New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-08-22
CONSERVATISM OF ". n. SEWARD.

| VVWOSAVAVAUA ~ W. ne 49," A~AS
OF late the idea has become quite
prevalent that W. Fl. Seward is Of all
republicans, the most conservative.
We now have it thandered forth from
the Tribunes-dag and. little-and
from all the republican papers Through
the land that he is not an abo6tionist (;
that his only opposition to slavery il
against its extension into the Terrific
ries.
1t will he recollected that not
outstanding the idea Of such men as
Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and
jackson to the contrary, that the presi-
dent originated, and W. H. Seward re-
iterated tho dangerous and revolution
ary doctrine Of an 'lrrepressible Con.
flict" between the North and the South.
1t will also DO recollected by every
man Of intelligence, that he is tho orig.
in.tor Of the "Higher Law" doctrine
10 law at war with tho fundamental
principles Of constitutional liberty; q
doctrine that in its scope treaks down
the barriers Of the constitution and the
law, putting in their place tho con.
science snd opinions Of each individual
Of . community, State OF Nation.
We will now attempt to show our
readers the position Of Mr.. Seward upon
the slavery question BY few extracts
from his speeches and correspondence,
40 found compiled by Geo. e. Baker
in his life Of W. II. Seward and who
endorses the doctrine Of the "Higher
Law with Seward, giving it as his
opinion that it will be remembered and
spprovingly quoted as long as time
lasts
MIR. Seward says:
II shall stand on tho same ground l
now occupy, alsoays demanding the
ssSSg;t;on Of Slavery in america by
political argument and suffrage, and by
tlse.constitutional action Of all the pub
lie authorities" -(Vol. III, page Eta.
On the 26th Of October, 1848, while
addressing an .udience in Cleveland.
Ohio, Mr.. Seward said 1.-The FIRST
principle Of our duty % American citi-
zens 10 to preserve the integrity Of the
Union, Without the Union there
would be not only q want Of harmony
Of action, but collisions and conflicts
ending in anarchy or probably in des-
potism. This Unios must be a col
umtary one, and rot q compulsory
one. 4 Union upheld by force Is q
despotisns. A sirM princi-
pie is, that SLAVERY MUST BE
ABOLISHED. What, then, you say,
can nothing be done Tor freedom be
Cause the pubic conscience is inert 2
Yes, much can be housekeeping
can be done. Slavery can be limited,
it can be smeliorated, 1T CAN BE
AND MUST BE ABOLISHED. AND
YOU AND CAN AND MIST DO 1T -
|lvol. II, page 1884 S. Extend a
cordial welcome to the fugitive who
lays his weary limbs at your door, and
defend him - you would your paaernal
gods. Say to slavery. where it Shows
it's hand and demands tho pound Of
flesh, that If it draws one drop of blood
it's life shall psy The forfeit" -(vol. III,
page 3ol.
In . letter written to Salmon P,
Chase, the present Secretary Of the
Treasury, and others, on tho 18th Of
May, 1545, Mr.. Seward says :-'if
could at all attend . convention so dis
tant, I should not stop to enquire o.
whom it was composed. II ,ooasld b
enough that its design ,cas to pro
,'ote the abolition, of Slavery, an o.
ject ,ohose importance Is poransoun'
to that Of erery other a0hich engages
or can engage tie consideration q
the Anseriosr pecple."--[Vel. HI
page 40.
In q speech delivered in the Senate
Of the United States on September 18th
1850, Mr.. Seward says :-"I thixk Il
,orong to hold men IN bondage at an,
time and a1nder any circumstances
I think it right and just. therefore, t
abolish slavery when we have the pow
er, at any time, at all times, under
any circumstances" -Vol. I, page 1T
Comment is unnecessary. It il
known and acknowledged by all thai
such sentiments did not enter into tn.
formation Of the government, aud al
must sooner or later learn that it can
not be preserved by their adoption now
We leave it for tho White Men O
america to vindicate their superiorit,