Transcription of Primary Source
To the People of Massachusetts:
Fellow Citizens:
The recent aggression of the Slave Power, in repealing that section
of the Missouri Compromise Act which prohibited Slavery in Kansas and
Nebraska, calls for instant and effective action on the part of all
sincere friends of Freedom. It is evident that the Slave Power keeps no
faith, and abides by no compact; that it respects no compromises, but
is ready to trample alike on law, justice, and right, to accomplish its
designs.
The violation of the Missouri Compromise, has put an end to the
whole system of Congressional compacts between Freedom and Slavery, and
in all questions now pending, or that may arise hereafter, between
them, the people of the Free States stand only on the solid ground of
the Constitution, and are bound only by its provisions, and by their
own sense of what justice and the national welfare demand.
Emboldened by success, and relying upon the apathy or corruption of
the North, the leading Southern presses and politicians openly avow
their intention of procuring, by purchase or by war, Cuba, Hayti, the
northern provinces of Mexico and the valley of the Amazon, for the
purpose of forming a great slaveholding empire, and thus forever
counterbalancing or overwhelming the influence of Freedom in the
national councils.
To resist and defeat these schemes, THE NORTH MUST BE UNITED. The question of Freedom must be made paramount to all other political questions.
The prohibition of Slavery in Kansas and Nebraska, must be restored.
The extension of Slavery must be checked at all hazards; the system
itself denationalized, and the Federal Government brought back to its
original and proper policy of Freedom.
To this end, Conventions of the people have been already called in
Vermont, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, while others of the
Free States are preparing for similar action. Believing that
Massachusetts is equally ready to go forward in the movement, we invite
our fellow citizens, without distinction of party, to assemble in Mass
Convention at Worcester, on Thursday, July 20th, 1854, to consult
together, and take such action as the crisis requires.
Curator Notes
Type:
Exact Title: "To the people of Massachusetts: Fellow citizens: The recent aggression of the slave power, in repealing that section of the Missouri Compromise Act which prohibited slavery in Kansas and Nebraska..."
Periodical:
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Page(s):
Year: 1854
Probable Date:
Description: 1 sheet; 28 x 21 cm.
Author/Creator:
Publisher:
Place of Publication: Worcester, Massachusetts?
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Condition:
Catalog Number: BDSDS. 1854