The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-09-12
FOR MEMBER OF BOARD OF rpucAT.aH
HENRY X. EDISON,
LEE.
-
THE OLD PROPHETS

Our contemporary sneers, because W
attribute this war to Slavery, and regar,
1t as a judgment of Heaven, upon tn,
land. 1t is possible that We may be mis-
taken in our views, but cur cotemporar,
will be constrained to admit that we are
in good company.
Col. Mason, next to Washington, the
most distinguished and beloved of Vir.
ginians of the olden time, while member
Of the Convention that formed the Con-
stltution, made speech against slavery
from which we clip the following extract.
He said
"The present question concerns moi
the importing States alone, but the whole
Union. Slavery dscouragcs arts and
manufactures. The poor despise labor
when performed by slaves. They pre-
vent the emigration of whites, who really
enrich and strengthen country. They
produce the most pernicious effect on
manners. Every master of slaves is born
petty tyrant. They bring the iudg-
ment OF Heaven on country. As ma.
uons cannot be rewarded or punished in
the next world, they must be in this
By an inevitable CLAIM Of causes and eff
fects, Providence Furnishes national sins
by national calamilies."
Every American is familiar with The
prophecy of Jefferson, who said:
Can the liberties of nation be tho't
secure. when we have removed their ON.
iy firm basis-a conviction in the minds
OF the people, that their liberties are the
gift OF God, and that they are not to be
violated but by his WRATH Indeed |
tremble for my country, when | reflect
that God Is just, and that his justice
cannot sleep forever
William Pinckuey, by all odds the
greatest name of which Maryland can
boast:
ubiquitous and most dishonorsbls to
Maryland, is that dreary sy stem of par
tial bondage which the laws have hitherto
supported with solicitude worthy of a
better object, and her citizens, by their
practice countenanced. Founded in a
disgraceful traffic. to which the rarent
country lent its fostering aid, from mo-
tives OF interest, but which even che
would have disdained to encourage, had
England been the destined mart Of such
lnhuman merchandise, it's continuance Is
as shameful as it's origin.
II HAVE NO HOPE THAT Tun STRIP.
OF GENERAL LIBERTY WILL FOREVER FLOW
UNPoLLUrED THROUGH THE AIRE orpAn-
TlAL BONDAGE, OR THAT THEY wHoHAvr
BEEN HABITUArED TO LORD TT ovEp
OTHERS, WILL NOT, IN TINE, BECOME BAsx
ENOUGH TO LET OTHERS LORD TT ovrp
THEM. If THEY RESIST, 1T WILL RE THE
STRUGGLE OF PRIDE AND sEIrIsunrss ror
PRINCIPLE
These views of the most eminent men
OF our country, with which ours are in
entire accordance, ought to relieve them
from the imputation Of being the mere
emanation of our contracted political
vlslon,' and to secure fer them.-thg
calm consideration Of thoughtful minds
Mason and Jefferson were not fanatics
'hey were profound statesmen and philos.
ophers' aud they apprehended that the
laws OF nature and Of God, would event
uaiiy bring punishment and calamities To
nations and peoples who lived in constant
violation of those laws.
Our contemporary insists that the c.l.m-
tiles OF the country are due to tho oppo-
nents OF slavery. and he would punish
them as the authors Of our troubles. In
this he follows the example of the Jews
who murdered Jesus Christ Tor charging
nome their sins upon them and calling
them to repent of and forsake them.
When Gen. Pope was appointed to tho
command Of the Army Of Virginia, Gen.
fremont refused to serve undar h;,,