The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-09-29


one to solve but such as desire to make party CAPT
ts out Of it, Ia all Che debates that TOOK place on
the subject while the question was before Congress,
this difficulty seemed to be overlooked by southern
statesmen, who voted for the bill II never once
occurred TO them that there moro danger Of the
foreign born Inhabitants of those territories. voting
to exclude slavery than there was, that the native
emigration from the north would do 80. The first
might, but IL was morally certain that the latter
would vote to exclude it. The great principle set
tied by the Kansas Nebraska bill, the right OF
the people to decide that matter for themselves
they wanted slavery they could have IT, If they did
not want II. II was not TO be thrust upon them The
great principle Of sefgovcrnment. was secured tol
the people Of those territories by the act to which
Col. Pond objects. It received the sanction of
nearly every southern representative, both wing
and democratic. The clause declaring the Missouri
compromise repealed by the compromise Of 1850,
was Inserted at the instance Of Mr.. Dixon Of Ken
lucky, o whig senator from that state. Why Col.
Pond, or any other southern man should be opposed
70 measure that restored tho equality Of the south
ern states In the territories IL Of those strange
unnatural positions that we shall leave for the future
TO unraycl.
In the appropriate discharge of his duty as chair
man OF the committee on territories, to whom nu-
mcrous bills the subject had been referred, Judge
Douglas reported to the Senate Of the United States
tho bill, to which Col Pond objects, and charges the
Hon. Senator with doing II with on open eye to the
1Ic5ueuCy. lue VII UcluB TlKut Uuu VTOpcT III "
self and just to the SOUTH far from a,cribing sin
lister motives to the distinguished senator We should
feel grateful to him for having risen above the pref
udices OF the whole north, and of bringing In bill
20 entirely In accordance with the Constitution, and
with that equality among the States that had unhap
PLY for the country been destroyed by the Missouri
compromise. Judge Douglas needs no defence from
us. His deeds as statesman and man, are his
best defence. Ills laurcs have been well cnrncd
they will wear we'll"
Col. pOnd's answpr In our ol,pciion IN fha secrc.
cy Of the order IL, TINT II is none of business.
that they have given their platform. and We have
no RICH, to anything more" Why said he awe arc
little too wise. TO let the democrats the secret
strings by which We work the political wires. They
would defeat us II we did" We are much inclineh
to the opinion that the people will accept no sued
excuse for holding political meetings in secret They
have too much respect for the good sense. virtue
and honesty Of their fellow citizens at large to no.
leve them capable Of doing wrong intentionally
or OF being unworthy to trust, in all matters con-
nected with the public veal. The interest OF one
Is the interest Of all. Politics concern everybody
and no body should be excluded from political meet
ings IN free government like this. II shows dis
trust Of the people to govern themselves, and a
want OF confidence in the correctness or their own
conduct, that ut first blush must condemn them
Truth never shuns the light. Error alone fears In.
vestgaton. and seeks darkness and secrecy TO hide
US def0rmity. When men are engaged in what
they know to be n good cause. and are using right
means to promote it they are neither ashamed or
afraid to face the world II il only when they are
conscious that all is not right with them THAI they
other conclusion can be arrived at! If We do the
know nothngs Injustice, they have only to blame
themselves for 1t and not us. We Judge from the
lights before U.S.
Col Pond said nothing about the Catholic test In
tbs state the wing Of the know nothing party 10
which he belongs have ignored the question since
they made their state nominations, put catho-
lies ON their ticket, and published their state plat