Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1856-10-01


with, or control the domestic institutions Of
the several States, and that such States are
the sole and proper judges Of everything sp-
pertaining TO their own affairs no, prohibited
by the Constitution; that all efforts Of the
Aboli ionists or others, made 10 induce Con-
gress to interfere with questions Of slavery, or
to take incipient steps in relation thereto are
calculated 10 lead to the most alarming aud
dangerous consequences, &c"
Now it is not uncommon for pettfogger
who discovers that his ca q cannot safely rest
upon fair argument, TO create false issue,
foreign 10 the case, about which the parties
have no dispute and if he is able to con-
vince the jury thai it is the real issue, his
case appears more just. Who says that Con-
gress has power to interfere with slavery in
the Statesi The Republicans claim for il
no such power, but that il has power only %
prohibit Il in Territories therefore ihis gun
entirely oyershoots the mark add hits no-
body.
But the issue is finally met. After en-
dorsng the fugitive slave law and declaring
that it cannot with fidelity be repealed, or
so changed as to impair its efficiency, the re-
peal of the. Compromise of 1920, throwing
open that vast territory North Of it to sla-
very is included and we hear of another e.
nality in the following language Z" That the
democrats party will resist all attempts at
renewing, in Congress or out Of it, the agi-
tation of the slavery question under what
ever shape or color the attempt may be
made Now that the North have been
robbed Of this Territory for which they paid
The stipulated price--the admission Of Mis-
souri, as Save State the robbers step up
with sanctimonons air, their eyes suffused
with erockode tears for the safety # the
dear Union, and say that slavery" agitation"
must cease. But wherefore? Are they
really afraid, as they say, that the Union
will split? The partialties ofthe Admins
tration. calculated 10 provoke to rebellion
preclude the probability. II any such fears
exist. it is very unphilosophical 10 suppose
them to appear il taunts, neglecis and ag-
gres>iye war for opinions sake
But who are the "agitators' Did not
4 this very conservative demo ratio party" "agi-
| tate" the country from one end 10 the other,
by repeating he Missouri Compact against
the will OF the people, when the Compromise
I So I : St1 II ~, h.. And ha
not every act of the Administration mvov-
ing the question, been subseryieni 10 the
slave power, thus provoking discussion and
q agitation, And dues not the party en-
dorse the Administration! Now they tell
US agitation must cease. When did this
repentance come over Them, and here Is a
single proof that u has come over them at
all We must not Judge men By the appa-
rent sincerely Of their professions when their
conduct rebukes them. Words are cheap
and often deceptive. When the practice of
men comports with the profession, and only
/ then are we under the remoiest obligation to
believe them. The truth is clear to every
well informed person, If the past is any in
/ dex TO the future. that these " agitators" will
lot cease while The union between slaveoc
racy and democracy subsists, and territory
can be found to conquer.
But before leaving This point wish to
show more clearly that the democratic party
cannot be believed--that their professions are
false-and also that this immaculate platform
! palpably contradcis itself. After declaring
that {" the American democracy recognize
aud adopt the principles contained in the or
ganic laws establishing the Territories of
Kansas and Nebraska, as embodying the on
! " sound and safe solution of the slavery
question" the resolution closes with the fol-
lowing maxim as their rule of action g Nom
interference by Congress with slavery in the
Territories or in the District of Columbia"
This maxim of non-interference the plat
form states to have been the basis of the
Compro Mise Of 1850, and to have been con-
firmed by both The whig and democratic par
ties. And yet in 1854 the whole force of
the Administration is employed 10 " inter-
fere'' with the slavery question" in Terri
tory where it had been settled for "a years.
I Now they come forward and tell us that the
doctrine of non-interierence was rightly
applied to the organization of Territories in
| 1854
But the party may deny that removing
| This restriction is " inrerference"-that il was
only remocinq an interference" If this
Ground is taken it admits the whole argu-
ment that the slaveocracy, alias democracy
will not cease TO g ag tate while Territory
or States prohibit the introduction of slavery;
and this is in reality the issue to which the
North will be finally5 driven. This conclu-
sion is justified by the concurrent force of
pasi events, unequivocally showing the de-
sign to make slavery national regardless of
law or the popular will.
+. The I'd clause Of see. Of the 4ih Article
of the u. S. Con. confers upon Congress
power TO dispose of the question of Slavery
in that manner 1t may judge "needtul' in
the following language: :. The Congress
shall have power to dispose of and make all
needful rules and regulations respecting the
Territory OF other properly belonging iotle
United States, &c" Ia relation 10 the Dis
trict of Columbia the language is still strong
err (see last part Of sec. Of Article lsD
- The Congress shall have power to exer-
else exclusive legislation in all cases whaIso-
ever, over such District, (not exceeding ten
miles square) as may, BY cession of particu-