Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-23

FRIDAY. MAY %, 1856.
The Results of
Democratic LegIsIation.

The Results of Democratic Legislation.
In the Richmond Examiner, of May
10th, there is an able and conclusive argu
ment establishing the Kansas act to be
without the faint of squatter sovereignty
We have seen nothing more complete and
convincing on the subject. The whole
Democratic press throughout the South
agree with their RichmoGd brother, and
many of them grow indignant at contra
ray construction of that act, and denounct
squatter sovereignty in nnmeasured terms
Notwithstanding the positiveness of these
gentlemen, there are, however, two opin
ions upon the question. We agree an tot
with them, that constitutionally there can
not be, and, in fact, there is nothing in thu
act countenancing such a construction o
its provisions. Which opinion was held BY
majority Of the lawmakers who erected
it into statute, we cannot tell. While i
was upon its passage, many disclaimed thu
view of it so Objectionable to Southern
men; while many others, and distinguished
ones, proclaimed that such was their view
1t is fact Of history that those who made
it law held, and still hold, variant views
as to its operation.
1t is something of an anomaly in legis
lation, that bill which occasioned SO mucl
discussion, and produced so great an ex
element, should, after all the light sheC
upon it, be so involved in obscurity as to it
meaning, that it has failed entirely to NEE
the object of its projectors, and left who'll.
unsettled the great question it was design
ed to settle. Indeed, when regarded as {
means of determining the question of prin
ciple contained in it, the Kansas-Nebrask;
legislation is a signal and magnificent fail
ure. Intended to settle a vexed sectiona
question, it has utterly failed INTENDED
as a measure of peace and promoter o
quiet, it has produced directly contrar.
effects. What can history say Of it, bu
that it was n very sorry effort Of statesman
ship? and what can be said of the part.
which claims its paternity, and processes
as its entire creed of faith?
This party is the Democratic party
and this is the issue upon which they COM
before the country, asking its confidence
as wise, conservative and efficient guar
dian of its interests. A single act of lie
gislation, utterly devoid of principle, com
manding the sanction of the two section
of the country it designed to reconcile
which has convulsed the nation from it
centre to its EXTREMIST limit; which ha
well-nigh produced civil war in one Of tn,
territories; which has elected a sectona
majority to the popular branch of the ma
tional legislature; and placed in the thirt
position of responsibility in the Union al
avowed and most obnoxious sectionaliSt, i
the sum and substance of the recommends
tions which Democracy can bring for anoth
er four years control of the government
Can any honest, rejecting citizen regarC
the country's present condition, the result
Of Democratic policy, as reason why h
should longer trust its interests to mana
gers so reckless, improvident and faithleSs
Does not turmoil and disturbance rule tn,
hour, where but lately swayed the mile
and benignant Sceptre of peace and order
Is not the contrast now and four years age
striking and dangerous? Does any MAJ
believe that if WILLARD FILLMORE had beer
continued in the Executive chair, Southern
rights and Southern property would no
have been more secure than now? tina
pickering and strife, and lack of confidenc,
between the sections of the confederac,
would have attained its present alarming
height? that Northern and Southern cti
Zens would be marching in bands with arm
in hand, to a common ground, to drench i
with each others bloodY No! Such thing
would not have been. That they do exist
and oOuld have been prevented, should b.
food for reflection for those who value thei
country's peace above their party's success
Massachusetts, may vote for Mr.. Fillmore
but if she does it will be with q good under
standing on the niger question: Union an,
american.
Suppose she should vote for the Cincin
natl nominee, how about the 'ngger ques
ton" then? We presume you would con
piIar ~ II rirbt