Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-10-07
saUArrRR sOvKRKIsNTY-A NEW PLANK N THE
PLATFORM


PLATFORM.
The indiscreet zeal with which the Washington Union
4. Iaborng to incorporate the Cas- dogma Of Ssudner
s0perssnfy into the creed of the Democratic party, OK
cites universal regre, among Democracy of the South
For ourselves enter earnest protest against any
such mschevous innovation
In ls4s when General Cas- promulgated this doctrine
Of Squster Sovereignty in tmid aud ambiguous phrase
olosy the Democratic party in the South rejected the
principle with unanimous and indignant protest Iney
even far to dispute its paternity and to main
tain with much show OF that General Casa did not
entertain any such heresy His words we're susceptible
of double meaning, and unwilling TO mpugu either his
ssnse Of his soundness. We gave him the oeneht OF
charitable Interpretation In TRUTH could not believe
that statesman 10 whom reposed implicit trust was
really the yicm'of SO absurd deuson The Democracy
of the South will forget with what rude shock
thew we're awakened from their stupid confidence. The
election General Csss favored the country with
commentary the obscure text OF his Nicholson letter,
and with emphasis and ankness of explanation which
shudjer to recolect actually disputed the sanity OF
suy who could not Squatter Sovereignty in his
oracuar episte For all nice distinction and aoo.
ous exposition We got the reward OF contempt Tor our
stupidity.
If General Cas- had honestly avowed his ing be.
fore the election doubt il he would have received the
Of single State in the South-so universal was the
population OF his 80 udneT Sovereignty dogma by the
State Rights Democracy. Time and reflection have but
confirmed their conviction OF its mschevous tendency;
and vet the Washington Unio proposes to nterpolste
it into tue platform Of the party. Names do not alter
the OF things, and the heresy is still the same and
the less monstrous although We give u the advan-
tsge attractive label Tho principle that the terri
tores the right o determine the character Of their
Institutions is the less repulsVe 10 TIE State
Rights Democracy for the captivating phrase, popular
sO9sTsignty.
The Union processes TO fnd authority Tor the doctrine
Of S9udr Sovereignty in the terms OF the Nebraska bill
and couiess there is much reason in the ae>
cation. To say the least, the Nebraska BILL like the
Nehoison letter is susceptible OF construction favorable
the principle OF SgTdeT Sovereignty and 1t was tor
this very that en,reated the representatives Of
;he State Rights Democracy procure some amendment
of Its phraseology. They did not heed suggestion
snd the attempt Is made TO quote their own language
IN justification of principle quite as odous as the MIS-
souri, restriction.
The Union arails itself of an unfair advantage and If
has any regard for the feeling Of the Southern Democra
cyt will desst from its effort incorporate SquGr Sor
sreiyny in TO the platform OF the party The prerogaYe
OF defining authortayey The principles OF the Democratic
party belongs exclusively to the National Convention, not
10 Congress- much less TO any faction individual by its
present course the Union will only fail OF its object
but will dissatisfaction and disenon into the ranks
Of the party.
We of the South will never submit to Sguat,er Sore
TrigHty
The foregoing editorial article appeared in the En-
quirer few days ago. and deserves the serious aten
ton Of the Southern people. 1t confirms, TO the
fullest extent our repeatedly expressed suspicious,
that those Northern Democrats, who voted for the
Nebraska bill, and who have since been so noisy in
its praise playing game OF fraud and deception
upon the South, for which they merit the scyerest
condemnation. We ask an attentive pcrlIsal Of the
Eh2uirers article Ii is deepIy aud PalrulIy sgnln.
can't Our neighoor has at last taken the alarm lie
clearly sees now, from what motives and with what
views the President, Mr.. CaSs and the Northern
democratic politicians generally lent their support to
the Nebraska bill. Ii not because it enuncated
= true and just constitutional principle though that
may be admitted by them-it was not because il
repealed an odious and degrading restriction which
nade the Southern States politically inferior to the
othern; nor was 1t because they supposed or wished
lhat any advantage whatever would accrue to the
oouh lhereiroa but because they considered in the
language OF Mr.. Pierce, "a proposition in favor OF
freedom because they thought it would beu
%, hamper, restrict and ultimately cause slave.
y TO die out, even in the States where it now
exists That such were the motives and objects
winch prompted these men TO advocate the pas.
sage OF the Nebraska bill, there can be no long
or room for doubt. thousand subsequent
circumstances all go to confirm it, And il a thorough
'ncontroyertbe demonstration of the fact is wanted
the course Of the Washington Union will furnish il
10 the perfect satisfaction Of every impartial and re-
hecting mind. For it is day after dav, engaged in
the Jealous attempt to prepare the Democracy or the
early incorporation into their creed of the doctrine
Of squatter sovereignty doctrine which men Of al
parties at the South have uniformly regarded with
more detcstation and adherence than the WiI,oo,
proviso itself; and to which the Enquirer proca,ns
IN the name Of its party, "we, Of the South ,viu
never submit"
While on this subject, we should like 70 c,,oc,iso
the Enquirer little We did this dov or ,,,o ,.o
but our neighbor has not vet favored no ,ri,I,
spouse. But we are patient and liberal and C,rho.r
ing, and will cheerfully wait any rcaso,oIl,, 49,.
provided the Enquirer, as are assured il will ,v;,
deal frankly with u.s. when it concludes 10 10, no ta
from it. We'll, ii has proclaimed lis inyinci,1,
rspugnance to the Cass dogma of Squ,tter Sover.,r
y, and severely rebuked the Washington Union e.,
attempting to ailx 1t to the Democratic pl,te,rm
such beng its adherence Of 1t, we ghould lilo G.,
our neghbor 10 tell us whether he will or ,gn,
not support any man who ayows himself in favor ~
" we should like, furthermore, TO ascertain our
neghbors opinion Of Mr. Pierce's position in refer,
'nce 10 thIs subject lie has been repeatedly charged
WIN oelhg Sqpatter Sovereignty man, and with
having gwen MS support TO the Nebraska bill because
nc regarded II as asserting that doctrine ItisR
matter OF considerable public importance that the
Presidents views upon this subject sbouId no die
uhety unueTstood-that all doubt and uncertainty
should be dissipated and that the Southern noo,i.
anouiu Oegn TO know where they are, what they are
DONG, and what the future has in store for them If
the Missouri res friction only to be snapped for the
doctrine Of Squatter Sovereignty, II is time we wer
knowing it, The Enquirer is presumed to know III .
exact sentiments of the President upon this question,
uooS As we are entirely satisfied il does, il ought
10 Iet the country have them. II il does not ve
submit that its duty to the South, It's loval,v IN
principle, require that it should Immediately 60, sion,
inquiring, and not rest ill it is favored with co.r
and emphatic revelation Of them.
We shall rccur to this subject again. And ,rc bo,
the Enquirer to aid us in struggle for light We
want TO know how many Northern Democrats there
are, aud who they are who, like Mr.. Cass. and the
Presidents confidential mouth-picco, supported the
Nebraska BILL con the ground that il will recruit the
strength Of the anti-sayory party"-and, Of course,
add t. the dangers and pers that already environ
the South. We are in the dark, and VIC wish to get
out OF It, The Enquirer has itin its power to relieve
our own and the public anxiety upon this matter and
viii Il not promptly and unhestadngly do itI We