The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-24

to allay the dangerous excitement. This
legislation is founded upon principles q:
ancient as free government itself, and in &C
cordance with them has simply declared
that the people of Territory, like those Of
a State, shall decide for themselves whether
slavery shall or shall not exist within theil
| limits.
The Nebraska Kansas act does no moro
than give the force of law to this elemental
ry principle of self-government; declaring
it to be 1.-The true intent and meaning of this
act not to legislate slavery into any Terri
tory or State, nor to exclude it tkerefrom
but to leave the people thereof perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic
| institutions in their own way, subject only
! to the Constitution of the United States"
| This principle will surely not be cOntrovert-
ed by any individual of any party profess
! ing devotion to popular Government. Be-
| sides, how vain and illusory would any other
principle prove in practice in regard to the
Territories This is apparent from the
fact, admitted by all, that after Territory
shall have entered the Union and become
a State, 10 constitutional power would then
exist which could prevent it from either
uboli>hing or establishing slavery, as the
case may be, according to its sovereign will
and pleasure.
Most happy would it be for the country
if this long agitation were at All end. Dur
inc -, ,rb,,Ia rro,rroS. II boS Dro1uce1 M
practical good to any human being, while it
has been the source of great and dangerous
evils. 1t has alienated and estranged one
portion of the Union from the other, and
has even seriously threatened its very exis-
tcnoe. To my own personal knowledge, it
has produced the impression among foreign
nations that our great and glorious COnfed-
eraoy is in constant danger of dissolution.
knowledgcd power and stability always
command respect among nations, and are
among the best securities against unjust
aggression and in favor of the maintenance
of honorable peace.
May we not hope that it Is the mission of
tho Democratic party, now the only sur
viving conservative party of the country,
ere long to overthrow all sectional parties,
and restore the peace, friendship and mutu-
al confidence which prevailed in the good
old time, among the different members of
the Confederacy. Its character is strictly
National, and it therefore asserts no princi-
pie for the guidance of the Federal Gov
ernmcnt which is not adopted and sustained
by its members in each and every State
For this reason it is everywhere the same
determined foe of all geographical parties,
so much and so justly dreaded by the Father
of his Country. From its very nature it
must continue to exist so long as there is a
Constitution and a Union to preserve. A
conviction of these truths has induced many
of the purcst, the a5lest and most indepen-
dent of our former opponents, who have diff
fcred from us in times gone by upon old and
extinct party issues, to come into our ranks
and devote themselves with US, to the cause
of the Constitution and the Union.
Under these circumstances, most cheer
of the Convention be ratified by the peo-
pie, that all the power and influence con-
stitutionally possessed by the Executive,
shall be exerted in a firm but conciliatory
spirit, during the single term shall remain
in office, to restore the same harmony among
the sister States which prevailed before this
apple of discord in the form of slavery agi-
tation, had been cast into their midst. Let
tcrmcddling with the exclusive domestic
concerns of each other, and cordially unite,
on the basis of perfect equality among them
selves, in promoting the great national OBJ
good work will be instantly accomplished.
In regard to our foreign policy, to which
you have referred in your communication
it is quite impossible for any human fore
knowledge to prescribe positive rules in
advance, to regulate the conduct of future
Administration in all the exigencies which
may arise in our various and ever changing
relations with foreign powers. The FEEDER
sound discretion in dealing with interna-
tional questions as they may occur; but
this under the strict responsibility which
the Executive must always feel to the peo-
pie of the United States and the Judgment
of rosterity. You will, therefore, excuse
me for not entering into particulars while
heartily concur with you in the general
sentiment, that our foreign affairs ought to
be conducted with such wisdom and firm
ness as to assure the prosperity of the peo-
pie at home, while the interests and honor
of our country are wisely but inflexibly
maintained abroad. Our foreign policy
ought ever to be based upon the principle
of doing justice to all nations, and requir-
ing justice from them in return; and from
this principle / shall never depart.
Should ] be placed in the Executive
Chair, l shall use my best exertions to Gull
tivate peace and friendship with all nations,
fbis 70 ba our