Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-06-12
The June Platform of 1855 and the
February Platform of '56 Compared.


When the American party in June, 1855,
met in National Council and adopted plat
form, the Democratic press, South, immedi-
ately declared that it was unsOund upon the
slavery question. This was not unexpected to
u.s. 1t has been, and ever will be, a part of
the policy of the Southern Democracy, to re-
present its opponents as either abolitiOnists,
allies Of abolitionists, or at any rate, tender
footed in support Of the constitutional rights
of the South. Whilst the Abolitionists use
slavery to help their party North, the Demo
cracy South use it TO help themselves here.
The use thus made of this vital subject is dis
creditable to both, but what care they, if the
party interests are benefited thereby. What
if the country suffer, so they win. Bnt, rs
the Democracy, South, pronounced the June
platform, with its 18th section, unsound, 1t was
desirable to get them 10 say what would be
regarded by them as q standard of soundness
and nationality on the slavery question. This
standard was furnished by the Democratic
caucus in Washington at the commencement of
the present session of Congress. 1t is nothing
more nor less than the support of the principles
Of the Kansas Nebraska act. What are the
principles of that act There are two leading
principles, as interpreted by its Southern sup
pOrters-to wit:
LIST. The principle of non intervention, de-
rived from the compromise OF 1850, under the
operations of which new States are to be ad-
mitted into the Union with or without slavery
as they Che States) may deem best.
I'd. The right of a people of Territory In
forming a State Government, and not before,
to prohibit slavery as domestic institution.
These principles the American National
Council, in February last substituted for the
18th section Of the June platform-thus adopt
ing the standard of nationality prescribed by
the Democratic Party, but with more honesty,
all agreeing as to it's true construction, Whilst
the Democracy, South, and the Democracy,
North, construe it to mean things directly
opposite and rreconcilably antagonistic. And
now, what do our Democratic neighbOrs saw
That our platform is sound and national :
Oh, no. They have the brazen effrortery to
declare that it ignores the Slavery question and
as far beloU ecen the standard Of tie 18th SectOn
What shameless hypocrisy! What political
prostitution Without stopping to comment
upon this suggestive theme, let us compare the
18th section and that portion of the February
platform which touches the slavery question.
The 18th section declares
lst The National Council has deemed it the
best guaranty of common Justice and Of future
peace 10 abide by and maintain the existing
laws upon the subject of Slavery, as final and
conclusive settlement of that subject, in spirit
and in substance
The February platform pledges the party TO
".he maintenance and enforcement of all laws
constitutionally enacted This covers all the
existing laws upon the subject of slavery"
aud in the pledge 10 enforce" them is a step
further than the pledge to "sbide by and
maintain" them. An executive or a party
might "abide by and maintain" a law on the
statute book, aud still not ''enforce" it.
The 18th section declares
81. That Congress possesses no power IN.
der the Constitution, to legislate upon the
subject OF Slavery in the States where it does
or may exist.
This is a principle admitted 10 be correct
by the Abultionists themselves. IL is not q
mooted point. For that reason il was not
mentioned in the February platform. Ia its
pace we have better section, pledge in the
following language
"rhe unqualified recognition and mainte
nance of the reserved rights of the several
States, aud the cultivation of harmony and
iraterna good will, bet Teen the citizens of the
several States, aud Ia this end non -nterfer-
,nce by Congress with questions appertsining
solely 10 the individual States, and non.inter-
veution by each State with the affairs OF any
othes Stat e."
The l2th section declare
81. Congress possesses no power to exclude
any State from admission into the Union be-
cause its Constitution does or does not recog-
nze the institution of Slavery as a part OF its
social system.
The February platform recognizes the right
of the people TO regulate their domestic and
social air,irs, aud il follows that when they
have exercised this Constitutional right, and
adopted slavery or rejected II As a domestic
institution, Congress has no power TO excluds
them from admission into tie Union therefor
Furthermore, tais is question pertaining
solely TO the people ia their character as q
State, and they are protected also by the
pledge OF mon later ference by Congress" with
such questions.
The 18th section declares
4th and last That expressly pretermitting
any EXPRESSION Of opinion upon the power OF
Congress TO establish or prohibit Slavery In
any Territory, il is the sense Of the National
Council that Congress ought not 20 legislate
upon the subject of Slavery within the Terri.
tories OF the United States, and that any in-
reference by Congress with Slavery rs = exists
in the District OF Columbia would be q viola.
ton Of the spirit aud intention Of the compact
by which the State Of Maryland ceded the
District TO the United States, and breach Of
the national faith.
The February platform instead OF prefer
hitting any expression Of opinion upon" the
vital issue presented in the 4th declaration Of
the 18th Section, proclaifns the true Constitn-
tional doctrine upon il, By FeoogAisiRg tas aH.
hority Of fAs people eta Territory GEAR The SUD
feet. The power being recognized as Eeeted