Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-09-11
THE TRUE ISSUE

teer WHAT tne hicnmonQ va enquirer
the leading Buchanan paper in the South,
saws, in an article entitled.
THE TRUK ISSUE.
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 where it is,
but to extend it in regions where it is un-
known. Much less can they rely on the
mere constitutional guarantees of slavery,
for such reliance is pree with the ad-
mission that sllvery is wrong, ard but for
the constitution should be abolished. This
constitutional argument FOR slavery standing
alone, fully justifes the abolitionists. They
are clearly right il slavery be morally wrong.
for to get rid of It under the constitution, Or
by amending the constitution, is confessedly
impracticahle.
Nor will it avail US anght to show that the
negro is most happy and best situated in
the condition of slavery. five step there,
We weaken our cause by the very argument
intended to advance it; for we propose to
introduce into new territory human beings
whom we essert TO be unfit for liberty, self
government, and equal association with
ether men. We must 60 a step farther
sWe must show that African slavery is, a
moral. religious, natural, and probably, in
the general, necessary institution of soci-
civ. This is the only line of trsument
that viii enable southern democrats to
maintain the doctrines of state equality and
slavery extension. a-.s-s --s....
For if Slavery be not legitimate, useful.
moral, and expedient institution, we cannot
without reproof Of conscience and the blush
of shame, seek TO extend it, or assert our
equality With those States having no such
institution. f't e.
Northern Democrats need not 60 thus far.
They do not seek to extend Slavery, bu,
only agree to its extension, as = matter oi
right on our part. They may present
their own social system to- ours It is
best that they should. Oar frie sds are con-
servst: res at home, and conservatives of the
Union-couservativ or religion, Of marri-
age, of property, of state institutions, and oi
federal institutions. But while they may
prefer their own social system they will
have to admit in this canvass that ours is
also rightful and legitimate. .-and sanctioned
alike by the opinions and usages OF. man
Kind, and by the authority and express in-
functions OF Scripture. They cannot co.,
sisten;ly maintain that.slavery is immoral.
inexpedient and proIane, and yet continue
to submit TO its extension.
We know that We utter bold truths. But
the time has now arrived when their utter
ance can be no longer postponed. The true
issue should stand out SO boldly and clearly
that none may mistake it," g. =. - !.
Buchanan, having failed to obtain Cuba
for his offer o. cne hundred and twenty mil
lions of dollars, on the 10Th of October,
1854, put his name to the celebrated "Os-
tend Manifesto" from which We make the
following extract: -
"AFTER WE SHALL HAVE OFFERED SPAIN
A PRICE FOR CUBA FAR BEYOND ITS PRES
EHT VALUE. AND THIS SHALL HAVE BEEN
REFUSED. IT WILL THEN Be TIME To CON-
sIDER THE QUESTION, DOES CUBA IN THE
POSSESSION OF SPAIN SERIOUSLY ENDAEGEg
OUR INTERNAL PEACE. AND THE EXISTENCE
OF OUR CHERISHED UEIoE! SHOULD THIS
QUESTION BE ANSWERED Is THE kFFIRNA-
TIVE THEN BY EVERY LAW HUMAN AND d.
VINE WE SHALL BE JUSTIFIED IS Wrestling
1T FROM SPAIN. IF WE P,'ssEss THE POWER. q
Against this mon<trpus doctrine. at war
with every principle of Right and Justice.
We inierpose the following resolBtieRof-our
platform: -ty. (
"ResoEred, That the higawayman's plea
that might makes right.' embodied in the
Ostend Circular, was in every respect un-
worthy o. American diPlomacy. and would
bring shame and dshnnor upon any govern
ment or people taat gave j: their sanction. i"
Ba-:lansn haq been on all sides Of every
political question and faithful TO Freedom
never lie is the candidate of az exs'es:ve
sec:.. 80 party. running upon er exclusive
seetions, es"c, aad LIS election world ys 3
tr,un7t G. he Slave Pow
(cosTiEUED Oh SECOND FACED