Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-02-14
From the Vermont Patriot
The Democratic Position on tho Sla-
very Question.

FROM thc vermont Patriot
The Democratic Position on tho Sla-
very Question.
The abstract question of slavery has been
the subject of earnest and elaborate discus
sion in the different sections of the confede-
racy for maay years, but we are unable 10
discover any evidence of an advance towards
an agreement betwixt the disputants Those
who are opposed to slavery because they re-
gard 1t as an immoral institution have not
boon convinced by the reasoning of those
who maintain that il violates no moral obli-
CATION or Christian duty. On theoiher hand,
the advocates OF slavery as 4 legal and moral
institution have found nothing in the argu-
ments OF It's opponents to weaken their orig-
nal opinions. As TO whether the institution
is moTal or imnloral, or whetherit IA a-socisl
or political blessing or evil, the question Is as
Tar from settlement as il WAS when the DIS
cussion commenced. Perhaps il would be
moro strictly accurate 10 say that the only
effect of the discussion has been TO strengthen
the original convictions of the contestng par
ties. The northern man who was educated
to regard slavery great moral and social
wrong adheres to the opinion with which
he has grown up, and which is almost an in
stinct of his nature. The southern man has
been familiar with the institution from his
childhood, and has been taught from his
earliest recollection TO regard it as entirely
consistent with morality and the teachings of
the Bible, still cherishes the same sentiments.
We think it may be safely assumed that an
agreement Of opinion on the subject between
northern and southern men il an impossible.
ity +; aud in looking ct the dangers involved
In the question, and in seeking for the means
OF avoiding those dangers, il is Iustifable 10
act upon the assumption that all hope Of
ever etfecting such agreement Is impossible.
III we are right In assuming that the North
and the South can never harmonize on the
abstraetsubject Of slavery, it follows that there
can be no such things as national parties ex-
eept upon the basis of an entire exclusion of
the subject from their political creeds. No
mathematical proposition is more true than
that the only basis Of party organization is an
agreement amongst those who enter into it
upon the subjects which they recognize as
belonging TO its creed. They may differ as
widely as is possible as to allsubiects not en-
braced by their party creed, but to be har-
monious inside of their organization they
must have common sentiments, and stand to-
gether on a common platform. These truths
will command ready assent,I and they dem-
onstrate the proposition that no party cmbra-
cling members at the North and the South
can be national or harmonious in its organi-
zation which does not exclude the question
of slavery from its creed. IL northern men
insist upon migrating upon their party creed
the doctrine that slavery Is moral or polit-
ical evil, they raise an insuperable barrier
against harmonious association with south
In l-ax
insist on making il part of their creed that
slavery Is morally and politically right, they
thereby cut off northern men from political
association with them. The necessary result
is, that without federation Of differences Of
opinion as to the abstract question of slavery,
parties are necessarily sectional, and cannot
possibly DO national.
The same Disagreement between the two
sections as to slavery which exists now has
existed from tho beginning Of the govern
ment and, at that time, constituted one OF
the chief obstacles to the formation Of a con-
stitutisaal Union. IL resulted in compro-
mise which was intended to be permanent
rule for avoiding future disSensions between
the different sections Of the confederacy.-
The Democratic party bases its claim to ma
tionalty upon the fact that, whilst il recog
the compromises. Of the constitution, il de-
nies to the federal governpsEt any right to
interfere with the question Of slax xsFy beyond
the instance so specified in the constitutional
compromises. The action ef the Democrats
in the adoption of the measures Of 1850 was
based upon the principle that Congress could
mot rghtfully intervene as TO slavery, except
In the matters expressly enumerated In the
al, lion, of
Kansas and Nebraska was based upon the
Iniaeiplc OF congressional nOn-intcrvenhon;
and it is upon this principle alone that any
party can he national. or that the federal
Union can be perpetGatsd, As II may not
be smiss at this time 10 reeuE ~ the authentic
position of the democratic party oQ tlte sub
ject OF slavery, We rercodEce so much OF tas
Democratic platform as embraees that posi-
ton We quote from the last Baltimofi res
olutions:
40. That Congress has no power, under
the Constitution, 10 inserferc with or control
the domestic institutions of the several
States, and that such States are the cole and
proper judges of everything. appertaining tc
their own affairs not prohibited by the con
stitution; that all effo, Is OF the Abolitionist:
or Others made to inducs Congress 30 inter
fere with questions Of slavery, or 10 take in
cipient steps in relation thereto, are calclEs
ted TO lead TO the most alarming and danger
GUS consequences; and that all snch efforts
have an inevitable tendency 10 dimnisIl the
happiness of the people, aud endanger the
stability and Permanency of the Union, and
ought not 10 be eountenanced by any friend
of our political institutions.
" ioed, That the foregoing proposition
covers, aud was intended 10 embrace. the Who'll,
subject Of slavery agitation in Congress: anc
therefore the Democratic party Of the Union
standing on this natiosal platform, will abid,
hy and adhere 10 a faithful execution of ia.
acts known the compromise measures. set
lied by the last Congress, the act for reclaim
ing fugitvcs from service at labor included
which act being designed 10 cary out an ex
press provision of the Constitution, canno
with fidelity thereto be repealed changed
as TO destroy or impair it's efficiency.
Resolued. That the Democratic party vii
resist all attempts at renewing. in Congress O
out Of it, the agitation Of the slavery question
under whatever shape or color the attempt ms.
he made"