Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-07-09
Slavery Destroyed.

Slavery Destroyed.
That the institution of slavery has already
received a severe blow in this country, in
consequence of the rebellion, is unquestion-
able. So severe, that many consider that 1t
is entirely destroyed; but there is power
still left in it, and wise councils must prevail
in the land to completely crush it out 1t
has lately shown itself in Congress, on the
vote to repeal the fugitive slave ANYWHERE
the democrats voted in solid phalanx against
repeal-and in the effort to amend the Con-
stitution so as to prohibit slavery in the coun-
try-where the measure failed for the want
of a two-third's vote 1t will have a strong
party for long time, making every effort to
save it. That it will fall, before the country
can have permanent peace, we entertain no
doubt; but it will require true and wise men
at the helm-men of nerve, to accomplish
the great work. The Missouri Democrat, in
an article on this subject, discusses 1t thus:
"Wehave had in this country oflate sever
al convocations of politicians, who have un-
- -
nation. All these parties have met with a
most formidable difficulty in the slavery
question. 1t has proved too large matter
to ignore, while taking position with refer
ence to it has required no small amount OF
moral courage. To declare against slavery
has demanded high order of political hero
ism, and to declare for it under existing cir
cumstances, is looked upon by shrewd politi-
clans as equally perilous. In this emergency
the embarrassment of which can be readily
appreciated-a happy expedient has sugges-
ted itself to some of the politicians-being
nothing less than strategic movement for
thanking the knotty question, which has been
executed by declaring that slavery is already
" destroyed" OF course, if slavery is dead,
there is no use of either taking position
for or against it. It's out of the way, and
there is practically no longer any such thing
as either anti-slavery or pro-slaveryism. So
to escape the necessity of showing their hands
of avowing themselves either for or against
the institution-the political trimmers allud-
ed to have written it down in their platforms,
and published it to the world as destroyed"
This they did in a convention recently held
in this city, where both professed anti slavery
and pro-savery men met, their object being
to secure the support of both anti-slavery
and pro-slavery voters. The same thing was
done in another meeting of recent date in
Cleveland, where the odds and ends of sew
eral parties, which have occupied very differ
ent positions upon the slavery question, came
together, and where to take a position one
way or the other was consequently extremely
embarrassing, if not impossible. So to avoid
committal they wrote down that "slavery
was destroyed" which, meaning nothing, was
equivalent to taking no position. The phrase
in itself is false, and its use, under the cir
cumstances and in the present crisis of the
nations peril, is cowardly, but then it is
trick of politicians, and lit politics as in war,
the saying is, that all's fair.
But little did those political strategists,
who thus placarded the demise of slavery,
while three millions of men and women were
yet wearing its chains, probably think how
speedily the contradiction would be given to
their words, in way which none could mis-
understand. The contradiction, however, has
come. In the Congress of the United States
two important questions involving the exis-
tence of slavery have arisen, and been decid-
ed upon. One was proposition for the re-
peal of the Fugitive Slave Law, and with a
single exception, every Democrat-the De-
mocracy having been the pro-slavery party of
the country-voted against IL, thus deciding to
stand by slavery, for which, were it already
destroyed, there would of course have been
no necessity. The other was proposition
for the amending of the Constitution, SO as
really to destroy slavery, and wlsich rGs defeat
ed By slavay's friends. When we thus see the
institution welding such power in the coun-
ellis of the nation, what folly to talk about it
being " destroyed"
No, no, slavery is not destroyed in this
country. 1t is now defying, as it has defed
for the last three years, the entire military
power of the government. And even if the
army of the Union succeed, as we believe
it will, it does not follow that slavery is "de-
stroyed." So far from such being the case,
that party which is now known as the Demo-
cracy, including not a few of those who are
now talking the most fippantly about slavery
being dead, will at once insist upon the ac-
acknowledgement of the right to hold slaves as
one of the conditions of settlement. This
battle with slavery does not end with the re.
bellion. 1t is an institution which is not
destroyed" by the breath of a political
convention, nor even by the fiery blast of
battle. 1t is wonderfully tenacious of life.
1t will require wise, prudent, brave legisla-
ton to make an ending of it. Now in what
condition will those parties be, who have
subscribed to the doctrine that slavery is al
ready destroyed" to engage in this contest?
They will be like men who have thrown away
their swords True, they may plead they
meant nothing by their assertion, but then
why make it? 1t is dangerous to take a
false position in such vital matter. 1t may
deceive some-it may disarm others. The
truth would, under all circumstances, be in
fnitely better"
TO convert an artless woman into q
heartless one, there. only wants "he."