The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-30
THE RACE OF HUMILIATION.

The strife between the two sections of the
Democratic party in this State, called Soffs and
Hards, seems to consist in a rivalry for the IA
yor of the South, in which the Hards, who are
the holder and more reckless of the two, mas
much as they have nothing to lose, manage to
keep a little ahead of their competitors. Both
are persevering, but the Hards are by far the
most inventive and enterprising. The Hards
are the pioneers, but the Softs tread closely on
their kibes. AS soon as the party which fol-
lows the lead of Mr.. Dickinson gives new
proof of loyalty to the South, and its peculiar
institution, the rival division of the party
matches it with another proof as strong. In
this way, it is wonderful what progress they
have made. The starting point from which
both set out is left so far behind, that it is quite
out of sight.
Time was when no one, not even Mr.. Cal
houn himself, questioned the power or expe-
diency of excluding Slavery from the Terrific
ries in certain cases. Senator Dickinson and
his friends at one time admitted the propriety
of exercising this power, only they were very
anxious that it should not be exercised unne-
cessarily or prematurely Mr.. Dickinson, when
he wished to make friends abroad, to indemnify
himself for the loss of friends at home, voted
and spoke against the Jeffersonian ordinance,
not denying that it was wise and constitutional,
which he declared it to be, but urging that in
the case of territory coded to us by Mexico, in
which all the inhabitants were free, such a
proviso was superfuous, and that it ought not
to be made condition to treaty by which
territory was acquired. This shows where he
and his friends stood eight years since but
both parties in this shameful competition have
left that position leagues behind them.
Since that time, the Fugitive Slave Law has
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adopted the measure with aacrity, supporting
it both in and out of Congress. The leaders of
the other wing of the Democratic party pouted
awhile, then acquiesced, and claimed to be as
loyal to the South on that score as their rivals.
The Nebraska bill was the next measure by
which this loyalty was put to the proof. The
Dickinson faction took ground as its earliest
and most jealous supporters; their rivals were
at first startled by so gross breach of faith,
but at length they lent it votes enough in Con-
gress to carry it, and after a time submissively
acquiesced in the measure as final. They have
given the South to understand that they will
not quarrel with it on that score.
Since the passage of the Nebraska bill, the
doctrine has been proclaimed at the South, that
Slavery is a national institution; that the Fed
eral Constitution carries Slavery wherever its
authority extends; and that the owner of a
slave in the Southern States is still his owner, if
he takes him into free State That is the
doctrine maintained by the Southern journals
that is the doctrine of the Administration organ
at the seat of Government; that is the doctrine
laid down by Judge Kane in the case of Pass
more Williamson. The Dickinson party take
the lead of their rivals by adopting it. the Softs
pay their court court to the South by silently
acknowledging its soundness.
Since the passage of the Nebraska act, also,
a revolutionary movement has taken place
an acknowledged act of violence-by which the
electors of Kansas have been driven from the
polls, and set of prohigate adventures from
Missouri imposed on them as Legislature,
who are now busy in framing what they cali
laws, with view of excluding and expelling
from the Territory all who are not friendly to
the introduction of Slavery. The Administra-
ton of Mr.. Pierce connives at these atrocities,
and the friends of Mr.. Dickinson applaud them.
"We are the good friends of the South" say
they, Sand we think the Missourians have done
what is perfectly right and proper" The Softs
on their part pause awhile, and then rejoin:
"We are as good friends of the South as you,
and we will not say that the Missourians have
done wrong."-M r Erening Post.