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States are far inferior to the Free States in population, in wealth, in education, in libraries, in resources of all kinds, and yet they have taken to themselves the lion's share of the offices of honor and profit under the Constitution.
They have held the presidency for fifty-seven years, while the Free States have held it for twelve years only.
But without pursuing the exposition of this game of political ‘sweep-stakes,’ which the Slave Power has perpetually played, let us present what is more important, as indicative of its spirit—the aggressions and usurpations by which it has turned the Federal Government from its original character of Freedom, and prostituted it to Slavery.
The following catalogue is given, which should be carefully noticed:
Early in this century, when the District of Columbia was finally occupied as the national capital, the Slave Power succeeded, in defiance of the spirit of the Constitution, and even of the express letter of one of its amendments, in securing for Slavery, within the District, the countenance of the Federal Government.
Until then Slavery had existed nowhere within the exclusive jurisdiction of this Government.
It next secured for Slavery another recognition under the Federal Government, in the broad territory of Louisiana, purchased from France.
It next placed Slavery again under the sanction of the Federal Government, in the territory of Florida, purchased from Spain.
Waxing powerful, it was able, after a severe struggle, to dictate terms to the Federal Government, in the Missouri Compromise, compelling it to receive that State into the Union with a slave-holding Constitution.
It instigated and carried on a most expensive war in Florida, mainly to recover fugitive slaves, thus employing the army of the United States as slave-catchers.
It wrested from Mexico the Province of Texas in order to extend Slavery, and triumphing over all opposition, finally secured its admission into the Union with a Constitution making Slavery perpetual.
It next plunged the country in war with Mexico, in order to gain new lands for Slavery.
With the meanness, as well as the insolence of tyranny, it has compelled the Federal Government to abstain from acknowledging the
