Year: 1860

Gregory


Resolved, That American slavery is a


sin against God; at war with every emo
bling sentiment Of humanity; a witheriug
blight upon our prosperity; curse to the
white man and to the black, its continuance
is living disgrace to our age and nation.
and the day of its utter extinction will be
hailed as the proudest epoch in American
history; that while we claim no power to
interfere with slavery in The States in
which it exists. we are unalterably oppos-
ed to its further extension.


| We can see no propriety in the enunca-
tions of anathemas and epilhets against
slavery where it exists under the Conslitu


tion, by party claiming to be pational.--
The resolution is inconsistent in itself, for
if we claim no power to interfere with
slavery in the States there is an evident
impropriety in denouncing it in the un-
measured terms of the resolution. Inter
ference by words is unnecessary, if we do
not intend to interfere by acts.


The error in this matter is the incorpo
ration into party platform of any ssnti-
ment upon which, as party we do not IN
tend to act. The tendency of tie doctrines
of the Republican party, not its avcwed
intentions. IS alleged as the evidence Of it's
sectionalism. If such resolutions as this
one are adopted into State and national plat
forms. the charge is Just and the fear well
founded. Why should party which IN
tends sole to resist the extension OF slavery.
resolve that its continuance is a living dis
grace to our age and nation! Why should
a party that repudiates John Brown resolve
that day of its utter extinction will be
hailed as the prondest epoch in American
history?' Why, if we claim no power
to interfere with slavery in the States do
we constitute ourselves the keepers of the
nation, and resolve that American slavery
is sin against God?' Does the Repub
lican party propose to inaugurate relig-
ious crusade against the South?


What good purpose does it subserve for
a northern party. claiming respect for the
Constitution, to march its forces right up
to Mason & Dixon's line and there vocif-
crate slavery is sin against God; at war
with every ennobling principle of human
ity;a withering blight upon our prosperity;
cuase 10 the white man and the black; its
continuance is disgrace to our age and
nation. and the day of its utter extinction
will be hailed as the proudest epoch in
American history but still, we claim no
power to interfere with it' Such bravado
as this is but the language Of the coward.
The most foolish, as well as the most in
consistent thing an individual or a party
can do, is to use high and lofty words Of
daring. at the same time admitting that
there is no chance for fight; to insist that
al 10 ii hit that nothing but the national con-
stituion prevents the removal of a nation
al disgrace One cannot bat think that
those individuals who regard slavery as a
living disgrace 10 our nation. and also a
sin against God. are using the old consti
tuIion for very shabby purpose. If that
venerable institution is the only obstacle
to the removal of sin against God and
national disgrace. why profess any regard
for il? Why not abate the nuisance at
once?


Respect for the rights of sister States is
not to be cultivated by denunciations OF
them. The inevitable tendency of such
proclamation is evil. If the burden Of our
song is slavery is sin national dis
grace, and whitening blight it is not
TO be wondered at that here and there some
practical abolitionlsts mistakes it for the
bait cry. A party calling upon 'all those
opposed to the doctrines and policy of the
present Federal Administration, without
regard t. past party associations should
not announce as its sentiment opinions up
on any abstract questions not involved nec-
essariy in the contest. The most ultra alb
olitionist can vote for the non-extension of
slavery into territory now free, yet 1t by
no means follows that every Republican
and opponent Of the Administration can
resolve that its continuance isa lasting dis
grace to our aye and nation. We do not
regard tine continuance of slavery as dis
grace TO our nation The Republican party
having declared it sectional how can it be
held by that party national disgrace.-
The true Republican doctrine is simply and
solely nonextenslon into territories now
free. It's adherenls have quite enough to
do TO show to the American people that
territory acquired by the joint blood and
treasure Of Southern and Northern States.
should not be equally and fairly divided
between them. Qui,e enough without run
ming off into irreveleut questions not at
issue. Defamation may answer as me-
dunn for individual opinion. but is not the
safest plan for the enunciation OF the prin-
cipes upon which party proposes to act.
Mind your own business is as good a
maxim in politics as anywhere else. Good
manners promt us to silence in regard To
the local institutions of neighbering States.
Slavery is their institution, their sin and
disgrace. il disgrace at ALL not ours. Abuse
Of the institution. where it exists constItu-
tionally. inevitably strengthens 1t and re
lards the very object of the abuser. 1t
does not follow because a friend has hor-
ror Of clean linen that public resolution
denouncing dirty shirts is the best way to
improve his appearance or temper. It is
most apt to do neither. but rather to induce
him to swear, in his wrath. that the care
Of his wardrobe Is a right secured to him