The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-24
DEMOCRATIC" PRINCIPLES.

| cAtcusiOu LAS DecOmc tn6 COrucI-
stone of the Sham Democracy. All who op-
pose it are set down as enemies to the country,
| enemies of the Union, and it will not be denied
that they are enemies to the cause of Buchan-
an and Breckenridge. We subjoin few ex-
tracts from leading newspapers enlisted in the
support of these gentlemen, which prove the
| truth of the above assertion.
We begin our extracts with the Alabama
Journal, published at Montgomery, the seat of
| Government, and the leading expounder of
Democracy in that region:
ain fact" says the Journal, "the Demo
| cratic sentiment North is beginning to assimi-
late that of the South, so that is the revulsion
| of public opinion, from the violence Of our enc
| mics; and the Democrats who have so expli-
| city committed themselves, by the Cincinnati
platform, in favor of the right of Slavery-ex
sion, will be compelled to maintain the institu-
ton of Slavery itself. They cannot admit it
| to be social and political evil, degrading and
ruinous to the country where it exists, and yet
consent to its extension. They would be driv
en-, admitting its constitutional rights, to advo-
cate disunion as the only remedy; and this is
the remedy of Black Republication, and must
be the remedy Of the South, if the Union af.
fords her no protection"
Our next extract is from the Richmond En-
quirer, the time-honored organ of Virginia
Democracy, and unquestionably the most in
huential journal in the South, for that very
reason. The Enquirer's article is headed
Slacery Extension Beneficial to the North"
and that quoted from the alabama Journal
has similar caption.
The editor of the Enquirer is cool and dis.
passionate. Hear him.
"Why does the North oppose the extension
of Slavery? What possible injury or loss can
she sustain from either the existence or the ex.
tension of Slavery? What injury will result to
the slaves by such extension2 How does it
advance the cause of either humanity, philan-
throphy, or abolition, to con6ne Slavery to its
present limits? In fine, what earthly provoca-
ton have we given to the isms of the North
for flying into furious passion, simply because
we assert our equal rights to the common ter
ritories? We do wish that dispassionate men
(if there be such among them would take these
questions into calm and sober consideration,
and give calm and sober replies to them," &c.
awe propose to introduce no more slaves
into the country, but, by their dispersion and
diffusion over q larger space, to increase their
ualue. 1t is notorious that all men, whatever,
take most care of that property which is most
valuable. 1t is obvious, then, that the extern
sion of Slavery improves the condition of the
slave. But what shall we reply to those whose
intense affection for the negro is like that of
Virginius for his daughter, and who would coop
him up and starve him, in order to relieve him
from slavery by visiting him with death All
We can answer is, Your scheme is impracti-
cable
The Enquirer is moderate in its demands
1t only demands room for expansion, but valves
the right of reviving the African slave trade.
The latter right, however, is pertinaciously in
sisted on by the South Carolina Democracy
en- masse, as we'll as by most of the supporters
of Buchanan in the South. The Enquirer is
growing polite. But, another extract:
ave cannot pass over this part of our SUBJ
ject without protesting that the Southerner likes
his slave, not merely and solely because he is
his most valuable property, but more, still
because he Is a man and his fellow-being; and, |
most of all, because he is slave-dependent |
on him and obedient to him. Northern men |
can understand the powerful influences of these |
latter sources of attachment, for they we'll know
that all the family affections proceed from them. |
But, why cite the family as an argument for |
Slavery to men who have resolved to break up |
the family in order to carry out their princi. |
Piles and to preserve their consistency"
Wepass over the unjust aspersion of the whole |
North, based on the vagaries or the lcentious-
ness of few fanatics and knaves, as inconsist-
ent with the dispassionate appeal to reason,
with which the Enquirer sets out We must
not omit, however, to call attention to the En-
gurer's utter "unsoundness" on the subject of
races. The Examiner, of the same city, laid
it down emphatically, few years ago, that the
negro is not MAN, and admitted that it would
be criminal to hold MAN in slavery The
organ in New York. the Day Book -
by the way, the only Buchanan paper that we
have any knowledge of in that great city-main.
tains the same proposition with might and main,
and regards all who uphold the manhood of the
negro as fanatics. The Enquirer will lose caste,
at this rate.
But the following extract touches the pocket
and, as friends to Northern interests, we must
not omit it. The Enquirer continues,
But we will proceed to treat this subject in
its true and practical aspects. The extension
OF Slavery greatly benefits the North, by in
oreaslng the field of its commerce, keeping
down competition, and enlarging the market
Tor Its manufactures. 1t also furnishes to the
Northeast more abundant and cheaper SUD-
ply OF food and cheaper raw materials for it's
workshops and factories. 1t will enable the
North to con6ne herself chiefly to light, easy,
indoor work, and to skillful occupations, which
pay well, whilst the slaves on more fertile soils,
are producing by hard outdoor work, (which
best suits them,) increased quantities of grain
and raw materials, to exchange with her for
and manufactures of all kinds.
Thus the Increased value of the slaves will be
shared by the North and the South--ths North,
no doubt, getting the larger share. All the
whiie' the negroes will be improving in treat
ment and condition. Northerners will extend
Pr settle themselves alongside the shareholders,
y they have done in Missouri, Kentucky, Vir,
yinia, and the whole South"
We will conclude our extracts from the arti-
Gle of the Enquirer with what may be regarded
As the snapper" and it is to be hoped that
he Northern Democracy will give heed to it.
Are they not willing to contribute all their
bowers towards giving the South-that is to
say, the Slave Intsrest-the ascendency in the
Union? Of course they are:
" But, urge some, new slave States will give
The South the control of the Government. So
much the better, so long as che exerts that con.
troll to improve the condition of the North and
the South, the master and the slave. Would to
Heaven we could see any prospect ahead of
Southern ascendency; for then, and not till
hen, we should entertain hopes of continued
peace and amity, union and Conservatism
I. We have already referred to the New York