The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-02-16

Progress % the slavery AGitsttsn.
We have followed the history Of the slave.
nv agitation, which, according to the proph-
ecy OF jackson, was to be seized upon by
the nullifcrs after the suppretsion of the
South Carolina rebellion, down to lS49.-
OF that year. Col. Benton says: "The last
days OF Mr.. Polk's Administration were wit
ness to an ominous demonstrating less
than nightly meetings Of large numbers Of
members from the slave States to consider
the state Of things between the North and
the Sou.h-to show the incompatibilisy OF
their UnioD-and to devise measures for the
protection md defence of the South" These
meetings resulted in the publication OF
manifesto designed "to in1ame the Southern
heart" and unite the slave States upon the
negro question. The address sets forth that
the object of the sgners was to present to
the consideration Of the South tho most i'm
porsant subject ever presented for their con-
sideration, to wit: "The conflict between
the two great sections Of the Union, growing
out Of difference of feeling and opinion in
reference to the relation existing between
the two races, the European and African,
which iDhabit the Southern section, and the
acts OF aggression and encroachment to
which it has led. The conflict commenced
not long after the Acknowledgement OF our
independence" &c. The address goes on to
declare that it 10 the object OF the North to
emsncipste the slaves Of the South, and to
raise them not only to legal equality with
their masters, but to make them in the South
"the principal recipients OF Federal Offices
and patronage" by which they would sbs
raised above the whites OF the South in the
political and social SCALE" Such was de-
clared to be the purpose, not simply Of the
Aboliiionists, but Of the people Of the North
ern States By this infamous manifesto OF
Calhoun and his confederates. The address
closed with On carnest appeal for q united
South and the sundering Of oil political ties
that had tendency to prevent union on
the slavery question with q very significant
intimstion that other ties also must be event.
ually sundered in the Same interest. The
manifesto was signed by most of the Seua-
tors from the Cotton States and BY Mason
and Hunter of Virginia and some other Sem
ators from the northern slave States, togeth-
er with . number of Representatives from
the same States.
On the heels OF this pronunciamento, which
Was intended to produce a united South for
that very emergency, came tho application
Of California for admission into the Union
with free State Constitution. The CAL
hounites, who bad increased and multiplied
but did not quite include united South,
opposed her admission, and demanded tina,
she should be converted into slave State
by the Lecompton process. Dsunion,
secession and the horrors Of civ! war were
loudly threatened un!es. the South was al
lowed Der rights. Toe passion for compro
mise, when there was nothing fairly to bt
compounded, once more prevailed ia Con.
gress, and the result was q partial and tenn.
porarv pacifcation. Thus again in 1850. a.
In 1883, concessions we're made to the threats
OF traitors. and a hollow truce, purchased
from conspirstors at the sacrifice OF the dig.
nifty Of the Government. The submission OF
the part OF the North in these cases was TIL
moro unnecessary and unfortunate from tn,
Tact that popular military men OF the South
OF great nerve aud patriotism, occupied th
Presidential chair, and we're beth willing ar,
able 10 maintain the authority and ln,egrit
OF the Government without the aid OF com
promisers.
MIR. Calhoun was too feeble to take a YER
active part in the discussion 10 the Senate
but an elaborate speech Of his WAS read b
Senator Mason. in which oil and more tina
Gil tho evils and aggressions complained D
nov, and attributed to the Republican par.
by the secessiunists and their sympathizcr.
were charged on the North. That speech va
the great and closing disunion effort Of hi
life, and proclaimed that the South woul
secede and destroy the Union, unless sh
were secured in en- equal power with tn
North 10 the Government. The North ha
more than twice the white population OF III
South, and Calhoun's ultimasum was thu
some plan should be devised BY which Ii
minority OF nine millions should have ecu,
power with the N ajority Of nineteen mlIion
de was for q DEMONSTRATION Of the Govern
ment'' and . Fundamental change OF III
Genstitutton 1hich would enable the oiigaI
oily Of slave l1ers to control the masses I
she people for Gil time to como, and be =,
serted that unless such change we're mad
dissolution was inevitable.
The Senators OF the South, with three |
four exceptions, voted to divide the State
Caiifornia and make a slave and a free Sta
out OF the territory, while the people Of tn