The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-04-20
The London Times ON Senator Seward.

.
| The following is the leading article of the
Times, relating to Senator Stewards speech,
referred to in our last telegraphic summary
of foreign news:
"ln speech delivered by Mr.. Seward, in
the American Senate, on the question of the
admission of Kansas, We think that the first
dawning Of more friendly feeling may be
discerned. Mr.. Seward is, We believe, now
taken as the representative Of the Republi-
can party, and their candidate for the Presi-
dency. His opinions on the great question
of the day have consequently an Importance
which it is easy to estimate. The speech on
the admission of Kansas is able, and even
eloquent; it has apparently been accepted
by the speakers party as true exposition
of their sentiments, and has been replied to
by his opponents with an energy which is
complimentary to his merits.
That It will tend to soften the asperity
which still prevails is probable; but this ef-
feet will not be produced by any want of
trmness in It's tone or clearness in its priu-
ciples. Mr.. Seward is no trimmer lie is
stanch anii-slavery man, and his speech is
the most forcible attack on slavery ,ha, has
been made for long time. But it will tend
to concord, because it avoids passion and ac-
rlmony. 1t may be read and assented to by
an enlightened slave owner it will command
the assent of political economists, as we'll as
the sympathy of the philanthrop:c and relig-
ious world.
In the discussions on slavery in this coun-
try We know not which most TO wonder at
the ignorance Of the enthusiasts as to the
history and the present state of the institu-
ton, or their hopefulness of accomplishing
great material change BY mt ans of sentiment
tai agitation. Mr. Seward, as a preface to
his opinions on the state of the Union, gives
sketch of the rise of the slave-owning pow.
er, showing the difficulties with which prac-
teal politicians have to eal.difiicultes which
the Abolitionist body have ignored, to the
lasting injury Of their cause The fathers
OF the American Republic, saws the speaker,
had 10 deal with double system.
In one part Of the country they found
man as a laborer for himself, in the other as
laoorer for his owner. Tney knew that
the one state of thi?gs was good, and the
other evil; they condemned the practice Of
slavery. and they hoped for its discontinu-
anee. But they were Obliged to recognize it,
and 10 establish constitution on tie basis
Of giving owners votes in right of their
slaves, and that slave escaping in free
State shall be given up to the person who
has legal claim to him. These principles
have been used by the slave owners to gain
fresh power in the Union. The new States
IN the valley of the Mississippi were the bat
t.e-sround Of the rival systems.
The Free States have endeavored TO treat
slavery Is local custom, TO be tolerated mere
ly southwark Of a certain parallel, while the
/ >lare-owners have during whole generation
sought 10 establish the universally of their
peculiar institution, and to make the servi-
tude OF the African race recognized princi-
pie even in those States where it was not
carried into practice. Which party has been
successful, need not be said. In every strug-
gle the slave owners have had the advantage
They have abolished the Compromise line,
they have passed the Fugitive Slave bill, and
the, have obtained the bred Scott decision,
which declares that no person Of African de-
scent can be citizen of the United States
They have thus made the institution of
slavery, TO a certain degree, co-extensive with
the Union. This success is attributed by
Mr.. Seward 10 the earnestness Of the slave
owners. their determination TO win at all
hazards, their disregard for the Interests of
the mon. and their consciousness that their
opponents were more patriotic than them
selves. That Ii is easy TO combine the capi-
tai (slaves) States in defense of even exter-
nal interests. while il is hard to unite the la
Dor ('rse) States in common policy; and
lha; the labor States have a natural LOYALTY
to the Union, while the capital States have
natural facility for alarming that LOYALTY BY
threatening disunion,' the speaker takes to
be propositions made evident by past legisla-
ton.
/ The Republican party, says Mr.. s., protest
against This domination. Without attacking
the rights of the southerrers or approving
the enterprise of Brown, they rebel against
the Jic;aticu which the sla,e-owning party
have exercised for years. A majority of the
people in the North he declares to belong to
/ this party, which has, as it were, been crea-
led by the asgre>sions Of the South. Prac-
tically, then. North and South are III antago-
nsm. Yet the war is carried on by the one
party openly. fairly. constiu,ionall!, and as
BELTS civilized and self-governed men-by
the other ii is waged by means of violence
and prescription. a party Of Democratic
slave owners might come and hold meeting
in the midst of any free state. Extend to
US the same privileges and will engage that
YOU will very soon have in the South as ma
ny Republicans as We have Democrats at the
l. shsa csr hntxr