Senators such as these are the natural enemies of Kansas, and I introduce them with reluctance, simply that the country may understand the character of the hostility which must be overcome.  Arrayed with them, of course, are all who unite, under any pretext or apology, in the propagandism of human Slavery.  To such, indeed, the time-honored safeguards of popular rights can be a name only, and nothing more.  What are trial by jury, habeas corpus, the ballot-box, the right of petition, the liberty of Kansas, your liberty, sir, or mine, to one who lends himself, not merely to the support at home, but to the propagandism abroad, of that preposterous wrong, which denies even the right of a man to himself!  Such a cause can be maintained only by a practical subversion of all rights.  It is, therefore, merely according to reason that its partisans should uphold the Usurpation in Kansas.

To overthrow this Usurpation is now the special, importunate duty of Congress, admitting of no hesitation or postponement.  To this end it must lift itself from the cabals of candidates, the machinations of party, and the low level of vulgar strife.  It must turn from that Slave Oligarchy which now controls the Republic, and refuse to be its tool.  Let its power be stretched forth toward this distant Territory, not to bind, but to unbind; not for the oppression of the weak, but for the subversion of the tyrannical; not for the prop and maintenance of a revolting Usurpation, but for the confirmation of Liberty.

     “These are imperial arts and worthy thee!”

Let it now take its stand between the living and dead, and cause this plague to be stayed.  All this it can do; and if the interests of Slavery did not oppose, all this it would do at once, in reverent regard for justice, law, and order, driving away all the alarms of war; nor would it dare to brave the shame and punishment of this great refusal.  But the slave power dares anything; and it can be conquered only by the united masses of the people.  From Congress to the People I appeal. * * *

The contest, which, beginning in Kansas, has reached us, will soon be transferred from Congress to a broader stage, where every citizen will be not only spectator, but actor; and to their judgment I confidently appeal.  To the People, now on the eve of exercising the electoral franchise, in choosing a Chief Magistrate of the Republic, I appeal, to vindicate the electoral franchise in Kansas.  Let the ballot-box of the Union, with multitudinous might, protect the ballot-box in that Territory.  Let the voters everywhere, while rejoicing in their own rights, help to guard the equal rights of distant fellow-citizens; that the shrines of popular institutions, now desecrated, may be sanctified anew; that the ballot-box, now plundered, may be restored; and that the cry, “I am an American citizen,” may not be sent forth in vain against outrage of every kind.  In just regard for free labor in that Territory,