free discussion we must not, any where,
speak, nor even whisper, a word TO the dis
credit the institution; free speech must be
treated as incendiary and reasonable; the
despotism and terrorism which prevail in the
south, must control the north and have SUI
premacy everywhere; else all the Shareholders
who act with the democratic party will hurry
every thing to ruin. Nearly twentyfv years
ago, there was formal demand to have anti.
slavery publications and speakers suppressed
in the north and that demand IS pressed still
with undated emphasis. 1t will be seen that
Governor Letcher of Virginia proposes some
new measures to secure compliance with it.
When his agents come to brow-beat and conf
mand the Legislature Of Massachusetts, they
will doubtless have nice time of it.
If there were nothing else TO create an "lr.
repressible conflict" we should have ii in this
persistent and most atrocious crusade against
personal freedom and state rights and, if there
were no other reason for organizing political
party against the men who now control the
government, we should have the most ample
ground for such a movement in the despouc
aggressons and demands Of this inscriptions
slave power in the matter Of free speech. 1T
forbids us to be men. We must sink to the
condition of the most seryile and crawling
meanness, or be treated as outlaws. In the
Democratic party, faith in freedom is punished
as crime, as the most fatal disqualification
for office, and the most sufficient reason for
being spurned and spit upon. That party
would substitute this part of its political code
for the constitution, and make it universal We
can see what they mean in their domineering
tone in regard to the organization of Congress,
and in their threats to destroy the Union
should the people see fit to elect Republican
President
But, the present noisy and despotic demon
STATIONS of the barbarous power that owns the
democratic party, are signs Of conscious weak
ness and approaching dissolution. Not only
in the North, but all around it, everywhere, it
feels the presence Of that hostile judgment be-
meath which it must finally die. Why is free
speech "incendiasy," why are the mails rob-
bed to guard slavery against its approaches,
why is Helpers book deemed so terrible, if
slavery is sure OF. itself, and is conscious of
being supported by the conviction, reverence,
and never failing zeal of all southern men 2? 1t
has no such belief in itself, and dare not trust
its fortunes to free discussion. Therefore it
persecutes and seeks to strike down every
man who will not speak in its favor. 1t en-
ploys terrorism in the South, because its cham
pions know very well that the South is full of
silent and growing hostility to slavery, and
that their madness in its behalf may ere long
be overborne by sudden uprising of the OPP
posite sentiment, which they now do SO much
to terrify and crush out.