Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-09-12
Mr.. Breckinridxe on the srump.

IL is not purpose in this article to dispute the
taste which has dictated to Mr.. Breckinrdge-a can
didate for the second Office in the gf. Of tho people
the proprictv Of trampng over the Union and ma
king speeches to the people in behalf OF his own
election. We know there is a show Of precedent 70,
the course he is pursuing but whether that makes
wrong thing right We leave to the Judgment O
our readers to determine. Our own opinion is thai
for candidate Cor the Presidency Vice-Presiden
cy to be undertaking electionecrng tour, and da
ly haranguing the people, and imploring them for
their votes, COMFORTS in no either with pro
per selfrespect with the dignity and elevation Of
the Office for which he is aspirant 1t is thought
by large number of people of all parties in this
country that even in common Gubernatorial can
vass the candidates should take no active part in the
contest, but should remain quietly at home, calmly
and in dignity awaiting the verdict of the people
And il such course be proper in this case, it is
surely much more proper in regard to candidates for
the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of a great and
mighty Republic
But we leave Mr.. Breckenridge to consult his own
sense of propriety and pursue his inclinations
so far as this matter is concerned. Ourp purpose now
is to allude briefly to portion of his speech
ut the Tippecanoe Battle Ground Convention, which
we find published in the Philadelphia Pennsylra.
propitiate Northern support, he flew right in the
teeth of the cardinal doctrine Of the Democratic par
ty at the South. To sustain the conviction thus
forced upon us we beg leave to call attention to the
following extract:
'This no time to deceive lie would express his
convictions that fifteen States believe that the Republican
party making persistent efforts create vindic
tive feeling IN the minds of the people of the other por
ton OF the Unon against the South. To this
natural prejudice il had been charged that the
sign of the South to be aggressive upon the Northto
the federal powers of the government propagate
slavery This To whatever extent he
might be authorized speak for the Southern States he
pronounced IL untrue. He connected cM no poliG
cal organization ,chh desiyed ertend slavery nor
he connected with that opposed the tree expression
the voice Of communities upon this and all other
nestle questions. The Democratic party had endorsed
the principle OF leaving the people OF the Territories
for themselves whether they should have slavery
not lie was in Congress when the KansasN ebtaska
bill became law and If it had prescribed the North he
would not have voted for it, Had prescribed the South
he would no. have sanctioned il.
"The Democratic party, In endorsing the principle OF
the KansasNebrsska bill, had from its very nature to
take that position 1t not prosavery nor an ami.
slavery psrty, but 4 constitutional party"
Now, what we specially desire to invite the atten-
ton OF the Southern Democracy to is the declaration
made by Mr. Breckenridge that she connected
Nth political organ izdtion which desired to er
tend sLdoery." Ii occurs to us according to this
avowal, that Mr.. Breckenridge is certainly in the
wrongs pew; for if the daily asseverations of the
Southern Democratic orators and presses have any
meaning at all, then the cardinal principle, the most
cherished desire with them is "to extend slavery"
No one can open an issue Of the Richmond Ea9ui-
or the Richmond Examiner without finding this
statement fully and completely confirmed. They
make it indeed special boast that they and their
party are the peculiar champions of the doctrine of
-
most that alone they urge upon the Southern people
the election of Mr.. Buchanan. They even 20 SO far
to assure that in the event of his elevation to
the Presidency, he will all his personal influence
and all the powers Of government to extend the pe
culiar institution" by the prompt purchase forc-
bic seizure of the Island Of Cuba. What becomes
then, Of Mr.. Breckinrdges declaration that " he is
connected with no political organization which de-
sires TO extend slavery" And what Of his other
declaration that it is the design Of the Southern
Democracy "to the federal powers Of the govern
ment to propagate slayery?" Which is the true in.
terpreter of the principles and purposes of the De-
mocratc party at the South Mr. Breckenridge or the
Richmond Enquirer backed and sustained not only
by its party in Virginia, but throughout the South
ern States' There is certainly WIDE aud marked
difference between them this subject difference
the extension Of slavery nor does he believe himself
in communion and fellowship with any party that
does The Enquirer and the Southern Democracy
in body do desire such extension, and even make
bold to assert and nsinuate that the Democracy Of
the South are the only people earth who really
do. We again ask-which is the true prophet, the
Richmond Enquirer or its candidate for the Vice
Presidency
IL Mr.. Breckinridge's revelations Of the wishc .
and purposes of the Southern Democratic party are
correct, why all this hubbub. and confusion, and
wrungling and strife about Kansas and the Terrific
riesI If the South, as Mr. Breckenridge alleges.
does not desire ito extend slavery" why, in the name
Of common sense, should we not at once frankly saw
80 10 the North and agree to let that section Of the
Onion quietly appropriate and colonize all the Ter.
ritories, without let or hindranceY What would the
South lose by IL Who would be hurt by il ONE
way or the othcry We canddly confess that if we
felt rs Mr.. Breckenridge feels aud did not desire the
extension Of slavery, VIC should make no fuss over
the territories but would tell the North to take them
and have ,hem. and enjoy them TO their hearts CON
tent and then surely dscord would cease and peace
and brothery love reign between the two sections
forever For is certain that the question concern
ing the territories is the ouly bone Of contention he
tween vs.. Why then should We act the part of Chi.
dren and Diunies and jabber and quarrel and Rgbt
about that which we declare do not want. and
which we have for2 II we do not wish 'to
extend slavery" to the territories then all the s,ri
and ill-fecling that prevails in the land has been
brought about only for party ends, aud not in con.
sequence Of any rational or just devotion to the sub
stantial interests Of the South This, we take IL i.
clear and indisputable proposition. For one. be
beVing aud feeling as Mr.. Breckenridge does. ",
should not attach the slightest importance 10 tb,
Missouri compromise act. TO the wimot proyiso
nor 10 any other device 10 Gust US out Of an eou.
participation in the common domain For. no
wishing 10 go to any part Of it with our slaves, mo-
desiring that others should go-in a word, caring no
rs about the territories, one way or the other
Why should we initiate the dog in the manger, an,
ehidishy refuse 10 concede to the use Of our North
srn neighbors what we have no earthly use for our
selVesi Is there any reason, any policy, any pro
prety, any advantage whatever in such course ?