Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-02


measures were taken for the adjustment of
slavery in several states. The declaration in
serted in the Massachusetts bill OF rights that
call men are born tree and equal" was de-
cided in 1888 to prohibit slavery. Personal
freedom was granted by similar clause in
the second constitution of New Hampshire to
all born in that state after its adoption. An
act Of the Pennsylvania assembly of l7S0for-
babe the further introduction of slaves and
gave freedom to all persons thereafter born in
! that states. Like edictS were enactedin Con-
nccticut and Rhode ISlandin 1884. Virginia,
and soon afterwards Maryland, prohibited i'll
| l77S the further introduction of slaves, and
in 1882 repealed the old colonial statute for
bidding emancipation, which repeal remained
in force ten years. New York and Jersey also
prohibited the introduction of slaves about the
same time, but emancipation was not declared
| in those states until about 1899. Slavery did
not cease in New York until 1880, and not
until afterwards in New Jersey. In 1856 an
act was passed in North Cnrollna declaring
the bringing of slaves into that state to be 'of
evil consequence and highly impolitic.' Geor-
gia and South Carolina did not join in the
general demonstration"
So the work went on. Everywhere the
predominant influences were against slavery.
Franklin honored throughout the land was
| president of an emancipation society. Jeffer-
son, the philosopher and oracle Of democracy,
| portrayed the antagonism between slavery
and free institutions. Distinguished patriot
statesmen, north and south, controlled by the
convictions and the enthusiasm that had car
ried them through the seven years struggle
for freedom, declared in favor of universal
emancipation. The tide of noble sentiment
swept through every state, with less effect in
| South Carolina and Georgia than elsewhere,
| but everywhere invigorating the purpose to
make the land entirely free for all. And if
there had come no check to this movement, if
that purpose had been fully carried out, what
a grand, united, and glorious ration this
would be- And what power it would have to
| direct the march Of civilization and sustain
the cause of popular rights throughout the
world!
| But this movement encountered in the
south small class of men who had never
been earnest in. behalf of democratic ideas.
1t worked more slowly there, and fingered,
until there came the next generation, with
| much less of the old revolutionary cnthusi-
asm. Then followed the invention of the cot
tba
slaves so immensely profitable. The tide
turned in the south. Slavery grew again in
strength, transformed the political sentiment
and social condition of many southern COM
munities, was organized as an aggressive po-
litical power, and, finally, in 1920, appeared
in Congress and triumphed there as propo-
| gandist.
Since that time it has pursued its aggressive
policy with activity, persistence and audacity
scarcely ever paralleled; it has controlled the
| government, to greater or less extent, for
| more than forty years; and from 1852 to the
close of Buchanan's Administrations the gov
eminent was entirely in the hands of the most
rabid and INSCRIPTIONS slavery extremists,
who finally organized the rebellion because
it had become certain that their control of the
| government could not be permanent. 1t is
| plain now to every thoughtful observer of the
strife, that either slavery or the republic must
be destroyed. The President, feeling that
the destruction of slavery in the rebel ststes
| has become indispensable as war measure,
rings the liberty bell. May its tones confound
rebellion, re-annimate patriotism, and awaken
the whole land to higher life.