Year: 1861


found on the first page of our Daily. The
meeting seems to have been chiefly under
the control of gentlemen of decided pro-
slavery instincts. The Messrs. Smith and
Mr.. Maynard, particularly, as between the
North and South, would doubtless go with
the South all the time from sympathy, no
matter how much she might be in the
wrong. This is shown by the sixth resolu-
ton, which they seem to have been chiefly
instrumental in getting through.


The Cannelton Reporter states that great
fault has been found with that resolution,
because it Is wrong in spirit and uncalled-
for under the circumstances The Reporter
justihes its passage.


Although the resolution passed by large
majority, from the opposition it met with it
is rendered certain that all of Perry county
do not hold that d" if line is to be drawn
between the North and the South, that line
shall be found north of US"


It has been frequently stated Of late
here, by some of the opponents of the Re-
publican party, that in case of dissolution
of the Union, Southern Indiana would go
with the South; that her material interest
is with the South; and that the sympathies
of majority of her people are with that
section. There was never a greater mis-
representation and mistake The majority
of the people of Southern Indiana would be
found with the North in such an event, be-
cause their interests are the interests
of free labor, and their preferences
are altogether in that line. They
have plainly presented to them by ocular
demonstration the deplorable effects of un-
requited, compulsory, servile, degraded la
Dor in their neighboring State, Kentucky
and they see that Notwithstanding all her
very superior advantages of soil, climate,
and facility for getting her productions to
market, she is almost in statu quo, so far as
material development and progressive spirit
are concerned. They perceive, as they pass
along the Ohio, thrift and prosperity on the
northern bank; decay and stagnation on
the southern. Of course they know at
once that the difference is to be attributed
solely to the blighting effects of negro slave
~. Is it strange, then, that they think
their interests are with the section that
encourages free labor? And is it to be
wondered at that their feelings are partial
to that system which makes labor honorable
by making it independent?


Nor are the commercial, manufacturing,
and agricultural interests of our people
with the South. In case of a separation,
our produce and manufactured articles
would be as necessary to the South, and
our custom for her peculiar products as
desirable, as at present. For these reasons,
the great rivers would never be obstruct-
ed. The mutual dependence of the TWO
(then separately nations would bring about
a free'and unrestricted intercourse when a
fair understanding should once be estab-
lished. On the right and wrong OF slavery
we could "agree to disagree )" on no other
question would there be any clashing of in
terests or opinions. Memphis, Napoleon,
Helena, Vicksbnrgh, Natchez, New Or
leans would not thrive without the West
ern trade hence our people would always
be welcome SO long as they did not interfere
with the peculiar institution. This they
would have no disposition to do.


That an arbitrary line up about the local
ity of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad
would suffice to divide separate nations is
absurd. The Ohio rivera well-de6ned
mark made by nature-wOuld be the desira-
BILE and proper line of demarkation between
two antagonistic forms of civilization.


Too many of our people came from New
England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, and Ohio, ever to be separated from
them. Those who came from Slave States
did so to get away from the depressing in
fuence of slavery. They would not be like
ly to return and again subject themselves
to that system which kept them "under the
harrow" A few might prefer to be with
the South-very few the vast majority
would cast their lot in with the free, inde-
pendent, and self-reliant North. Principle
ITSELF to say nothing of interest, would
prompt them to do this.