The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-10

THE TRUE ISSUE.

me Union
TIE TRUE ISSUE.
In the present article win attempt to show that the
actual issue in the conflict which is agadng the pub
lie mind is upon any specific measures OF he o. poJ
but upon broad and fundamental principles
The question which lies upon the surface Of the contest
is whether slavery shall be extended to new Territories
This however is the accurate form OF The issue Inc
meaning Of the question Is whether the iederai au'hot
shall be ueposed to prevent that extenson@ very an
erent thing from the question first stated Inc issue =
not whether we wish 1t TO be extended.
But who is 10 determined Has the national leglsla-
ture any power determine that question: The federal
authority is bound TO guaranty to each Of the States re-
publican form CT government Can il also interfere WHO
lis domestic institutions and prohibit slavery We cannot
find that power in the constitution The issue then on
this first point is whether the national legislature shall
overlap its constitutional powers and by usurpalon pro
hbit slavery in any Of the States which II creates
The democratic party, in the position which IL takes
against abolionsm in this ISSUE is the true Stae-rghs
party.
But aboliionsm The point of raising an issue
still more fundamental than this BY its support OF a
Speaker Of the House who declares that the federal const
tuition does recognise property in and by the tone
of sentiment which is ginning strength in that mcon "
10 be preparing 10 attempt the abolition oil slavery
in the old States by the federal power If this issue should
be formed directly indirectly, we shall need 10 under
stand its import and bearings.
This is question of the most grave ana solemn I'M
port. 1t seems impossible TO beat the idea through
the skulls whether hard soit OF uulltudes OF en-
thusasts, that general government is, IN Its ORR
gin and nature, a confederacy Of sovereign nations,
having prior to and above the constitution, all the
rig hts of independent peoples and that power can be
possessed by that conederacy which is not conferred
expressly by necessary inference 10y the compact OF
union If that compact does not give the power of inter-
ference with domestic servtude the federal government
has no power interfere with it. SO that the question Is
not whether tue federal constitution recognises property
in man. but whether it prohibits it, Is not this idea clear
Can it penetrate all sorts of skulls Then If you at
tempt to abolish modify slavery by federal authority
you transcend and destroy the constitution. This is what
thousands of aboonists avowedy ready to do and
what thousands of others will aid them to do II they con-
tuue their blind and anatical The federal abo-
on of slavery will be the abolition of the constitution
The democratic party, in lis opposition to abouonism
on this issue, is the true constitutional party.
We go further There are circumstances about this alb
clifton faction that make the issue fundamental STILL
First the unprucped character OF the leaders OF the e
ton is circumstance worthy of careful attention How
the well-meaning who follow them suppose that
Horace Greeley Thurow Weed James Watson Webb, and
company, lead them to any good resnltf What 90
they mean by following such with such blind devo
ton and obedience2 What such men for black sia-
very? Next leader of the whole band is baptized and
consecrdted socialism, What is socialism, 1t Is NE
Capitalization Of all property IN the government 1t s me
distribution Of the people, not IN families but in herds And
this for the hostility of socialism to negro slavery
because slavery dse the whites the coun-
in families which is just the arrangement which go
c,asm hates and agapst This accounts, ALSO for
the socialists base operations in the city of New York
How religious people follow this Infamous corrupter
of our YOUTH They turn their backs to George Wash
ington and Their faces to Horace Greeley
The democratic party, in sternly wthstandng abolition
ism on this issue the party of liberty Our democ-
racy is the sacred shield of the family the church. and the
State
What them is the proper platform of public sentiment
upon which the democratic party should plant itsefF 1t
is not any particular view of slavery but it is radical and
fundamental principle Its import is first that each State
may manage its internal affairs without interference
except bv express warrant of the constitutions secondly
that the constitution itself must be sacredy observed and
resolu,ely defended with perpetual fidelity thirdly that
the liberties for which fathers fought and which have
come to us as the heritage of many centuries must be
served from the cunning and the violence of wicked men
This is our platform On our banner should appear the
inscription ESTATE mGHTs-THB commandment
In the defence Of that standard should draw the sword
Of argument and WELD the weapon Of the ballot; and
ny THIS slss WE SHALL CONQUER. A. b. j.
NEW HAVEN February 7, 1856.