The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-06-25

ment ieel, ana IN accoruance Wtun tneW,
has simply declared that abe people of a Ter.
ritory, like those Of State, snail decide for
themselves, whether slavery shall or shall not
exist within their limits.
The Nebraska. Kansas Act does no more
than give the force of law to this elementary
principle of self.government; declaring il to
be "lhe true intent and meaning of this act
not to Iegsla,e slavery into any Territory or
State, nor 10 exclude il ,herefrom but 10
leave The people thereof perfectly free TO form
ard regulate, their domestic, institutions in
their own way, subjec, only 10 the CSatti,u.
lion of the United States" This principle
will surely not be controver,ed BY any indi-
vidual of any party protesting devotion 10
popular Government. Besides, how vain and
illusory would any other principle prove in
practice in regard 10 the Territories! This 10
apparent from the fact admitted by all, that
after Territory shall have entered the Union
and become Slate, no Constitutional power
would then exist which could prevent it from
either abolishing or establishing slavery, o.
the case may be, according to It's sovereign
will and pleasure.
Mos, happy would ii be LOT the country II
this long agitation were al an end. During
its whole progress II has Produced no prac!i.
cal good to any human being, whilst it has
been The source of grea' and dangerous evils.
II has alisnated and esiranged one portion of
The Union from the other, and has eveh seii.
ousy threatened its very existence. To my
own personal knowledge, it hasproduced the
impression among foreign nations that our
great and glorious confederacy is IN constan.
danger of dissolution. This does no serious
injury, because acknowledged power and
stability always command respect among ma.
lions, and are among the best securities a
gainst unjust aggression and in favor of the
maintenance Of honorable peace.
May we not hope that il is the mission of
the Democratic party, now The only surviv-
ing conservative party of the country, ere
long 10 overthrow oil sectional parties and 10.
store peace, friendship and mutual confidence
which prevailed in the good old time, among
the different members of the confederacy.---
lis character is strictly national, and it there.
fore asserts no principle for the guidance of
the Federal Government which is not adop:.
ed and sustained by it's members in each and
every State. For this reason tits everywhere
the same determined foe Of all geographical
parties, SO much and go justly dreaded by the
Father of his Country. From IFS very nature
II must continue 10 exist so long as there is
Constitution and Union TO preserve. A
conviction of these truths has induced many
of the purest, the ablest and most independ-
ent Of our former opponents, who have diff
fered from us in times gone by upon old
and extinct party issues, 10 come into out
ranks and devote themselves with us to the
cause OF the Constitution and the Union
Under these circumstances, most cheerfully
pledge myself, should the nomination of the
Convention be ratified by The people, that aIl
the power and influence, consllutionally
possessed by the Executive, shall be exert
ed, in firm but conciatoty spirit, during
store the same harmony among the sister
States which preyaled before this apple of
discord, in the form Of slavery agitation, had
been cast Into their midst. Let The members
of the family abstain from iniermedIing with
the exclusive domestic concern of each 9th.
or, and cordially unite, on the basis of per-
feet equality among themselves, in promo
ting the great national object of common in.
lerest 10 all, and the good work will be in-
slanlly accomplished.
In regard 10 our foreign policy, to which
you have referred 10 in your communication,
1t is quite impossible for any human fore
knowledge TO prescribe positive rules in adj
vance, 10 regulate the conduct of future ad.
minisiration in all the exigencies which may
arise in our various and ever changing Iela-
tions with foreign powers. The Federal Gov
eminent must of necessity exercise sound
discretion in dealing with International ques.
lions as they may occur; but this under the
stric, responsibility which the Executive musi
always feel 10 the people of the United States
and the judgment Of posteriiy. You will
therefore excuse me for moi entering into par
iiculars whilst | heartily concur with You 10
the general sentiment, that our foreign affairs
ought TO be conducted with such wisdom
and firmness as TO assure the prosperity Of
the people al home, whilst tine interests and
honor of our country are wisely but infiexi-
bly, maintained abroad. Our foreigL policy
ough, never to be based upon the principle
of doing justice 10 all the nations, and requi-
ring justice from them in return; and from
this principle shall ne, er depart.
Should be placed in the Executive Chair,
shall use my best exertions TO cultivate
peace and friendship with all nations, believ.
ing this to be our highest policy as well as
our most imperative cuty; but at the same
time, shall never forget that in case the me-
cessiiy should arise, which do not now ap.
prehend, onr national rights and honor must
be preserved at all hazards and al any sac
ri6ce.
Firmly convinced that special Providence
governs the affairs of nations, lei US humbiy
implore discontinued blessing upon our coun-
try, and tha. he may avert from US the pun
ishment we justly deserve for being discon-
tented and ungrateful whilst enjoying privile.