Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-16

the Territories:
B going back 70 true principles go back e the
affected BY us question 10 adjust upon Their oicR resonsi
oy and = her 01s na,ss and we snai, render an
and furnish another guaranty for its permansnce ana
prosperity"
Aud again he said:
But certain it Ia that the principle Of interference
should not be carried beyond the implication
which produces It, 1t should be limited to the creation Of
proper governments acquired settled and TO the neccs
for their admission into the Unon
leaving IL, IN dc mean tine TO The peie hatitig them 10
regulate their Internal in thesr icay"
Sir, this letter was circulated and commented
upon in every part of the United States; and when
the Democratic convention mel in the month of
May afterwards, there not, apprehend, a
delegate in that whole body ignorant of General
CAsss position, and ain happy TO add, bnt very
few who did not give it full and hearty approval.
Sir, had the honor of being delegate in that
convention, as were two other members Of my
family, and | know that General CAss's position
was well understood and fully approved by an
overwhelming majority OF the delegates then and
there assembled. Noprinciple seemed 10 be more
applauded.
The president ofthe convention,in the adjourn
ing speech, declared that the very spirit of demo
cracy consisted in the right and power of man for
| seli-governmen; :" and The resolutions, and the
whole proceedings Of the convention, INDICATED
the same liberal principles. This doctrine was
| not only announced by General CAss before the
COHVcHtiOu dplTOVcu Oh III IL Dy MS HOul-
naton, but was reiterated by him in his letter of
| acceptance, in which he said
The uery first article ae democratic creed teaches that
e people are competent 70 gorern henseres i is indeed,
rather axiom than article of political faith. From
the days Of General Hamilton 10 days. the party
posed whose principles the great exponent
II not the founderwhile 1t has changed its name, has
preserved essentially its identity Of character and the
doubt he entertained and taught Of the capacity of
action and opinions. Here is ucy stdrngpont Of the
differences tsoee ts too great parties 'oh!c divide our
country. All differences but subordinate and
Hilary to this, and may, In fact be resolved into it,
This, sir, was the language of General Cass,
and these the principles 10 which the democracy
subscribed, and which were substantially incorpo-
rated In the compromise measures of 1850. These
were the principles inscribed upon the banners
under which my worthy colleagues SO gaantly
| fought in the canvass of 1915. But alas sir
fear they are not remaining steadfast in the
| faith"
| Here is measure which contains the same
principles, which is opposed by the entire wing
delegation from the north, and by the freesolers
| and the abolitionists everywhere but which rs
ts leading MEASURE Of this administration, receives
tie nnqnalJfed sanction Of the President, the sup
port OF General Cas-, and a vast majority Of The
| democracy Of the nation How can my respected
colleagues consistently oppose il In doing 50,
| are they not abandoning HE principles of 1913 2
| Are Mey not desevting General Glass; md fraterni-
si'sg lc ths very acho basely betrayed him2 Il
not the eest Of their opposition TO sceaken the ad
4 ufWU~AtC
By dirision, and thus strengthen the hands of the
common eneany2 Do not my colleagues that,
| whether we will or no, this question mHst be met
in the free States deniOc measure and that
We must sustain it, too, or have the party over
| whelned by coalition between The wings, free
sellers. and abolilionists? Sir, temporizing will
not do. We haze had roo nlucA Of 1t aiready. This
| question must be boldly avowed and defended as
party measure, if democratic ascendency is TO
be maintained in the free States. My colleagues.
frtr.a 49,, L....,
! by democratic votes, and by democratic votes
alone. appeal TO them TO consider well whether
| this Is NOT only democratic measure, right in
principle, but whether, also, there is not, under
! existing circumstances, party necessity for its
| passage. Without intending it, much fear they
| are playing into the hands of those who would
| glory in seeing the democracy Frustrated in the
dust.
What significant sign it is, Mr.. Chairman
that The Indiana Journal the organ of the wing
party IN that State, is so well pleased with the
: aid and comfort being rendered by my COL
league IN this crisis that 1t declares he onght to
hare no Vtg opposition ias Tie approaching congyts
s1oaal canrass! And this is said by OF the
high priests of whiegery, Of representative in
Congress- elected exclusively by democratic votes
and " no justly boasts upon this floor that he can
vassed The State of Indiana in 1S4S, to its far
thest borders" upon The Cass platform. Truly
! sir, strange things are continually happening
and wonders will never cease"
But my colleague says the bill does not provide
Tor the election OF the governor and judges by the
people OF the Territory. True, but is that any OBJ
lection 10 him, when he denies them the power Of
electing any officer who can exercise jurisdiction
over this subject? Under proper restrictions,
would vote TO amend the bill. so that even the
governor and JUICES should be elected by the peo-
pie; but my colleague well knows he would not
support il ift was amended
II said, 100, thai the character of the territorial
institutions will depend upon the first band OF
n maui Ia bar,
snppose that be rne, does not follow that their
actlsu will necessarily be unw;se The Pilgrim
iathers were but band Of emigrants, fleeing from
lhe prosecutions OF the Old World to the wilder
ness o. the New; and yet we look with admra-
ion upon ther acts, and The glorious results which
nave ensued Besides, if The first legislature
should adopt unMjse laws, it does not follow that
lhey are 10 be vulnerable. like the laws of the
Medes and the Persisos. They would not be final
ou. IKE oaa laws eyssywhere else would be
the wants and wishes of ,he people.
Mr Chairman the principe of non interyen-
ton, on the part of Congress. NTH the domestic
concerns of the States and organized Territories
IS no Interpolation upon the Democraic creed In
one shape other. il is odd the e,eed itself
From the earliest days of the republic there has
been party favorable 10 the IncreaAe Of the
powers Of the federal government, and another
based upon The rights of the States and th6supre-
macy of the people. That was the leading division
between the federal and republican parles,Ss 10
some extent issue between the parties ofthe
present day. and is certainly involved in the hill
now under consideration.
Sir, the democratic party has always pride1
itself upon its fidelity TO the Constitution and the
rights Of all the States and the men of the south
have never appealed in vain for vindication of
their constitutional rights TO their democratic
brethren OF the north.
Such. sir, believe, will be the result Of the
present issue. The great mass Of the democracy
of the north will stand firm by The side Of their
southern brethren, in support Of the principles of
non-in,ervention and Of popular sovereignty.
On the other hand, the wing party Of the free
States will oppose them, and, TO great extent.
become aboliiionized. Like drowning men catch
ing al straws, they will seize upon this, and upon
every ism and issue that can be devsed.io disturb
and break up the organization Of the democratic
party. The effort is being made TO unite the
odds and ends OF every party and Of every organi
cation. in order 10 confuse divide, and overthrow
the democracy. Ii designing leaders can accom-
plish their ends, it will be aminglng of
"Blaek spirits and white
Blue spirits and grey
not altogether unlike the witches compound in the
81, y<~FM ,..