The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-02-29

From the Lafayssss Glad. } Journal tRspusueaa.,
That Resolution.
The Convention on Saturday adopted the
following resolution, reported BY . commit
tee comporsed Of DR.. J. B. Mcfarland, G..
S. Orth, VIM. c. Wilson, w. r. Ellis and
R. c. Gregory:
"Resolved, That American slavery is a
sin against God at war with every enno-
bling sentiment Of humanity; whitening
blight upon our prosperity; curse to the
white man and to the black its continu-
ance is living disgrace to our age and ma.
ton, and the day Of its utter extinction will
be hailed as the proudest epoch in Ameri-
can history that while we claim no power
to interfere with slavery in the states where
it exists, we are unalterably opposed to its
further extension" ...
We can see no propriety in the enuncia.
ton Of anathemas and epithets against
slavery where it exists under the Constitu-
ton, by party claiming to be national--
The resolution is inconsistent in itself, for
If I'VE claim no power to interfere with
slavery in the States" there is an evident
improperly in denouncing It in the un-
measured terms of the resolution. Inter-
ference by words is unnecessary, if we do
not intend to interfere by acts.
The error in this matter is the incorpora-
ton into party platform Of any sentiment
upon which, as 4 party, We do not intend
to act. The tendency Of the doctrines OF
the Republican party, not its avowed inten-
tons. is alleged as the evidence Of its sec.
tionalism If such resolutions as this one
are adopted into State and National plat.
forms, the charge is just and the fear well
founded. Why should party which in
tends solely to resist the extension Of slave.
rv, resolve that sits continuance is living
disgrace to our age and nation?" Why
should = party that rcpudiates John Brown,
resolve that 1.-THE day of its utter extinction
will be hailed as the proudest epoch in
American history ?" Why, If 1--WE claim
no power to interfere with slavery in the
States" do we constitute ourselves the keep.
ers of the morals of the nation, and resolve
that American slavery is sin against God?''
Does the Republican party propose to inau-
gurate religious crusade against the South
What good purpose does it subserve for
= Northern party, claiming respect for the
Constitution, to march its forces right up to
Mason & Dixon's line and there vociferate
slavery is sin against God; at war with
every ennobling principle Of humanity; q
whitening blight upon our prosperity; q
curse to the white man and to the black
its continuance is disgrace to our age and
nation, and the day of its utter extinction
will be hailed as the proudcst epoch in Amer.
lean history" but still, I'VE claim no DOW.
er to interfere with it!' Such bravado as
this is but the language Of the coward. The
most foolish, a. well as the most inconsist
ent thing an individual OF party can do, i.
to use high and lofty words Of daring, a
the same time admitting there is no chance
for fight; to insist that it is sinful not te
fight, but unconstitutional to fight; that
nothing but the national Constitution pre-.
vents the removal Of national disgrace
One cannot but think that those individuals
who regard slavery as living disgrace "a
our nation, and also sin against God, are
using the old Constitution for very shabby
purpose. If that venerable institution i
the only obstacle to the removal of sin
against God and national disgrace, why
profess any regard for it? Why not abate
the nuisance at oncep
Respect for the rights of sister States is
not to be cultivated by denunciations ot
them. The inevitable tendency of such
proclamations is evil. If the burden of on,
song is slavery is a sin," a "national dis
grace" "withering blight. it is not to be
wondered at that here and there some prac.
tical Abolitionist mistakes it for the battle.
cry. A party calling upon '.all those op
posed to the doctrines and policy of the
present Federal Administration" "without
regard to past party associations" should
not announce as its sentiment, opinions upon
any abstract questions not involved neces.
sar,ly in the contest The most ultra Abo
litionist can vote for the non-extension o.
slavery into territory now free, yet it by nc
means follows that every Republican and
opponent of the Administration can resolve
that its continuance is lasting disgrace t
our age and nation. We do not regard the
continuance Of slavery as disgrace to oul
nation. The Republican party having de-
ciared it sectional, how can it be held by
that party national disgracel The true
Republican doctrine is simply that of non.
extension into Territories now free. sG
Its adherents have quite enough to do Il
show the American people that territory &C
quired by the joint blood and treasure q
the Southern and Northern States, should
not be equally and fairly divided between
them. Quite enough without running of
into irrcvclant questions not At issue. Dec
lamation may answer as medium for indi
vidual opinion, but is not the safest plar
for the enunciation Of the principles upor
| which party proposes to act "Mind your
own business" is as good maxim in poll
tics as anywhere else. Good manners Al
well as good morals prompt us to silence il
regard to the local institutions Of neighbor
ing States. Slavery is their institution
their sin and disgrace, If disgrace atall, not
ours. Abuse Of the institution, where II
exists constitutionally, inevitably strength
ems it, and retards the very object Of ths
abuser. It does not follow, because friend
has 4 horror Of clean linen, that public
resolution denouncing dirty shirts IS the
best way to improve his appearance or tenn
per. il is most apt to do neither. but rath'
cr to induce him to swear. in his wrath, that
the care of his wardrobe Is right secured
to HIM by tho Constitution, and that dirty
shirts are decidedly preferable to any othe,
kind. 81 ''e.
A Coon WITNESS Hon. Lewis Cass, ou,
present Secretary of State. and one Of the
oldest men in his country's service, gives
this valuable testimony: Il y s ed aye
have never tasted spirits in my life, and
therefore know that they can be dispensed
with. Probably few men have undergone
more fatigue than have. The most active
portion Of my life was spent in . new coun.
A. Al = -R AsA