New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-15
THE GREAT AND ONLY ISSUE.


the Southern Democratic prints This letter
confirms the opinion we have all along express
ed, that the question of the extension of Slavery
is to be the real issue in the coming political
campaign. The specific point on which it is
to turn, will be, as Cobb says, the admission
of Kansas as a Slave State into the Union. If
that can be effected, the South is willing to re-
main in the Union and play the oyerseer to it's
cripgiDg Northern slaves, but if that cannot be
Effected it will Immediately discharge them
from its keeping. Here are the identical words
in which the alternative is rendered:
"Thc admission of Kansas Is the paramount ques-
ton Of the day. The position taken by Georgia iu
Der last Legislature is that man worthy of poltl-
eel fellowship who denies the right of Kansas and all
other Territories to into the Union with with
out Slavery, as their people may determine. This 10
The doctrine of the Democratic party of this State and
Of the sound National Democrats of the North. Upon
this bafis the National Democratic party will stand in
the coming contest. la her ranks there will be no
rlsce for Frec-Soilcrs and Abolitionists. The man
who denies this doctrine should and will he deemed un
worthy OF fellowship in the Democratic ranks Pre-
senting as the National Democracy do this catholic
platform TO the country the question comes home to
every Southern to his individual duty IN the
matter. If we desire tie admission Of Kansas and
geek 10 establish firm and lasting foundation the
great principle involved in the question OF her admis-
sion, why should not unite with the only party that
can and will enable us to effect the objectl
Being in the minority in Congre 49, powerless to
carry anv measure except by the aid of votes from tho
North The policy profess affords the only praciica-
BILE mode Of securing the admission OF Kansas az
Slave State. If IT fails, we would be III the same pos,
ton as if We now abandoned our friends at the North
end commenced at once to rely upon our own re-
sources If ON the contrary succeed we shall have
carried our measure, secured our eqaahty ana JUS.
rights and at the time preserved invloate that
American Union which we hold secondary in impor.
'tance only TO the rights and principles 1t was designed
to perpetuate.
Having stated the question in this explicit
and unequyocal way, Mr.. Cobb calls upon the
people of the South of every party and name to
rally to the standard of the old Democratic
party. He reminds them that the patriotic
Wings of Virginia sacrificed their party preju-
dices to coalesce in the support of pro-slavery
Democrat, and he asks whether the Wings of
Georgia wilrbe content to do less. There can
be no divided interest at the South. The sys-
TEN Of Slavery is in danger, its enemies are
growing stronger every day and the only saliva
ton is to unite as one man, with the assistance
of those at the North who are willing to accept
their domination. BY sinking all subordinate
differences and giving cordial and unanimous
support to northern Democrats who adhere to
the institutions of the South, the party of
Slavery extension may become triumphant and
invineible.
There can be no mistake about such talk; it
is to the point-open, bold, and unreseryed.
The policy of the South is union for the sake Of
Slavery, and the only policy by which it can be
met at the North is union for the sake Of Free
dom. No ether division of parties is now prac-
ticable; no other division is now desirable. All
the old grounds of party distinction have been
merged by the course of events in this single
and momentous question, whether our Govern
ment is to be Government of Freemen, or a
Government of Shareholders.
We DO not mean that the people will cease to
cherish their favOrite convictions on the ques-
tions which have so long animated political con-
trOversy, such as the tariff, internal imprOv-
ments, the currency, and more recently of Ma
tivism and Anti-Nativism; but that these ques-
tons will be reserved and put aside for the
more pressing and vital issue which the actual
crisis forces upon our decision. We mean
matters, are now called upon TO act in reference
to wholly distinct affair-a question which
transcends them all in importance-and which,
unless determined on the right side, will plunge
the nation into evils and disasters of incOn-
ceiyable magnitude.
1.-THE passage of the Nebraska-Kansas act,"
says the writer Of late book, exulting over
Al
"cured the triumph of Slavery in the terrific
"ries for at least one hundred years. Yes
this writer utters the truth. If the principles
of the Kansas iniquity are adopted by the PEG.
pie, the vast districts Of the West covering an
area more extensive than that of the most
powerful empires, are hopelessly surrendered
TO the demon Of despOtisu. The General Gov
eminent passes without dispute into the hands
of the tropical Oligarchy; the roll call of Con-
gress will be but the roll-call of feudal princes
who number their vassals aud the morals and
sentiments, as well as the industry of the North,
will pass under the yoke of the gigantic cotton
monopoly
But, tn INK Heaven, ii is yet 10 the power Of
the freemen q the Northern and the Middle
States to avert this impending calamity They
have only to initiate that example of harmOni-
GUS councils and concentrated action which the
Southern dictatOIs propose to themselves aud
their political satraps. Fas est ab hosis doeeri,
says the proverbs it is proper to be taught by
your foes and the North should not be back
ard in Learning the lesson. Its fatal error
hitherto has been its weak, or not to qualify
it too harshly, its amiable compliance in COM