Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-17
For the Indiana State Seafinel.
Democracy VS.. Slavery.

In the Sentinel of January 10 is a communication
in reply To another communication in the Sentinel Of
January 8. from the doctrines advo aied in which
free soil democrat beg leave dissent While
iaipng liberal and generous views in regard tn the
policy which ought To be pursued towards SOUTH
ern brethren, yet at the tine think there
certain principles which cannot and ought not to be
compromised. Among these il The cunduct Of the
General Government towards those Of our terrnres
which are not and have not hitherto been polluted by
the curse of negro slavery and her duty exclude
It forever from them. Ii should be cardinal princi
pie with The democratic party that the General GUv-
ernmrnt ought to relie.c itself of the responsibility
OF slavery wherever has the power. 1t is true that
her night To egIsate this subject in the terri Ories
has been disputed by statesmen. but it cannot
be denied that II Is right which has been exercised
and sanctioned from the formation of our cOnfedsracy
in the ordinance of 17S7-and recently in the
formation of territorial government for Oregon.
which received the sanction Of President Polk mself
siuiherner and stakeholder, and that slavery
evil whose existence was deplored and whose exien-
sion attempted 20 be prevented by the men,
of them shareholders, whose illustrious the
writer SD elOquenIly invokcs. say we must admit
that she has the right. like Gen Cass, declare that
her action this subject heretofore has been wrong
In excluding slavery from the territories, invade
no rights of the S,uth-we infringe principles of
the constitution. but do that which conceive To be
right matter of duty and policy. II may be true
that slavery cannot laxfuuv exist without special
legislation. but onr Southern brethren who have been
educated in different school of legal ethics this
subject do and lriH 80 regard it. With them,
necessarily from their habits, might too often makes
right If this Is not so, why insert prohibiting
clause IN the territorial government OF Oregont Ii IS
So and the South universally regards IT,. II is
excuse for foster and protect the peculiar nsti-
iution," because other governments abroad less ia
vored than own have with one hand pointed to
"Declaration" and with the other sneeringy TO the
South. 1t is an ncongruity unavoidable perhaps,
Tho IF g fha ITnio
the bare mention Of which every patriotic heart re-
VOLTS and which is rather be deplored than
ed. Equal political rights" under government.
IL Is true Notwithstanding Haunting Declaration
are abstraction" But should they be, AYE!
there's the rub.''
Let not the reader start visions of wooey headed
fellow-ctizens amalgamaon &C.; for MS to the latter
it is pracliced at the South, although the theory
is credited altogether the poor "anatca aboliton-
lists. Equal political rights would not necessarily
produce such result-men, white black, will be
estimated according to their character and TALENTS and
will, like water. find th~ir own level. wish not to
be misunderstood am no AbolitOnist, rs UNDER
stand the term. But if to regard slavery as an evil
the responsibility Of which should rest where it be-
Ongs-f believing it IL be the duty of the Federal
government all honorable aud constitutional
for its extnguishment, and especially for les
senIng lis 'area" be Abolironism, then am Abo-
| liionist.
The democratic parcy, claiming rs it does to be a
great national party, the writer truly says should
know no typographical lines" And If scarcely
STAKEHOLDER be found who will deny that slavery
is evil and wrong, surely southern brother
will not object that in the expression Of political
preferences we conhue ourselves to those who
gard IL. And | venture 10 say that every northern
democrat is ready rally around any southern brother
uf the true Jefersonan stamp who may be brought
forward as an aspirunt for his suffrages.
FREE SOIL.