The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-12-05


the Senate; 90 to Niles Register; GO
to Madison's Debates in the Con
venlion that formed tie Constitu
ton; read at every step OF our MA
tional progress, the fierce debate.
the war OF angry words that slave
rv has ever bced in our councils. =
When government was to bt
formed, there were those in that old
Convention who told their brethren
(and their words will not be forgot
ten } that slavery mnst not be recog
nized in that instrument. Mr..
Madison did not think it right 10
admit in the Constitution the idoa
that there could be property in man
The reason OF duties did not hold
as slaves are not like merchandise
consumed, but, notwithstanding the
prophetic warnings, expostnlations
and protests, it was admitted in
the representation and taxation
clause. It was otherwise admitted
in the obligation enforcing the rem.
dition Of Fugtives. Wise and good
men then. moved by conscientious
convictions most earnestly strove to
convince their fellows and the world f,
that i was plague spot, thinly COW
cred over, which would some day
produce corruption and gangrene
throughout the body polite. Then
it was that the struggle began. In
1890 it was sought to bring Nilsson
ri into the Confederacy as state,
abe seeking by her Constitution to
bar the set lement Of persons within
her territorial limits, who we're made
citizens by the laws Of other states;
thus setting al nanght an important
principle OF the Constitution -one
which blush to say, has been tram
pied upon by some Of the free states
since that time. Then it was that
the fierce advocates Of slavery,
VIII u argument had failed; when
the strong reasoning and overpow
ering eloquonce of such men as Pick
ney, Lowndes, McDntf AMI Benton,
had failed to convince the country
of the correctness of their positions;
that disunion WAS threatened; the
Constitution itsel assailed. Slavery
roared rampant through the Ii a,ls Of
Legislation, setting Covenants and
Conslitutions.at defiance, demanding g
the success Of their measure or the
disruption OF the Government.
In 1850 slavery demands the free
state OF California, and again loudly
threatens the dissolution Of the
Union the whole country trembles
for the integrity of the Government
In 1854. another battle with Sla
very is to be fought; and freedom is
for time vanquished in the repeal
OF the Missouri Compromise. The
settlement OF Kansas renews the
contest, and but for the great efforts
Of one man TO save her, Kansas would
this day have been rebel state, in
arms against the government. Bu
Douglas, in whom portion of the
people had lost COZ filence, in 1854
rose in that old Senate HALL, in tn,
majesty OF his Herculean mind anC
said it was not Tor this that by my
vote and my influence, aided yor
in the repeal of the Compromise; il
was that the people who are to get
tie this new territory should become
the arbi,ers Of their own politica
destiny-and go it shall be-aud st
it was; but MT until aft hlooi haC
stained the virgin soil OF Kansas. -
Civil war had d, solated her infan
settlem 'nts and tire parent govern
ment had been shaken again to ia
neither foundation stone. This was
a blow at the slavery propagandiats
nevor forgotten, and though it rob
bed that great man OF Presidential
honors, it is the brightest star il
that refulgent crown, which lleav
en- grant, he this day wears, where
war andstrife is never heard.
1t may be inferred from what
have already said that | reg rd thu
election OF Republican President al
, the proximate cause of the r. belion
. 1t may have been; but slavery wa
the prime cause OF that election. -
But once in the whole history 0
the Republic, has any other caus'
arisen to threaten the pernanenc'
OF our institutions
La 1892, the nullific alton OF tin
, revenue laws by South Carolina
, threatened serious evils to tho gov
, ernment bnt thank God, in tina
/, day he who held the helm Of tho olC
, ship of state, did not search in vail
? in the Constitution, for power to pu
, down the insurrcction OF rebellion
. state. Ii the Constitution lackot
= anything in letter, the spirit wa
= there. Jackson was in hinaoli
tower OF strength, and we'll di
q so ath Carolina nullifiers know,
''rhat his sword from the sleep
q OF its .Gdbhard would laap,'
to drink tn, traitors bloll, VIII
f dare assault the temple of liberty. -
h But let me, for one moment, inquire
: Was not this notification, rebellion
the Legitimate progeny OF slavery' =
n The doctrine that cotton was Kin
y had already Infused itself in tn
i public mind. Cotton is the produ'