The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-07
THE TRUE ISSUE.

The Democrats of the South in the present
canvass cannot rely on the old grounds of de-
fence and excuse for Slavery; for they seek not
merely TO retain ii ,chere ii is, but to ertend Il
into regions auhere ii is unkno,cn. Much less
can they retyOn the mere constitutional guarda
tees Of SiGce1y, 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, stand
ing alone, fully justi6es the Abolitionists They
are clearly right, if Slavery be morally wrong,
for to get rid of it under the Constitution, or by
amending the Constitution, is confessedly I'M
practicable.
In truth the Constitution cannot help Slavery,
if ii be a violation of the laws of God and of
90 ousugsG; "a thft1 The Ah Zee States Should secede,
rather than continue to guaranty what they con-
slider immoral and profane. The Constitution
cannot help Slavery, for another reason. That
Institution, extending through fifteen States,
andinterramiied 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 Constitu-
ton, than to abolish Slavery. Besides, Slavery
is older than the Constitution, existed before it,
and independently of it. We derive no right to
our slaves from it, and weaken our cause by
seeming to rely on 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 intend
ed to advance it for are propose to introduce
into neW territory, human beings ,chom we as
sert to be UNIT for liberty, selfgorernment, and
equal association ruth other men. We must 90
a step further. We must show that African
Slavery is a moral. religious, natural, and prob
ably, In the general, a necessary institution of
society. This is the only line Of argument that
will enable Southern Democrats to maintain the
doctrines of State equality and Slavery extern
sion.
For II Slavery be not legitimate, useful,
moral, and erpedient institution, ere cannot
Tithom reproof Of conscience and the blush Of
shame, seek to ertcnd II, or assert our equaliy
acith those States haring no such institution.
Northern Democrats need not go thus far
They do not seek TO ertend Slarcry, bat only
agree 10 It's extension, as matter Of right on our
part. They may prefer their own social system
to ours. ltis best that they should. Our friends
are conservatives at home, and conservatives of
the Union-conservative of religion, of mar.
rage, of property, of State institutions, and of
Federal institutions. But whilst they may pre-
fer their own social system, they will have to
admit in this canvass that ours is also riqhtful
and legitimate, and sanctioned alike by the
opinions and usages of mankind, and Jy the du
H1ority and express inyunctions Of Scripture.
They cannot consistently maintain that Slavery
is immoral, inexpedient, and profane, and yet
continue to submit to its extension
We know that we utter bold truths But the
time has now arrived when their uttersnce can
be no longer postponed. The true issue should
stand ont so boldly and clearly that none may
mistake Il.
The above article, from the acknowledged or
r. n
jewel of candor. 1t is the Democratic platform
in nutshell. Everybody knows that so long
as the sham Democracy hold power, the Virginia
influence will have the ascendency, and give
tone to the. Administration. Mr.. Buchanan,
who has svowed in his letter of acceptance that
he has lost his individuality, and become the
mere creature of the Cincinnati Convention, will,
in the event of his election, be guided entirely
by his Virginia friends, the Wises, Masons, and
Hunters. Mr.. Wise claims that he was the
choice of Virginia, that Virginia had a right to
choose the candidate, and at the same time
predicted that the election of Mr.. Buchanan
would enhance the value of negroes some odd
hundreds per cent. on present high rates. He
expects that likely negro fellows" under the
regime of the sage of Wheatland, will bring from
threeto FIVE thousand dollars in the New Orleans
markell
Ancient poets tabled the existence of a divin-
ity to preside over and protect the various arts
and occupations of life which were held in great
est esteem, as well as of some whose Offices
could not be regarded as very honorable. But
we believe that they committed the oversight of
leaving no niche in the Pantheon for the God
ofSlave breeding. This omission is now supplied
by Mr. Wise, who has discovered in the person
OF Mr. buchanan, no mythical demigod, invent
ed by heather poets, but veritable Preserver
sad Pstr0s of the Art, so dear to the Virginia
"Demoersey."