Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-07-01
FALSE COLORs.

hesion 10 principles since the DAYS of jefferson
aud yet there has been no party who have pad
as little regard TO princi ples-who have so often
trimmed their sails 10 meet the breeze, as tue
one now attempting TO sail under the name OF
Democracy in fact. Ii may be truly said that
the only similarity between the present admin
isiration party Of the United States and the
Democratic party in the days of Jefferson and
jackson, Is an adhesion TO the name. The prip-
clples enumerated and established by those
statesmen, are long since repudiated IS undem-
ocratic. But 10 come down to the more recent
questions OF the dly-ehe power of Congress to
leg7late over Territories, aud Slavery extension.
President Polk, who was considered a very
good Democrat, and who was called - Young
Hickory" IN consequence of his strong adhe-
sion to what we're then termed the principles
of the Democratic party, speaking upon this
:" vexed question" in Franklin Co, Tenn. re-
marked:
Il is obvious TO every mind that the power
to legISiate over the Territories Of the United
States must reside somewhere and where can il
be dyed, except nrst, IL the inhabitants OF the
territories; OF, second IN the several States as
sucil thirdly, n tie United Sia.es.
l. It Cannot De lodged III the inhabitants of
inhabitants of the Territories, tLey al once
~ that fact, no longer Territories, Dat sovereign
States, for the right 10 make laws Is the first
and highest prerUga:Iye Of sovereignty.
= II cannot be vested IN the several States,
uUr the people Of the several States.
3. Then 1t follows Of necessity that this pow :
WAS lodged by the theory and constitution
Of our government iii the United States.
In discussing aud celebrating upon the con
StltutIonal questions connected with Slavery,
We ought never 70 lose sight of tie truth that
slaves are al the same time both persons aid
property.
1t would seem to follow that if Congress has
the right to govern the Territories, she also has
the right TO enact laws FOR them affecting slaves
50 far Is they are persons and slavery IA - far
as Ii Is made up OF personality
This vas considered good Jefersonian demo
cratic doctrine when Mr.. Polk was President
Ga the 5ch of September, 1919. the Detnocra-
cy OF Wisconsin, IN convention at Madison,
adopted the following resolutions
Resol,ef That ali national laws which sus-
tain Or recognize Slavery, except where the IN
sttUtion exists rs 4 distinct State right, should
be iealed.
Resoirsd, That we believe it TO be the duty
of Congress to Incorporate the provision OF the
ordinance Of 1881. prohibiting slavery or invol-
untary servItpGe .:t0 all territorial organic acts
hereafter 10 be passed, and TO oppose tie adj
mission into the uion of any new slave States"
Such was held to be good democratic doc
trine in lsi3, ltkoush We are told now that the
adoption Of these resolutions was only for TIE
purpose OF catching the woes of free-soilers -
Such IS known TO be the real sentiments of more
than nine tenths Of the voters of Wisconsin at
this sine, and such Is the doctrine preached to
free-soi Democrats, ana Will continue to be
thru ghout the present campaign. and under
whleh false eoIols Fhey hope 10 secure votes for
lanes Buchanan, aai the entire sham democrat
ic ticket hereafter 10 be nominated.
But two year ago the Democracy OF this Con-
gre>sionaI District declared
e That neither IN the acquisition Of new ter
Tltogy nor IN The !er-iturIal organization thereof
can any conditions be cous,i,u,ioualiy Imposed,
or institutions provided or Is abiIshed iucun-
slstent with tie rights q tie people thereof 10
form a free, sovereign State, with the powers
aud privileges Of the original men bers Of the
eonfederacy."
This resolution was part Of the celebrated
Dickinson doctrine oflS47, which met with the
favor Of the most ultra pro-slavery leaders of
South Carolina; which was intended to be car
led out by Douglas IL &C. in the Nebraska bill,
Cincinnati have reiterated in their non inter
yea:ion policy.
In addition to this doctrine Of non-interven-
ton, w now have promulgated a new phase
called :. State Equality" or the equality of all
the States which the recently adopted plat
to-In-of the gutta percha Democracy say VIII
be preserved intact" As this State Equality"
plank i new one in their platform, lie. ~
See what IS intended by it by those for whom
it inserted, the shareholders Of tie South
As defined by Mr.. Calhoun in 1850 it is, that
the Constitution protects the property of ali the
States equally, and carries such property 9th it
lssereeer Il haag go.
The Charleston Mercury puts the case thus:
a The ensuing Presidential canvass, which
Will probably determine the fake Of the Union
VIII ttirH almost SOLELY OK tbs QUESTION OF
STATE FCUALITY. None cds c0SlsIst- 7ta or erect
'oHg e01fl16 for state oqao ill., 5io 20 fol hold that
TIE 1St,t0fo II tie South and tie socid' forms Of
lie eott2. are sgaG!iy EIGHTFJL, LFGIIINAL. MORAL
aud PROM, TIvE 81 human happiness a5d yell erg
f5h those q TIE North. Ii slave succty be ipte-
rlor II these respects 10 free society, we Of lie
South are wrong aad criminal III TIuJoslug 10
extend II 10 new territory. and the North night
IN eSe-ilng Itself 20 tie utmost 10 prevent such
extension"
Here IS candid acknowledgement of the
real issue before the people rs it is set forth in
the South, and As it is understood by the lea
ders IN the North. The resolutions of the State
Convention Of the Illinois democracy declare:
a. That he Constitution of tie United States
Is toUnde on the fundamental principle Of En-
TIRE AND ABSOLUTE EQUALITY among ALL the
STATES, md il = not competent for the Congress
a. any otser poser to impose upon new States
c0"''tg INTO TIE Union any condition or restric-
ton ~ 10 their domestic institutions or internal
concerns.
But lere in Wisconsin. where the Democracy
dare net come cut boldly upon this question. It
Is clai'ned that the Democratic party is TIE party
opposed TO Slavery extension
"e ask our readers TO examine carefully the
principles Of tie party claiming the name of
Democracy Tor few ycrr5 past. and see If they
can mad one particle Of resemblance between
theirs and those Of jefferson and jackson. We
ask them if they are ready to admit the ip.,i.u.
lion Of Slavery = equally risLtful. legitimate