The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-21

tee of the Whole on private Claims NO quorum answer
ing to the call of the roll, the House adjourned.
THE TWO CONVENTIONS ISSUES MADE UP. |
The iu proceedings of the Philadelphia black republic
can convention open for sach comments as their
extraordinary character are SO well calculated TO provoke
1t cam in no proper sense be regarded national con-
rention but in the sctes of that term it was sec
Oaal and geographical The few erotics from Maryland
Virginia and Kentucky who appeared there as delegates
have no constituencies home and have effect in re-
eying the convention from the character OF strictly
sectional assemblage Nineteen States including all the
free States and three four slave States 1.-THE latter only
nominaly represened had delegates present Nearly one
half of the States of the Union without representa-
tves and yet this convention is not only claimed to be
national but be animated by sentiments of devotion to
the constitution and the Union.
The contrast between the Philadelphia and Cincin-
natl conventions is too obvious require comment The
one composed almost exclusively ofdelegaes from that
portion of the Union where the institution of slavery does
not exsthe other composed of delegates from epery
STATE and from epeyy district Of epyy State Of The entire Union
In the character of their organization and representation
therefore, the exclusively SECTIONAL whilst the other
was thoroughly national.
This difference in the character of the delegations of the
two conventions is not more striking than that which
marks the contrast between the principles of the two Or
carnations In fact the sectional character of the one and
the national character of the other the necessary re-
suits of the difference in their respective principles The
man who encrtans the opinions Of the black republican
in regard to the constitutional relations of government
to slavery cannot be otherwise than seconalist and
hence convention composed such delegates necessarily
sectional In like manner, the who stands upon the
form in To
sarIy national man. and hence assemblage of such,
coming from every State in the Union necessarily const
tue a national convention
The issues made up by the action of these two
venons exhibit the difference in their principles in the
clearest possible light The most prominent of them
thus explicitly stated in their respective platforms:
The Democratic Platform.
l. Reoeed That claiming fellowship with, and desiring
the cooperation of all who regard the preservation of the
Union under the constitution the ISSUE and
pudang all sectional parties and platforms concerning do
nestle slavery which seek embro the States and nce
treason armed law in the Territories and
whoae avowed purpose, if consummaed must end in civil
and dsunion the American democracy recognise and
adopt the principles contained in the organic laws establish
ing the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska mbodyng the
only sound and solution of the savery question:
which the great national idea of the people of this whole
country in its determined conservatism of the
Union-Non IsTERFERENcE CoxanEss WITH SLAVERY
TERRITORIES DISTRICT COLUMBIA.
That this the basis of the Compromise of 1850,
rmed by both the democratic and whg parties in national
convention ratified by the people "a the election Of 1852
and rightly applied the organization OF Territories in
1854.
That by uniform application this democratic prn-
% to the organization Of Territories and to the admission
of new States with without domestic slavery, they
may elect, the equal rights Of all the States viii be pre-
served intact the original compacts of the constitution
maintained nyioate and the perpetuy and expansion
the Union insured to its utmost capacity Of embracing in
peace and harmony, every future American State that
be constituted annexed with republican form Of
government.
ResolCed That recognise right of the people of
all the Territories including Kansas and Nebraska, acting
through the legally and fairly expressed will of majority of
actual residents and, whenever the number Of their nhab
ants ustiGes it, to form constitution with without do
nestle slavery, and be admitted into the Union upon terms
Of perfect equality with the other States.
The Black Republican Platform.
2 Resoped, That with republican fathers, We hold II
TO be selcevdent truth that all endowed with the
naenabe right e liberty, and the pursuit Of happi
and that the primary object and Interior design of
federal government those rights persons
within its exclusive jurdiotion that republican
fathers, when they bad abolished slavery in all national
territory ordained that person should be deprived Of life
liberty, property without due process Of law IL becomes
duty TO maintain this provision Of the constitution against
all attempts TO violate 1t for the purpose Of establishing
slavery in the United States by positive legislation prohibit
ing its existence extension herein that deny the au
tbory Of Congress- Of territorial legislature OF any nd
vdua association Of individuals TO give legal assistance
to slavery in any Territory Of the United States while the
present constitution shall be maintained.
D. Resorsd That the constitution confers upon Congress
sovereign the Territories Of the United States
their government and that in the power Il Is
both the right and the duty Of Congress prohibit in the
Territories those twin relics barbarsm and
slavery.
g. Resolued, That Kansas should be Immediately admitted
State Of the Union with her present free constitution
the most eeetua way OF securing to her citizens
the enjoyment Of the rights and privileges which they
entitled, and Of ending the civil strife raging in her
itory.
The two distinctive points Of anagonism Between these
platforms may be thus briefly stated
The democrats maintain that the constitution has con-
rd upon Congress power to legslate slavery into
Territory TO exclude IL tberefrom but they leave
The people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their way, subject only to the
constitution Of the United States
The black republicans maintain that the constitution
coHrs Congress sopegn pop the Territories for
their government and that II is both the right and the du-
~ Of Congress to prohibit slavery therein.
will be observed that both parties claim TO stand upon
the constitution the democrats contending for admiration
OF the powers Of Congress and the black republicans
The exercise Of sovereign power" by Congress We doubt
whether the old federal doctrine Of consolidation and
"a'ization openly ayowed than II is now
zone in claiming for Congress sovereign power the
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