The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1860-07-19


The urea, issue Of the dny, however much po-
Htiral partiaaus may affect to ignore or deny it,
is the extension or uon-rX ,ension Of American
Slavery. IT the issue between the four different
candidates now in the field is not made up in 50
msnv words, il amounts practically TO that,
and that only. Mr.. Gaullcn. warm support.
er of Douglas in the South, accepting the doc |
trne Of popular sovereignty as the priciple by |
which all those protesting allegiance to south. |
crn institutions ought to be governed, says the
extension aud strength Of slavery rests in gent
measure with the right Of the Shareholders to 90
into the territories with their property, under
the protection ol the genera government TAX.
ing this philosophy for basis, it must follow,
ASH natural consequence that every blow struck
against the further extension OF slavery and the
greater usurPation OF power, is blow that
weakens the "pecuar institution" and pre-
cursor 20 its final overthrow.
During the canvass last fall, Douglas and his
friends assured us most positively that the qucs.
ton of slavery extension was n deud issue, it
was settled; that the people OF territory were
the urbters for moulding their own governments;
aud finally that slavery was now happily
removed from Congress; yet, no sooner was our
national legislature convened than the agitation
resumed with all its vgor aud virulence For
nearly two months was this agitation" kept up,
aud almost exclusively by the party claiming
to be democratic. Therefore, slavery is not
only "politcal institution but also closely
identified with that party both north and south.
This is as it should be. 1t gives MS clearly TO
understand who are the apUloSists Of slavery ex-
tension. The tarin, homestead, finances, ov-
erything pertaining TO the cause OF free labor,
is superseded by the single question of slavery,
Since the foundation OF our republic, 1t has en-
tered into our uatonL pllt Q because the geu-
eral government has been almost cont inually
called upon to legislate in order to extend an!
perpetuate it,
There was first the compromises OF the Constl-
tuition made to proptiate some OF the slave states
and gain t heir consent to come into the Union.
But these did not quiet the agitation, because
more slave states were wanted, which is also the
great want of the present Then in process OF
time came the gigantic measure known us the
Missouri Compromise But that has since all
been unsettled, for more foreign territory was
was wanted out Of which to carve new slave
states aud at length the want for
more of these states became so urgent--ot least
in the eyes of Stephen A, Douglas, the present
champion of sectional party in the north
that solemn national compact, by which por
tion of the territory purchased from France was
consetratcl Ia Freedom had to he broken 900
The repeal OF the Missiouri Compromise in the
name aud under the guiso of popular sovereign
~, it was ulIedaea, would he settler for the
agitation on the subject of slavery But Doug
las attempt to throw Kansas into the embrace
of slavery for the sake Of his own personal az,
grendzemrnt, only increased that agitation in
tenfod degree Then came the English com
promise, or "swindle,' as declared by S, Cox in
letter to the Columbus democracy previous
TO its passage. To cap the climax. the CHI 81
author of this trouble, contcusion and strife,
having forced himself upon an unwilling con
vcnton--diydug the porly rather than surren.
der his claims SHOW comes before the people OF
the north, whom he has so shamcuy outraged
and asks their suiiiagcI in the name Of the geat
democratic parry!
We have only to take a retrospective view
of the dolngs OF our opponents in their various
conventions, to see couuptng and disease
ng,udyriug element, and this disease will con.
tinue TO manifest itself aud increase in viruenco
unti the system is purged and place within a
proper boundary.
Takng all the above facts into consideration.
we repeat thotthe great question now before the
American people--bcIore the people OF Ohio
is whether they endorse the doctrine OF The doc.
trne of the Dred Scott decision, which declares
that slavery exists in the territories by virtue OF
the constitution; or whether the territories shall
remain free and under the control OF the bona
fdc inhabitants This is the great leading issue
shat now comes up with significance too clear
80 be mistaken Ii is not hon slavery may be-
got rid OF, but whether it shall go into the ter.
riteries beyond the power of the people to pro-
hbt. On this point there can be but one sen.
timant among intelligent and unprcjuiiced men,
The people, as a mass, do not yej perhaps clear
lY apprehend The real question Of slavery as il
TINS stands in the present political sgtotiou;
but when they DO the means will not be- found
wanting TO accomplish what the popular will
DEGREES,
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