Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1856-07-03

will Of the majority, promises ere long to
allay the dangerous excitement. The le-
gislation is founded upon principles. is
ancient as free government itself. and in
accordance with them. has simply declar'
ed that the people of Territory. like
those of State, shall decide for them
selves. whether Slavery shall or shall not
exist within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas Act does no more
than give the force Of law to this elemen
tary principle Of self government; declar-
ing it TO be 1.-THE true intent and meaning
Of this act not to legislate slavery in any
Territory or State, nor TO exclude ii there
from; but to leave the people Their per-
fectly free to form and regulate their do
mestic institutions in their own way,
subject only to the Constitution Of the
United States" This principle will sure
ly not be controverted by any individual
of any party protesting devotion to popu
lar Government. Besides. how vain and
il!usory would any other principle prove
in practice in regard to the Territories
This is apparent from the fact. admitted
by all. that after Territory shall have
entered the Union and become a State,
no Constitutional power would then exist
which could prevent it from either abol-
ishing or esta blishiug slavery, as the case
may be, according to its sovereign will
and pleasure.
Most happy would ii be for The country
if this long agitation were at an end
During its whole progress i: has produced
no practical good to any human being,
whilst it has been The source of great and
dangerous evils. 1t has alenated and
ens,ranged one portion of the Union from
the other. and has even seriously threat
ened its very existence. To my own per
sonal knowledge, it has produced the i'm
preston among foreign nations tina; oar
great and glorious confederacy is in con-
slant danger Of dissolution. This does
us serious injury. because acknow ledged
power and stability always command re-
spect among nations, and are among the
best securities against unjust aggression
and in favor OF the maintenance Of hon
orable peace.
May we not hope that ii is the mission
OF the Democratic party, now the only
surviving conservative party of the coun
try, ere long 10 overthrow oil sectional
parties and restore the peace. friendship
and mutual confidence which prevailed
in the good old time. among the different
members Of the confederacy. Its charac-
ter is strictly national, and it therefore
iDlo fnr ho If
the Federal Government which is not
adopted and sustained by its members in
each and every State. For this reason il
is everywhere the same determined foe
OF all geographical parties. SO much and
so justly dreaded by the Father Of his
Country. From its very nature it mus
continue to exist so long as there is d
Constitution and Union TO preserve.-
A conviction of these truths has induced
many Of the purest, the nbles', and most
Independent! of our former opponents, who
/ have differed from us in times gone by
upon old and extinct party issues. 10 come
into our ranks and devote themselves
with us 10 the cause OF the Constitution
and the Union. Under these circums:an
ces. | most cheerfuily pledge myself
should the nomination OF the Convention
be ratified by the PEOPLE. that all The
power and inf fence. constitulionally
possessed by the Executive. shall be ex
erted, in firm but conciliatory spirit,
during the single term | shall remain in
Office, &c restore ihs same harmony among
/ the sister States which prevailed before
this apple Of discord. in the form OF
! slavery agitation. had been cas-; into their
midst. Let the members OF ths family
abstain from in.erneddling with the ex
elusive domestic concerns OF each other
and cordially unite, on the basis or per
feet equality among themselves. in pro
noting the great national objects o! com.
mon interest TO all. end tho good work
will be necessarily accomplished.
In regard TO our foreign policy, 10 which
you have referred in your communication.
it is quite impossible for any humsn
foreknowledgo to prescribe positive rules
| in advance. 10 regulate the conduct of n
future Administra ton in all the exigen.
cies which may arise in our various and
ever changing relations with foreign pow
ers. The Federal Government must OF
necessity exercise n sound discretion in
dealing with international questions as
they may occur; but this under the strict
responsibility which the Executive must
always feel 10 the people of the United
States and the Judgment of prosperity
] You will therefore excuse me for not en-
tering into particulars; whilst heartily
concur with you in the general senti
ment. tina; our foreign affairs ought 10 be
conducted with such wisdom ard firmness
as to assure tho prosperity of the people
at home, whilst the interest md honor o,
our country are wisely and infexibly
maintained abroad. Our foreign policy
ought ever 10 be based upon the principle
Of doing justice to all nations. and requr.
ing justice from them in return; and from
this principle shall never depart.
Should / be placed in the Executive
chair. / shall use my best exertions tc
cultivate peace and friendship with al
nations. believing this to be our highest
policy as we'll as our imperative duty,
but at the same time. should never for
get that iE-case The necessity should arise
which do not now apprehend our ma
tional rights and national honor must be
preserved at all hazards and a. any Sacri