Never did parties come before the northern people with propositions of such undisguised contempt for the moral sentiment and the religious ideas of that people.

They virtually asked them to unite in a war upon free speech, and upon conscience, and to drive the Almighty presence from the councils of the nation.

Resting their platforms upon the fugitive slave bill, they boldly asked the people for political power to execute the horrible and hell-black provisions of that bill.

The history of that election reveals, with great clearness, the extent to which{360} slavery has shot its leprous distillment through the life-blood of the nation.

The party most thoroughly opposed to the cause of justice and humanity, triumphed; while the party suspected of a leaning toward liberty, was overwhelmingly defeated, some say annihilated.
But here is a still more important fact, illustrating the designs of the slave power.