9 force of circumstances, have the advocates of this system been urged on to renewed and constant efforts for its perpetuation and extension. But freedom, light as air, spreads on the wings of the wind, while slavery, heavily loaded with chains, drags herself slowly along, and comes last to the goal; so that, notwithstanding advantages granted to the slave power in the first formation of the confederacy, and the frequent additions to her prospects for advancement, through repeated accessions of territory, soughtand obtained for its especial accommodation, the expansive and progressive force of free institutions is such as to bring them constantly in the ascendency. To prevent this result, this slave interest, through the majority it secures by throwing its united vote for those men and that party who consent to lend themselves to its purposes, that thereby place and power may be secured, removes landmarks long established in the country, and awakens a new and unheard-of excitement. Consequent upon this act creating this excitement, a new party springs into being. That party, with no farther extension of slavery and free homes for free men upon its banners, achieves the victory, and Abraham Lincoln is elected President. Here, and from this, call it pretext or occasion, or what you will, is where the present difficulties arise, or perhaps more properly where they gain their power to disturb the country. With a different result in the election of 1860, no one supposes that recent events, which have so tended to excite and distract the country, would have occurred. No doubt many men prominent among the leaders in this disunion movement at the South, rejoice at this result. Having so long, in their mind’s eye, followed the “ ignis faluus” which has been leading them on—the dazzling prospect of a brilliant Southern Confederacy—in which slavery should be extended and perpetuated, and the cotton and sugar trade of the world monopolized—the leaders rejoice at this opportunity to take advantage of the prejudices of the masses, which had been excited by misrepresentations of the true sentiment of the North, as exemplified and attempted to be carried out by the Republican party, to accomplish their long concealed purposes of secession and dissolution. Want of fidelity to constitutional obligations, passage of personal liberty laws, disinclination to enforce laws for the return of fugitives, are only pretexts used to inflame the minds of individuals and of States whose support they wish, while at heart rejoicing at the result. Those leaders are now in open rebellion against the laws and government of the United States, and yet measure after measure like that now before us is urged upon us and we are told to pass them that they may be appeased. For
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