Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-08-13
The True Issue Stated.

gans have found deal Of fault because we have,
in stating the true issue between the two great
parties in the coming Presidential canvass, rep
resented the Democratic party being in favor
Of the extension of slavery. Now we are to let
the Posts platform speak for ITSELF In its clam
orous demand for the f'equal rights of all the
States, and its denial of the right of Congress
to interfere with the holding of slaves in the ter
rtories, lies concealed the iniquitous doctrine of
the right of slavery to spread itself unchecked
into every mich and corner of the national do
main. In so many words, the Cincinnati plat
form lays down broadly the doctrine, that the
shareholders Of the South have the same right to
hold their human chattes in the territories that
an emigrant from the free States has TO carry
thithcr his horses, cattle, Or farming utensils,
and hold them as property.
That we are not doing injustice to the so.called
Democratic party in thus representing it, as by
its platform pledged to carry out the internal
doctrines of slave propagandism TO the most I'LL
ira extent, we quote from the Richmond Eva }
Enquirer, the leading Buchanan paper of the
South, and a reliable exponent of the national
doctrines of the party, which says with honesty
and frankness, that the national Democracy
whose candidate for the Presidency is James
Buchanan, 'sseks not merely to retain IL slavery
sOhere 1t as, but to extend IL into regions cAers 1t
is stnkno,cn !" and it demands of Northern Dem
ocrats that "they agree to its extension as mat
ter Of right"
If the Post does not wish to render itself
amenable to the charge of belonging to mere
sectional, subordinate wing of the party it,
too, must chime in with the national" current.
The New York Day Book, the only administra-
ton, or Buchanan paper in New York city, in
advancing the same doctrines as its brother of
the Enquirer, has given its contemporary of the
Post many severe raps for its fallings short, which
our Naval Agent contemporary at Boston as yet
hesitates to heed
For the benefit of the readers of the Post, which
neglects to spread before its readers sound " ma.
- n ---.;- ar~t-ir,a endorsed by the
acts Of the present Administration, and preached
by those Buchanier journals of the country which
would have the most influence in shaping the
policy of the party, should old Buck (which
Heaven forbidD be elected, we publish entire the
following article from the Richmond Enquirer
Read it, attentiyely, all ye Democrats who feel
any inclination to give your support in the pres
ent canvass, to the Enqairers candidate. Mr. Bu-
chanan after such faithful portrayal of his prin-
eiples, and of the platform in which he has be-
come submerged =
"The Democrats of the South, in the pres
ent canvass, cannot rely on the old grounds of
defence and excuse for slavery; for they seek
not merely to retain it s0ere IL is but to ertend
IL into regions aohere IL is u,akao,cu. Much Tess
can they rely on theme constitutional quGyan
tees Of staUery, for such reliance is pregnant
with the admission that slavery is wrong, and
but for the Constitution should be abolished.
This constitutional argument for slavery,
standing alone, fully justifes the abolition
lists. They are clearly right, if slavery be
morally wrong, for to get rid of it. under the
Constitution, or by amending the Constitu-
ton, is confessedly impracticable.
In truth, the Constitution cannot help slave
ry, if it be violation of the laws of God and
of morality. In that case, the Constitution
should be changed, or the free States should
recede, rather than continue to guaranty what
they consider immoral and profane. The Con-
stitution cannot help slavery for another rea.
son. That institution, extending through if
teen States, inter .raml6ed with the interests,
the feelings, and the very existence of many
millions Of men, is much stronger than the
Constitution. 1t would be far easier TO change
or violate the Constitution, than to abolish
slavery. Besides, slavery is older than the
Constitution, existed before it, and independ.
ent of it. We derive no right to eur slaves
from it, and weaken our cause by seeming to
rely it.
Nor will it avail us aught to show that the
negro is most happy and best situated in the
condition of slavery. If we stop there. we
weaken our cause by the very argument in
tended TO advance it; for we propose to intro
duce into new territory human beings whom
we assert to be unfit for liberty, self. govern
ment, and eq ual association with other men,
We must go step farther. We must show
that African slavery is a moral, religious.
natural, and probably. in the general, a neces-
sary institution Of society. This is the only
line of argument that will enable southern
Democrats to maintain the doctrines of State
equality and slavery extension.
For If slavery be not legitimate, useful
moral, and expedient institution. we cannot,
without reprOof of conscience and the bl hsh of
shame, seek to extend it, or assert our equali-
~ with those States having no such institu-
ton.
Northern Democrats need not 20 thus far.
They do not seek to extend slavery, but only
agree to its extension, as matter of right on
our part. They may prefer their own social
system tU ours. Il is best that they should.
our friends are conservatives at home, and
Of the Union conservative Of
religion, Of marriage. Of property, of State
institutions, and Of federal institutions. But
whilst they may prefer their own social sys-
tern, they will have to admit in this canvass
that ours Is also rightful and legitimate, and
sanctioned alike by the opinions and usagss Of
and by the authority and express
niunctions OF Scripture They cannot COM
.isteutly MAINTAIN that slavery is immoral in.
sxpcdient and profane, and yet continue to
submit to its extension.
We know that we utter bold truths. But
he time has now arrived when their utter
nee can be no longer postponed. The true
ssue ahould stand out 80 boldly and clearly
hat none may mistake H.
To show that this doctrine has been accepted
true Irrational Democratic doctrine, by the
,ading supporters Of james Buchanan, at the
forth. We have only 70 quote from speeches Of
enalor Bigler, J. Clancy Jones, and others Of
IA Bucks immediate constituency and represen.
,tivts, AZ expressed in their seats in Congress-
bus, Mr. .. Clancy Jones OF Pennsylvania, the
IMMEDIATE friend and champion Of Mr.. Buehan.
} n the House, and one Of tho ablegt and mog'
alesmanlikc Of his Northern supporters, de