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1 Our Duty in the Present Crisis 1856

handle is hein.trials/addt0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Outr put in t~c Vro~nt (fisk+ RESPECTFULLY ADDRESSED TO THE YOUNG MEN. YOUNG MEN: You are about, perhaps for the first time, to take an active part in the affairs of Government, and to assist in choosing those who shall administer the laws. You will naturally use your suffirage for those whose sentiments are in accordance with your own. Trifling as the exercise of this right may appear, it is one of the most moment- ous importance to the present and future prosperity of yourself and your country. The sentiments and principles which you now make your own, by using your influence for their advancement, will, in all probability, cling to you through life, and mould its future for weal or woe ; for there is nothing, of which the human mind is so hardly divested, as old associations, and particularly political associa- tions. You are now untrammelled by party ties ; uninfluenced by party prejudices; uncommitted by party promises. Does it not become you, as wise men, about to engage in an important and life-long business, to examine well the ground of controversy, the objects to be attained, the means by whicl the attainment is to be reached, the results which must folldw the success or failure of each of the opposing principles in this controversy. And when you have decided calmly, faithfully and honestly, which principles and theories are those which will most tend to the advancement of civilization, of justice, of humanity, of religion, and of eternal Right, does it not behoove you to contend with all the power of intellect and body for their triumph ? Certainly, you must answer, that this is the wise part. Let us then proceed briefly to examine The opposing Principles in the Controversy: The results of the failure and success of each ; and having determined which is the right principle, The means of obtaining its Triumph. The great principle at stake in this controversy is-ought man to be free, or ought he to be bond ? From this original principle outshoot a variety of theories, dogmas and assertions. Among which is the impending question to be decided by you, in the approaching choice of rulers. Shall the Republic of the United States of America be the land of the Freeman, or the land of the Slave ? This is the great issue in the present contest. Other minor issues cluster around it; but, as when the stately ship is stricken down by a sudden, unexpected tornado, all efforts are at'once directed towards placing her upright, and in safety again,-and masts, ropes, spars and yards, are quickly severed and set adrift-so, abrogating all minor matters, all now turn their attention towards righting the Ship of State, which has been violently stricken down among the breakers, by the sudden and unexpected tempest raised, and false lights shown by unfaithful Pilots. In order to correctly understand the true nature of the subject, it is necessary that we briefly review the history of the Government, so far as it is allied to this

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