Democratic banner., 1849-07-16

ing the evil and thereby save the Union
Those Resolutions have ever been consid-
cred the tert book of the Republican party,
and have met with almost universal appro-
baton They are more liable to the charge
Of disunion and notification, than the Reso-
~lutions of our State; but the truth however
lis, that neither, properly understood, are
cehsurable, or in the least Objectionable in
principle. They are designed to secure and
maintain the Union--to preserve the con-
s~titution from violation-to restore it to its
Integrity and virtue, when infringed-and
to perpetuate in their purity the glorious
principles ST our free institutions. All this
may be accomplished through the influence
OF moral suasion. Let us but take ground,
Just and tenable, and the patriots Of the
Northern States, will assuredly rally around
us as friends of the Union, and, united with
us, the question, II ough difficult and excl
ting, may, and will yet be settled on fair
and honorable terms, despite the efforts Of
abolitionists, provisoists, and others. The
Igrouud we take is, non-intervention, and
this is broad enough to hold the northern
citizen and anti-slavery man,, as well as the
southern STAKEHOLDER. On this fair and
equitable platform, we have all stood here
~tofore, and we would do injustice to our
selves--injustice to the State-injustice to
the Union-and injustice to posterity, if we
permit ourselves now, to be cajoled out of
it, or decoyed, or frightened from it.
1t has been said by some, to be unwise to
make an issue between north end south a.
'gainst the p~roviso. But If this be true, who
are responsible for it? If it be unwise to
make an issue AGAINST the proviso it is
certainly MORE unwise to FORCE an issue FOR
the p~roviso. We present no claim for leg
~islation on the subject, that can make an is
sue; and none will be made, unless made by
resisting wrong legislation. And such an
issue, made under such circumstances,
will not be a mere issue between the north
and south, for there are hundreds and
thousands Of noble-hearted, high-minded,
and patriotic citizens ofthe north, who will
be with us on such an issue.
Occupying the ground Of Jefferson, Of
Madison, Of Monroe, Of Jackson, of Harri-
son, and other worthy sages. statesmen and
patriots, We may rest assured, that the rrin-
ciples we advocate will contribute to the
preservation of private rights-maintain in
violate the reserved sovereignty of the
States-and prove the means Of preservingl
and perpe:uating the blessings Of free gov
eminent under our happy confederated U-|
MON.
Fellow citizens, these are my views of
the subject; and this, too, ] believe TO be al
fair Interpretation Of the Resolutions of our
General Assembly. Believing so, I shall
most cordially vote and act in conformity
herewith. But even If I should be mista-
ken as to the abstract questions involved in
the resolutions, still, the course Of conduct
in my official duty, which they plainly re-
guire me to pursue. is such, as to meet nv
unqualified appreciation, and cannot be mis-
construed or perverted. am thereby adj
vised to abstain from legislating slavery out
of a territory, or to affect that question in a
ny respect by Congressional action. But.
il ! find that course impossible, and also find
that the question may all be settled on the
Missouri compromise line, and thereby pre-
vent any father encroachments upon ouI
rights, then ! arm directed to yield to the
compromise. Tothis course Of c%onductthere
can be no valid objection. All friends of
the compromise line can appreciate this po-
sition ;-a all friends Of the non-intervention,
can, with equal prOpriety, unite upon the
same ground.
No metaphysical distractions, however
ingeniously urged against the instructions,
shall swerve me from my course. No fac
titiOus objections shall divert me from my
purpose, And voting in conformity with the
views have just given, l shall believe I am
contributing to sustain the constitutional
rightsof persons-ths equal sovereignty Of
the S~tates-andthe true principles of the VI
MON.
For the Banner.