Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-06-19


all our misfortunes and connections. Had
it not been done, that repose and quiet |
which pervaded the public mi nd then would
hold it in tranquility to-day. Instead of
startling events we should have quiet and
peace within our borders, and that fraternal
feeling which ought to animate the citizens
of every part of the Union toward those of
all other sections.
Sir, the events that are taking place a.
round US are indeed startling. They chal-
lenge the public mind and appeal to the pub
lie judgment; they thrill the public nerve as
electricity imparts tremuloas motion to
the telegraphic wire. 1t is period when
all good men should unite in applying tae
the proper remedy to secure peace and bar
mony to the country. Is this TO be done by
any OF us by remaining associated with those
who have been instrumental in producing
these results and who now justify them. |
do not see my duty lying in that direction.
| have, while temporarily acquiesclng,
stated here &at home everywhere uniformly,
that when the tests of those measures were
applied 10 me as one of party fidelity, !
would sunder them as fax is sundered at the
touch of fire. do it now.
The occasion involves question ofmora
duty; and seli-respect allow me no other line
of duty but to follow the dictates of my
own judgment and the impulses of my Own
heart. A just man may cheerfully submit
to many enforced hnniiiations, but SELF
degraded m IN has ceased to be worthy to be
deemed a man at all.
Sir, what has the recent Democratic Con-
vention at Cincinnati Done! lthas endorsed
the measure | have condemned, and has
sanctioned its destructive and ruinous et-
fects. 1t has done more, vastly more. That
principle of policy of Territorial sovereignty
which once had, and which ] suppose now
has, its advocates within these walls, is
stricken, down; and there is an absolute
denial of it in the resolution of the Conven-
ton, if l can draw right conclusons-a
denial equally to Congress, and even to the
people of the Territories, of the right to set
tie the question of slavery therein. Ga the
contrary, the Convention has actually in
corporated into the platform of the Democra-
tic party that doctrine which, only a few
years ago, met nothing but rid;cule and con-
tempt, here and elsewhere, namely. that the
flag of the Federal Union. under the Con-
stitution of the United States, carrIes
slavery wherever it floats. II this baleful
prime ipe be true, then that national rode
which inspires US always as on Il battlefield
should be rewritten by Drake, and should
read thus:
Forever float that standard sheet,
Wmr breathes the toe bit falls before US,
Where SIAvERY's soil beneath our feet,
And SLlvERY's banner streaming DER u.s.
Now, sir, what is the precise condition in
which this matter is left by the Cincinnati
Convention! | do not design to trespass
MANY moments on the Senate; but allow me
to read and offer very few comments upon
some portions of the Democratic platform.
The first resolution that treats upon the sub
iect is in these words-I read Just 5, much
of it as is applicable to my present remarks:
THAT Congress has DO power under the
Constitution to interfere with or control the
domestic in ,titutions of the several S ates
and that all such States are the sole and
proper Judges of every thing appe. taing to
their own affairs not prohibited by the Con-
stitution."
take it that this language thus far is Ian
guage which meets a willing and ready re-
sponse from every Senator here; certainly it
does from me- But in the following resuiu-
ton find these words:
'.Resoired, That the foregoing proposition
covers, and was intended to embrace, the
whole subject of slavery agitation in Con-
gress''
The first resolution which 1 read was
adopted years ago in Democratic conven-
tions. The second resolution which read
was adopted in subsequent years. when a
different state of things had arisen, and it
became necessary to apply an abstract pro-
position relating to the States & t. the Ter
rtories. Hence the adoption of the Ian
guage contained in the second resolution
which have read.
Now, sir, deny the position thus assumed
by the Cincinnati Convention. In the lam
guage Of the Senator from Kentucky. (Mr
CRIrrENDEs,) so ably and so appropriately
used on Tuesday last, hold that the entire
and unqualified sovereignty of the Terrific
ries is in Congress That is nv judgment;
but this resolution brings the Territories
precisely within the same limitations which
are applied to the States in The resolution
which first read. The two taken together
deny to Congress any power of legislation in
the Territories.
Follow on and let us see what remains
Adopted as part of the present platform.
and as necessary to new state of things,
and TO meet an emergency now existing, the
Convention says:
''The Amer lean Democracy recognise
and adopt the principles contained in the
organic laws establishing the Territories of
Kanzas and Ne5farka, as embodying the
only sound and safe solution of the slavery
question. upon which the great national idea
of the people of this whole country can re-
pose in its determined conversation of the
Union-non-interferenceb by Congress with
slavery in States and Territories"
Then follows the last resolution:
"RsS0iUed, That we recognise the right of
the people of al the Territories, including
kauzas and Nebraska, acting through the
fairy-expressed will ofthe majority of actual
residents, and whenever the number of their
inhabitants justifies it, to form a constitu-
ton, with or without domestic slavery, and
be admitted into the Union upon terms o.
perfect equality with the other States
Take all these resolutions together, and
the deduction which we must necessarily
draw from them is denial to Congress of
any power whatever 10 legislate upon the
subject OF slavery. The last resolution de-
nes TO the people of the Territory any pow
er over that subject save when they shall
have sufficient number to form a consttu-
ton and become a State, and also denies
that Congress has any power over the sub
ject; and SO The resolutions hold that this
power is at least in allegiance while the Ter
ritOry is in n Terrrforial rond;tinn That ;S