The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-15


she would have withstood the shock and re
PEELED barbarian cruelty. But when the mind:
of men have become so debased as to behold
plunder and rapine with fiendish delight, when
those to whom are entrusted the reins of gov
ernment, have not the good of the whole ma
ton at heart, but glory in corruption and in
trigue. the destiny of that nation is sealed-hel
downfall inevitable. his truth is confirmed
in the recorded annals of bygone ages. At the
instigation of the tyrant. Nero, the Eternal
City, for nine days was wrapped in a confa
grafton, and that detestablc scourge, to view
the heart rendins scene, assembled lofty tower
"and amused himself with singing the destruc
ton of Troy" Faction in the last days OF
Roman glory ruled the hour. Licentiousness
knew no limits, fraud grinned in hellish mock
cry before the shrine of justice. Personal ag
grandizement was purchased ut the sacrifice ol
innocence; every requirement of the constitu
ton vas unheeded, every established usage
subverted, and murder sought no more the COW
er of darkness. The Empire of the Caesars
rent by internal connections, the barbarian
hordes, no longer dread her name. Her ship
of state is drifted on shoals and sandbars, and
herself the cause. Poland is now fettered in
the chains of slavery. The world may mourn
for her misfortune and weep for her cruel fate
But in her struggle for freedom, wise policy
was not transcendent. Domestic discord sent
forth its jarring notes, and the blood of mar
tyred patriots but served to conceal the folly
of many of her ignoble sons. Look, too, at
Spain, tic South American Republics, and
Mexico, and why are they tottering, soon to be
launched into that void where all the nations
of antiquity have gone? The voice which
comes from the tomb of buried Empires
and Kingdoms-thc voice which gasping ma
tions now send forth echoes in thunder tones
the truth, tha, governments only can be main
tained, where every requirement of law is
faithfully observed. Shall these truths have
no effect upon our minds? Can governments
be perpetuated which are not sustained by
fidelity? Could you call from the tomb, the
sages, stoics, philosophers, and statesmen of
every age, and ask such question, all would
cry out, never. Then, ye American citi-
zens. think where you stand, when you calm
ly declare, that rather than carry out an i'm
posed obligation of law, you would serenely
behold the halls of the national capitol iliumed
by the torch of the incendiary, and these fer
til plains crinsoned with the blood of breth-
ren But we take leave of this part of the
subject. Where do circumstances show we
are drifting? May We not observe in the
signs of the times, onens of threatring
character to our free institutions? That spi-
rit which pervaded the minds of the fathers of
the Republic seems to have departed. SIN
dignantly frown upon the first dawning of ev-
cry attempt to ALLEVIATE one section of the
country from the other, or to enfeeble the sa-
cred ties which now link together the various
parts" has lost its potency, and the actions of
some men prove, that they would rejoice if
that patriotic sentiment was enshrined with
its author on the bank Of the Potomoc. For
forty years party strife has ragged, heatad politi
cal passion has often threatened us with dire
consequences. but until within few years, the
clamor of partizanship has been allayed by
the decision Of the people at the ballot box.
The excitemcnts were but trausitory, and when
the object they were intended to subserve
was decided, they were hushed How differ
ent in more recent times! In 1850, the storm
which impended, betokened the approach of
evil to our nation. Its low rumbling was
to exert every power in defence of our insti-
tutions. The murmuring from every part of
the Republic was heard by the aged sage
Henry Clay, seeming to call him from his re-
tirement. He responded to the voice of his
and once more mingled with his as
sociates in the nat:opal councils. They adopt
ed measures allaying the troubled clements
Harmony seemed once more restored-thegloom
dispelled. Until 1854, peace in a measure
reigned, plumed in the beautiful attire of
fraternal affection. Then the spread of our
. population in the national domain demanded
legislation. A majority of assembled Con-
sressmen acquesced in the passage of the exam
'as Nebraska Bill" But did the will of the
majority settle the question:! The confusiopS
If the times, answers, no. 81
Apparently spirit had been slumbering in
ome portions of the North, requiring only
ouch to be aroused. No sooner had the prin
iple of selfgovernment been established for
he Territories, than the battle cry of the fe-
onious advocates of anarchy was sounded,
rousing the demons of civil war to grid on
heir weapons of bitter, damning hate against
he Southern portion of our Union. Infam-
natory sentiments were promulgated, and hos
lie movements openly avowed. Aggression
vas then the watchword in New England.
Not content with the ordinary course of emf
grafton, many are indu ed to take up arms
ind march to that lovely Territory beyond the
rolling flood, to battle with their
'rethren. On those delightful prairies, where
eemed to bloom Elysian flowers, were collected
ettlers from every part of the Union. Thi-
her the husband and father had conducted his
rife and children, seeking home, as he fond.
v dreamed far beyond the reach of any foe,