The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-27
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

The National Era (Abolition) says; Every in
dication shows that the Slavery Question is to be
the great issue in the coming election" 1t is prob
able that the next Presidential election will not
be decided on old party grounds alone; for we
consider it certain that if either party should be
guilty Of the folly Of nominating candidate dis
posed to interfere with the institution of slavery,
the friends Of the Union will rally in favor of his
opponent, without distinction of party, and elect
him, to certainty What does the Era mean by
the " Slavery Question ~ Are we to understand
that a party is to be organized pledged to eman-
cipate the slaves by legislative action or by force
Or is it intended that such party shall procure
repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law. Unless one or
the other of these objects to be attempted, we
know not upon what the Slave Question" will
be based. We have always understood the editor
of the Era to be opposed to all unconstitutional
proceedings against siavery-and ii So we cannot
zoo how no consistently assist either to nbol
ish slavery by force, or to procure the repeal of
law which carries into effect express proyis-
ion ofthe Constitution. Let either issue be made,
. and the result will be the same. The Southern
States will neither permit the institution of sa-
very to be abolished, excepting by their own vol
untary action, nor the existing law respecting
fugitive slaves to be repealed. To do either
would produce an immediate dissolution Of the
Union The Southern States entered the Union
under guarantees which must be fulfilled, or the
compact will be dissolved. The party, then
which seeks to interfere with slavery, or TO pre-
vent the return Of fugitive slaves to their owners
will be for disunion and will be 80 treated in the
approaching contest.
In respect to prohibiting the introduction of
slavery into new territories, we consider the
principle settled, that the question shall be
ferred exclusively to the people of such territory
on the application being made to become a State
of the Union Nor do we believe that it will be
in the power of the abolition party to reverse the
decision of Congress Baltimore Clipper.
care we to understand that party is to be
organized, pledged to emancipate the slaves by
legislative action or by force ," We seek the or
ganizaton of no such party, if, by Legislative
action" be meant, action by Congress. How
often must we repeat, that Slavery in the States
exists in virtue of State law, and, if abolished
peaceably must be abolished by the action Of the
States, or of the People thereof-that Congress
has not created, and cannot sbrogate it.
What, then, do we mean when we say that the
Slavery Question is to be the great issue in the
coming election" Simply this: That the ultra
politicians of the South have resolved to vote for
no Presidential candidate who is not pledged to
maintain Slavery as the great National Interest,
and to recognise Slave Law as the Common Law
of the Union That what are called the Moderates
of the South have resolved to support no Presi-
Dental candid date, whatever his qualifications, who
is not pledged to the compromise measures of the
last Congress; pledged against any attempt by
Congress to prohibit slavery in territory under
its jurisdiction, or to refuse the acquisition of
new territory or the admission Of o new State on
account Of the existence Of Slavery therein
pledged to exclude from office men in favor Of
placing the Federal Government on the side Of
Human Liberty, and to abstain from any exercise
of power which shall interfere with the introduc.
ton Of Slavery into New Mexico or Utah That
the Cass Democrats and Administration Wings
generally have agreed to these tests, and are now
uniting, and intend to unite, in branding with
political nfamy every politician unwilling to sane
ton their policy and who holds that Slavery is a
local institution, with no claim upon the Federal
Government but TO be let alone, while Liberty is
a National Interest, the establishment and extern
sion of which should be its controlling purpose
That, in self-defence, for the vindcation Of their
| countrys repueatiop, iot sno ouPPor' VI the true
theory of the Constitution, for the preservation OF
the blessings of Liberty, and the promotion of the
highest interests Of the Republic citizens, thus
prescribed, and threatened with infamy on account
of their opposition to Slavery, will be obliged to
unite upon a Presidential candidate faithfully
representing their sentiments
This is what we mean when We say that the
Slavery Question Is to be the great issue of the
next election. II will be made go by the friends
of that institution. They are determined to M
iioaalise it. We act on the defensive, in our de-
termination TO loeaiizs it. They would make II
the controlling interest of the Federal Govern.
ment. We would divorce the Federal Govern
ment from it, and coufue it where it belongs, to
State limits and State laws IL they persist in
their policy, We must persist in ours. They har,
announced their purpose to persist; we shall per.
sist Necessarily, the issue Of the next Prcsiden.
tial election must be-Shall Southern Slavery h
pationalired or localized shall the Federal Gov
eminent be controlled by IT, or divorced from il
shall it be confined to State limits, to the protec
ton of State laws, or be established upon Fedora
Territory, under the protection Of Federal laws