Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-05-02
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


The Real Question The persistence with
which the Republicans misrepresent and mis-.
state the real issue in relation to slavery,
which is presented by the Kansas bill and the
recent annual messages Of President Pierce,
amazes US beyond anything We have wit.
messed in the history of political affairs If a
stranger to our politics were to read and be
lieve the New York DAILY Tribune and DAILY
times, or any other Abolition print, he would
suppose the issue between the Democrats and
Republicans to be, whether the Territories of
the United States shall be controlled by the
influences Of slave or free labor; whereas, in
truth, no question Of that nature has been or
ever can be legitimatsly in issue in federal
affairs Such question can only arise in the
politics of State or Territory, and can be
determined only by its inhabitants in proper
way and at proper time. 1t is, indeed, the
question now pending in Kansas, but not the
great question of constitutional relation raised
By President Pierce and Senator Douglas.
For the first time in almost half a century.
has the rubbish and underwood, which timid
men had gathered around the slavery cues.
ton for their own protection, been cleared
away, and solution Of it presented to the
people, which rests upon the solid basis of the
constitution, and upon nothing else.
The real question to be decided by the ap-
preaching Presidential election is, Has Con.
gre5s potceT, under the Constitution, to de-.
tsrnstne tchether free or slave labor shall pre-.
ratI IA the local institutions of inehoats
StGtes. In relation to Kansas, in relation 10
all the new Territories Of the Union, that is
the precise issue
The question either of political economy or
OF moral duly, in respect to the comparative
advantage Of slave labor over non slave labor
institutions, or rice rersa, has nothing to do
with the issue. Those may be legitim ate
matters Of discussion in the Territories-in
In Kansas, for instance-but not in Congress.
There may be other subsidiary questions
growing out of it which will attract consider.
alton and discussion, but 90 the constitutional
relations Of slavery" as presented by Presi.
dent Pierce IN his recent message to Congress,
viii De the text book Of principles to which
al these new points will be by Democrats ap-
Piled, as to touchstone, for decision.
If the Democratic party shall, in June, Put
In nomination for the Presidency, a man who
stands before the country distinctly identified,
BY word and act, with the removal of the
Missouri restriction and the non-interyention.
non discrimination policy in reference to sla.
very, We have no doubt of their success in
November. The next election, if carried by
democrats at all, must and will be upon the
strength Of their cause. No advantage will
be given them by q name, except so far as
that name gives additional assurance that the
party lie identified with, and committed "a.
the principles raised by the Kansas bill.
The present is an unusual epoch. The DO.
htieai currents are not stagnant and in a Do
sl'ion 70 &c set In motion by individual men;
out they are driving, in obedience to certain
principles, with terrible energy, and no ipdi.
Fiouai can control them The Democratic
masses at the North, who have borne the aeony
Of the strife for the Nebraska and Kapsa. hin
and who have defended Pierce and Dousla,
with maddsned devotion and desperation, will
brook no evasion or compromise of great prin
ciPles. The true men, the sound men, are do
handing straight out, stand up fight. They
are rejoicing that the next contest shall set.i.
'o"efh'"g tn respect to SLAVERY.
Ii the Democratic Convention at Cincinnati
SNAIL oy nomination Of some man not iden.
uhea with or committed to the great Kansa,
struggle and triumph, attempt to run afte,
and conciiiate FreesOilism, or catch the aoat
ing vote by psndering to those who. F.d.,,,
lists at heart, have recently become Dsmocr.,,
only in name, or to those whose patr;ot;.,n !,
measured by securing some man in the P,.s
Dental chair who will advocate an increa,. q
duties on specific articles, who viii not inter
pose the Executive veto to appropriations 70
q large internal improvement, by the Fedora
Government, for the payment Of the Frenc
SPoiiation claims, for giving the public land
ana public treasure for elemosynary purposes
IL VIII commit grave, a fatal error.
For the Democratic cause in the next can
vass there can DO no individual adv.ntag.
except Identification with the great measur.
now before the people. The Nebraska ous,
tion is stronger than any man in the party.
Is stronger than Pierce, stronger than Doug
is,-stropger than Buchanan. II in stron,s