Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-07-16
Democratic vagaries of Principles and

The Democratic party feels all the exigencies
ofthe coming contest is alive to all its dangers,
and with that political astuteness which has al
ways characterized its action is emitting no ex-
ertlon and avoiding no sacrifice of either princi-
pie or practice that can recommend it in any
section OF the country or remove from its path
one obstacle to success. The proceedings OF the
Democratic party in the Senate during the last
week furnishes pre-eminent examples OF its ia
city IN abandoning principle to secure tenn
porary purpose. The Kansas-Nebraska bill
proceeded entirely upon the supposition that
that the people Of q territory are supreme in
the management ofits internal affairs; that they
may rule its legislation and shape its institutions
without control, the only power of Congress in
the matter being that of refusing the nascent
State admission to the Union, if its institutions
are not republican or otherwise agreeable to
the majority. This dogma was earnestly stated
in the platform ofprinciples adopted at Clncnna-
II and Its existence there acknowledged by MIR.
Buchanan when he declared in his letter of ac-
ceptance that the principle was as ancient
as free government ITSELF and that 1t simply
declared that the people OF territory, like
those OF State, shall or shall not exist within
their limits" Yet this broad affirmation of
the principles of territorial sovereignty, SOL
and especially endorsed by their candidate, has
been solemnly repudiated and especially discred
tied by the Democratic party in that branch of
the National Legislature in which they have
undisputed control To calm the agitation that
the Kansas excitement had occasioned at the
North it deliberately repealed and declared
void laws passed by the Kansas Legislature,
whilst at the same time unfolding the legality
of that Legislature. 1t is true that the laws re-
Epealed were unjust and improper ones; such, as
Senator Cass aptly described them, as ought
never to have been passed. But their merit is
no part of the question. The Democratic party
had solemnly abiured the right to supervise the
acts of territorial Legislatures, and yet on the
first occasion demanding interference it recs-
serts in practice that right and casts its former
declarations to the winds.
Not less striking is the action Of the Senate in
passing over the Presidents vetoes, the bills for
the Improvement of the Mississippi river and the
St. Clair Flats. The President no doubt cor
rectly interpreted that section of the Democrat
ic platform which declared against q general
system of internal improvements; yet we find
his arguments secuted and his decisions reversed
in body that claims to be the peculiar exem-
plication of Democratic consistency Nay, we
find Mr. Cass urging the claims of these i'm
provements as national and constitutional, in ar
guments that years ago fell familiarly from the
lips of Clay and Webster, and were then de-
nounced as the very heresy of Whggery.
We are by no means finding fault with the
action of the Senate in either of the cases re-
ferred to- On the contrary, We hope to see the
Kansas bill, with its practical reputation of
squatter, sovereignty, become law, and desire
most earnestly that the House may agree with
the Senate in passing, without the Presidents
consent, all bills for internal improvements of q
national and constitutional character. But we
must claim that the Democratic party should
let the country know where it stands that if it
means to repudiate the peculiar doctrines of its
platform and throw itself back upon good old
Wing practice it should let that fact be known.
1t has no right to display one chart Of princi-
pies to the world and act by another. Has it
really reformed, or is its present action only in
duced by the pressure of circumstances Bal
tinore american.