The daily union., 1854-03-04
From the Detroit Free Press.
The Responsibility Of the Northern Democ-


Suppose the democratic party Of the North
tona in its policy the whig partysuppose it. like
the whig party, should coalesce with aboonism and
shuttle of all pretence to nationality-how long would
the Union stand Suppose the democratic party should
adopt the declaration of Seward that the slavery question
"cannot be settled. that the contest is between slavery
and freedom, and that it mus: 90 until the other
shall triumph what would be the duration of the coned.
eracy Suppose the democratic statesmen in Congress
should join with Sumner, and Chase and Giddings in
proclaning that, in spite OF the constitutional barriers,
agitation will be continued, discord will be iomented,
and against the South be carried on--what hope
could there be for the preservation of the federal
pact
These interrogatores furnish food for reflection The
present position of the northern whg party just as
imca 10 the peace and quiet of the country The posi-
lion Of the ireesoil party and should lhe democratic
party asseme the same position, should see end OF
the Union before the expiration OF six months II could
stand Its safety rests, and il always has rested,
upon the conservative constitutional sentiment of the
northern democracy on the subject OF slavery When
the Union formed slavery existed, as it now exists
II was recognised by the Constitution, and in various
ways lis protection was guaranteed A crusade against
il now cannot abolish il, or curail il. The only
possible consequence oil agitation is separation Should
the day ever come when the whole northern people,
or the great body OF them, should combine in en-.
forcing such policy that proclaimed by Mr.
Seward in his recent speech in the Senate, that day
would witness the irruption OF the States This every
candid man must acknowledge Each State has the un-
questionable right 10 maintain slavery TO inhbit and
when this right is invaded-when blow is struck
through the federal power at State sovereignty-hen
will the States whose perogatves have been oveudden
one by one, withdraw, they have an unqueslionabe
right to do, from the conederacy.
II s safe, in this county, 10 let every community man.
age its domestic affairs. Thus towns should be the
deposiares OF the power 10 lake OF everything af.
fecng their local concerns, and should countless and
SO States The the people trusted and the less
the central power inerposes, in that ratio will good gov
ernment be secured and conentment prevail The gene
raj government has specific duties 10 perform under the
constitutions and when overseps the boundaries OF It's
power not only the popular liberties receive blow but
encroachment is made 80 repugnant TO State rights
that resistance would be the certain consequences
Great responsibility now devoves upon the northern
democracy The destructive spirit OF aboitionsm once
more rampant pervadng all other political organizations
seeks to reopen warfare that bodies only disaster The
democracy must again stand in the bresch-nust once
more buffet the rolling suges OF fsnatcism and stem the
torrent Of disunon In this only is there safety And
il viii be. done. Politicians may trembe; some OF them
may, from selfish fear succumb the demands Of fac.
iion. But the great democratic sentiment Of he North
sound, and will respond TO the doctrne- let the people
everywhere govern"