The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-05

found in every respect an able. dignifed
honest and capable Executive Officer. His
bitterest enemy has not dared to find
fault with him, as Governor of North Car
DINA Why, then, should he be turned out
and an untried man put in his place? Let
Know-Nothingism answer.
| ------~~~>< ~>~~~>---
''Mr. Fillmore has no concealment about
him, and that is the reason why the people
love him so dearly."-[ Fayetteville argus.
Can the Argus inform US what are the
opinions of Mr.. Fillmore, in regard to the
Kansas ebraska bill! Is he in favor of
that bill, and for maintaining the principles
contained therein? Or is he in favor OF
the repeal of that bill, and restoration of
the Missouri restriction! And is he, or is
he not, in favor of Congress exercising pow
ers over the slavery question in the terrific
ries? And does he not acknowledge the
| power of Congress to refuse the admission
of territories as States, on the ground that
slavery has been adopted thereinl None
of these questions can be answered by the
Argus-yet Mr.. Fillmore has no conceal
ment about him But the Argus doubtless
| thinks, with Kenneth Rayner, that the
| slavery question is subordinate" to that of
know nOthingism, and therefore feels no
concern about Mr.. Fillmore's opinions in
reference to the questions we have pro-
pounded? There are but two main issues
in the present political contest-the slavery
more has subscribed to the know nothing
Platform, which acknowledges a Supreme
Being" and expresses Opposition to the
reckless and unwise policy of the present
Administration as shown in opening Sec
tional agitation by the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise" but, in all the election
eering speeches he has recently made, and
letters he has written, he has not conde-
scended to inform the people swho have the
right to know the opinions of candidates on
important Guest;ons) what are his views on
the Kansas ebIaska bill, and the primer
pies connected Herewith. Yet, he has no
concealment! o no, not he! What sig
nifcant fact: A Southern party supporting
a candidate for the Presidency, without
knowing his sentiments on one of the main
questions of the day-aye, vital ques-
ton, to the South at this time of abolition
insolence, encroachment, and power.
The following is the "IaceLfh Section"
which was repudiated by the Know N othing
National Convention, at Philadelphia. in
February last-an act which caused many
Southerners to repudiate the Known othing
party. AS Mr.. Fillmore has mo conceal
ment,' will the Argus inform US whether or
not his candidate, Mr.. Fillmore, also repu-
dates this sectionl That he does repudiate |
it, WIN. NJ. BURwELL and thousands of
others believe, and have deserted Mr.. F. in
consequence thereof; but the Argus, we
predict, will not be able to answer the ques-
ton. Mr.. Fillmore dare not place himself
upon such platform, while he is looking
to the North to elevate him to the Presider-
tial chair.
THE TWELFTH SECTION.
XII. The American party, having arisen
upon the ruins and in spite of the oppOsi- |
ton to the Wing and Democratic parties,
cannot be held in any manner responsible
for the obnoxious acts or violated pledges
of either. And the systematic agitation of
the slavery question by those parties hav-
ing elevated sectional hostility into a posi-
tive element of political power, and brought
our institutions into peril, it has therefore
become the imperative duty of the Ameri-
can party to interpose, for the purpose of
giving peace to the country and perpetuity
to the Union. And as experience has shown
it impossible to reconcile opinions so ex-
treme as those which separate the disput-
ants, and as there can be no dishonor in
submitting to the laws, the National Coun-
Gil has deemed it the best guarantee of
common justice and future peace to abide
by and maintain the existing laws upon the
subject of slavery, as final and conclu-
sive settlement of that subject, in spirit and
in substance.
And regarding it the highest duty to avow
their opinions upon subject important
in distinct and unequivocai terms, it is
hereby declared, as the sense of this Ma
tional Council, that Congress possesses no
power under the constitution to legislate
upon the subject of slavery in the States
of the Union; nor to prohibit q State
from admission into the Union because its
constitution does or does not recognise the
institution of slavery as a part of its social
system; and especially pretermitting any
expression of opinion upon the power of
Congress to establish or prohibit slavery in
any Territory, it is tho sense of the Nation
al Council that Congress ought not to legis-
late upon the subject of slavery within the
Territory of the United States; and that
any interference by Congress with slavery
as it exists in the District of Columbia would
be a violation of the spirit and intention of
the compact by which the State of Mary
land ceded the District to the United States,
and breach of national faith.
DISGRACEFUL
Know-nothing papers continue to publish
a forrorv DrofoSs;op 70 ho a HircnIar L.