The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-09-18
J}!isrfIlanfulls Arms.
From the Charleston Epentng Ne,rs.
The Augusta COnstitutionalist.

The Augusta COnstitutiOnaltst.
We did not expect from this paper, which is
SO ratid against the American p''ty--and the
Georgians say il!ibcral--any very favorable
notice of Mr.. Cuuningham's speech ut Augusta
last week. But he had the rig ght to claim that
his should not be perverted. If Col. Z. can
find time amid pressing engagements he will
publish the speech.
Among other things the Cous,i,utionalist
says:
"While declaring himself in favor OF the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, he said
that upon principle he was opposed to the Kan
sas bill, because, said he, i, is the principle OF
squatter sovereignty. But stranger than ALL
he told the people that Douglas advocated the
repeal of the Missouri line in order TO create a
great freesoil empire out Of the Northwestern
territory. The Missouri restriction necessarily
made it freesoil empire, and yet we are told
by Know Nothing orators the restriction is re.
moved in order to make it frcesoll empire
Col. Cunningham did as we'll as any speaker
could have done in such cause"
The point MS here presented is silly aud RI
diculous in itself, and as it was not SO made
by Col. C. C'rehects on'y on the reporter.
The point made was, that the Kansas and
Nebraska Bill established squater sovereignty,
already recognised in practice by the irreg g,lar
admission Of California, as 4 principle, that
under this principle and practice, Douglas cal
cuated that the territories of Kansas and Ne.
braska would come in rs freesoil States In
his attempted explanation Of it in Illinois to his
constituents, he expressed this to be his antici.
patton Of the result He prophesied that Ham
sss never would be slave State. Now it Is
true, that the retention of the Missouri line
would have unqueslionably effected the same
end But Mr.. Douglas feared the influence at
the South upon his political prospects, Of an
; attempt to establish the principle Of squatter
sovereignty. He desired its application to all
territory South as well as North Of the COM
promise line, yet he also looked to Southern
votes for the Presidency. He proposed to kill
two birds with one stone" He thought ne
could secure the South by a repeal of the Mis-
sovri line, and then reconcile the North BY a
practical proof that the repeal would not benefit
the South, and would no. make any territory
other than free soil, This is the point which
was made by Colonel Cunningham. He charged
Douglas with political treachery-w person.
al ends. He alluded to the fact that the South
had not demanded nor clamored for the repeal
of the Missouri Line, but had, in lS4S, even
offered its extension to the Pacific as final
settlement of the slavery issues. Mr.. Douglas
himself had refused it, and under instructions
from his constituency, himself voted for the
Wilmot Proviso in the case Of Oregon. tie
also pointed out as result of the disturbance
Of the Missouri Line, the present intense, con
centrated and universal outburst of anti.slavery
at the North, in the most overwhelming tenn
pest yet experienced, and what might be the
disastrous effects. The American party South
would address itself to meet them. Mr.. Gun
nnsham also stated that he would never consent
to n restoration of",he Missouri Line; that il
would be unconstitutional, would subject the
South to degrading exclusion from the North.
west Territory, inclusive Of Kansas, and would
hut agsfavate existing excitement and conten
ton. He was willing, in conformity with the
Philadelphia patform-the best national one
ever laid down on the slavery issues-to adopt
the existing legislation on the subject as final
adjustment for the purpose Of peace. But if
not so adopted and abided by, he for ore was
ready for action on the Georgia Platform, or
any other for resistance.