Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-10-14
Breekiaridge's Position Endorsed BY the Enquirer


We confess to some surprise that the position Of
Breckinriige in relation to the extension of
slavery should have met with the full and emphatic
endorsement of the Richmond Enquirer. After
long weeks of studied silence on the subject the En-
qHirer at last opens its mouth, and declares that
"the Democratic party is not pledged to extend
slasery 6syond its present Hmns" We suppose this
admission has been made at this late hour, not only
to bolster up Mr.. Breckenridge, but to curry favor
for both Buchanan and Breckenridge with the North
err people. 1t is made, presume at this particu-
lar time for effect upon the Northern elections; and
il chimes in admirably with the battle-cry of the
Pennsylvania Democracy-"Frse Ransasr
The Enquirer lnmberngly endeavors to pervert
the real meaning of Mr. Breckinridge's heretca de-
claration; but all in vain. That declaration was
that the Democratic party lrassno de.ire to extend
slavery which tile Eaquirer-is pleased to regard as
only tantamount to saying that the Democratic par
ty is opposed to all federal legislation on the sub
ject whether that legislation looked the extension
or the restriction of slavery" We think all candid
men will agree that this is total misconception of
the purport and intent of the allegation of Mr.
Breckenridge He meant to be understood as aeg-
ing precisely what he did allege viz that the De-
mocratic party has desire, no wish. no purpose,
free territory. 1t is strange indeed that so simple,
explicit, Straightforward declaration should be so
widely misconstrued But the necessities Of the
Democracy in the present canvass are numerous and
pressing; and consequently, their shifts and expe.
dientS are varied and desperate
If the Raquirer's definition of the position and
purposes of It's party in relation to the extension OF
slavery, be correct we ask as we have oft-tmes aud
bafn vrh iS tha
Democratic clamor about slavery and Southern
rights? Why do they threaten dissolution of the
Union! What is the reason of it! Has not the
whole sectional controversy between the North and
the South grown out of protracted conflict between
slavery extensionists the one hand and slavery
restrictionsts the other? And if the South has
no desire to extend slavery, as the Enquirer nor
IN Iintains, why should she perpeually Stultiy and
make herself ridiculous bv fomenting agitation ON
question about which she not a groItg In ,
word, why does she not for the sake of the genera
peace and for the sake Of her special interests
promptly and frankly say to the North that havinl
no desire TO extend slavery, she is willing to surrcn
der the Territories into the exclusive and pernanen,
possession Of the North and thereby put an end I.
oil 1uarrelling and dispute about them n, for ex
ample, we have no wish to take our slave propert,
to Kansas desire that Kansas should ever beeom,
slave State, earthly purpose "to extend SLAYER,
beyond its present limits, why the bitter the fruit
less the disgraceul struggle which has been 50 Ion,
going on between Northern MEN and Southern mer
on the plains Of Kansas "a struggle the whole Oh
Ject of which, on the part Of Northern men. is tc
make Kansas a Free State, and the whole object nj
which, on the part Of Southern men, is to make
Kansas Slave State. That is, it is the same ole
strhsse bstSe,n slavery .extens onists and slavery
restretonists which has 50 long prevailed betwee,
the two sections Of the country aud which has 9,
often disturbed the peace and put in ieopardv tb.
very existence Of the Union. Surely ii is sheer e,
", It Is In the last degree criminal II the South ba
no desire to extend slavery to be keeping alive an,
perpetunting these disastrous and dangerous section
al ieuds Ia relation tn question about which W.
feel not the slightest practical concern Rather L.
US act the part Of sensible men and patriotic cit
zens by ceasng to contend for that which we sav ,g
do not want. Let Us, in a spirit Of rnarnanimit,
and in spirit Of sincere zeal for the peace the har
mony, the happiness Of the country, give il up Z
those who do want it--and let us make no tnor
senseless fuss about H. We ask just here is II n,
marvellous that the Ea9uirer should have so STR,
nuously urged the formation Of Engrant Aid Soci,
SOS at the South, far ne aeored parpose Of iaaLia
RdTsts a sidre STATE, when Il conesses. in almo,
the same breath, that il has no desire 10 exten
slavcryg
But we pass on, and ask again why the Emu
rers ferociOus threats Of dissolution in the even
Of the election Of Fremont Does he or his mart
propose 20 restore the Missouri Compromised RI
peal the Kansas Nebraska billy lie himself dis.
vows any such purpose and Mr.. Speaker BanI
and number o. bis associate leaders disavow an
such purpose on the part Of the Fremont party.
What thens DO they propose to interfere vii
slavery IN the Ststess We have seen no eviden
that they do. On the contrary, we have their ow
oi1rePeatei declarations that they do not But In,
do not desire 10 extend slsvery-that is their DO.
ton Bot IN what respect do they differ from Il
ts7Htsr add IL party on this sublectS Neither
them, according % their own declarations. desire
sx'eed -'avery. Where, then is the difference b
tsosn themi We leave the people 10 judRes