The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-05-03
Why Northern Democrats like
the Doctrine of Squatter sover-

why LdOA CAAOAA ~SAA@SSA~SS A~~~
the Doctrine of Squatter sover-
eighty.
We have received the Albany At
las and Argus, Of Friday, 4th inst,
which contains an article SO preg-
nant with interest to Southern men,
that we give the. material portions OF
it below. The Atlas and Argus is the
chief organ OF the Pierce party in the
great State OF New York, and one OF
the most influential papers otthat par
ty in the Union. Its statements and
opinions, therefore, may justly be con-
sidercd the voice of the Administra-
ton men of the North. Now we beg
to call particular attention to the con-
irmation it gives to the outset, to the
declaration of Mr.. Clemens; that MIR.
Pierce said he favored the Kansas bill
because 1t ,Das a till IN fauor Of free
dom. After this testimony we pre-
sumo Southern Pierce organs will be
mute on this subject. But we are
keeping the reader from the article
alluded to:
WIZ should the North object 10 Pop
ulm SoUcreignty.-lt was ex-senator
Clemens, who gave currency to the
story that President Pierce, during the
tendency of the Nebraska bill, ex-
messed surprise that Northern men
should oppose it, and said that the ef-
feet of the principle embraced in it
would be to restrict, rather than ex-
tend slavery. The remark was a sa7
gacious one. If any portion OF our
people should particularly favor the
policy ofleaving the disposition of the
slavery question to the action of the
residents in the Territories rather than
of Congress, it is that portion which
lavors free Institutions. The Presi-
dent certainly did not, nor do we, ac-.
quiesce in the principle or the Me-
braska Kansas bill, because more or
less favorable to one or the other Sec
ton the Union. On the contrary,
however it nigh, harmonizc with our
prejudiccs orlocal interests, we should
hesitate to approve it, were it not
based upon the doctrine of the cquali-
ty of the States. an exact and impair
tial justice TO every portion of the
country. On this ground it may and
does command the support of intelli-
gent stateHnen and patriots without
regard to local considerations. But
of al! others, Northern men should be
the last to oppose it. They arc pre-
sumed, from education and assocla-
ton, to prefer Institutions which do
not recognize domestic slavery, and
are not expected, either by their dircct
action, or their sympathies. toad in its
extension. Their preferences, Of
course. are to see our Territories como
into the Union as tree States. These
predictions, ne insist, naturally prompt
Mcm--or rather those Of them who
have given the subject calm and philo-
sophie examinaton-to approve the
policy inaugurutcdby Mc organic act cs-
mbliShing the territory Of Kansas and
Nebraska. From these remarks it
will be seen that we contend that the
plan olleaving the people Of Terri
tories free to determine the character
Of their future institutions in respect
to slavery, riU tent 10 bring these Ter
ritories into I'll" Union as free Statcs--
IN other mo'ris, to accomplish precisely
what The ednc"tion md sympathics Of
Northern mcn prompt them 10 desire.
In an extreme Southern territory,
peculiarly and exclusively adapted,
by soil and climate to slave labor. the
causes, which we have enumerated,
might not prove controlling, but they
will prove so, in any territory not now
owned by our government. If the
view which we presented is sound
and we invite those who think other
wise to candid discussion of the SUBJ
ject-uhy should Northern men object
10 The policy adopted by the Kansas aci!
i The South Is content NTH II, why should
The NORTH mu,mur at it! Indeed, do
not Southern men, in supporting it,
show. q magnanimous dcvotionb3o
what they consider II sound principle
of government, at the the expense of
their distinctive interests? And ale
not the 'Republican' agitators, who
are stirring up strife on this subject,
The enemies, no less Of their ovn North
ern section Of the Union, than of the
peace, prosperity and happiness Of
the whole country!