The Placer herald., 1856-07-19

and bigotry which would create odous dis
tinctions among our fellow-citzens will be
speedily rebuked by free and enlightened
public opinion.
The agitation on the question of domes-
tic slavery has too long distracted and d.
vided the people of this Union and
alienated their affections from each other.
This agitation has assumed many forms since
its commencement, but it now seems to be
directed chiefly to the Territories: and iudg-
ing from its present character, | think we
may safely anticipate that it is rapidly ap-
proachinga a 'inality.' The recent Legislation
of Congress respecting domestic slavery, de-
rived, as it has been from the original and
pure fountain of legitimate political power,
the will Of the majority, promises ere long to
allay the dangerous excitement This legis-
laton is founded upon principles as ancient
as free government itself and in accordance
with them, has simply declared that the
people ofa Territory like those ola state, shall
decide for themselves whether slavery shall
or shall not exsist within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas act does do no more
than give the force Of law to this elementary
principle Of self-goverment. declaring it to be
"the true intent and meaning of this act not
to lcgislate slavery into any Territory or
State, nor to exclude it therefrom: but to
leave the people thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institutions
in their own way, subject only to the consti-
tutionof the U. s." This principle will surely
not be controverted by any individual of any
party protesting devotion to popular govern
ment. Besides, how vain and iIlusorv 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 State
no constitutional power would then exist
which could prevent it from either abolishing
or establishing slavery, as the case may be
according to its sovereign will and pleasure.
Most happy would it be for the country
if this long agitation were at an end. During
its whole progress it has produced no practical
good to any human being, whilst it has been
the source of great and dangerous evils. 1t
alienated and estranged one portion of the
Union from the other, and has even seriously y
threatened its very existence. To my own
personal knowledge, it has produced the i'm
preston among foreign nations that our great
and glorious confederacv is in constant dan
ger Of dissolution. This does us serious inju-
ry, because acknowledged power and stability
always command respect among nations and
are among the best securities against unjust
aggression and in favor of the maintenance Of
honorable peace. May we not hope that it is
the mission of the democratic party, now the
only surviving conservative party of the coun-
lTp 70 oil ol
ties, and restore peace, friendship and mutual
confidence which prevailed in tie good old
time, among the different members Of the
contederacy? It's character is strictly nation
al, and it therefore asserts no principle for
the guidance of the federal government which
is not adopted and sustained by its members
in each and every State. For this reason it is
every where 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 must continue to exist so
long as there is a constitution and a Union
to preserve. a conviction of these truths
has induced many Of the purest, the ablest
and most independent of our former oppo-
nents, who have differed from us in times gone
by upon old and extinct party issues, to come
into our ranks and devote themselves with us
in the cause of the constitution and the
Union. Under these circumstances | most
cheerfully pledge myself should the nomna-
ton Of the Convention be ratified BY the peo-
pie, that all the power and influence constitu-
tionally possessed by the Executive shall be
exerted in firm but conciliatory spirit during
the single term shall remain in the Office,
to restore the same harmony among the sis
ter States which prevailed before this apple of
discord, in the form of slavery agitation had
been cast into their midst. Let the members
of the family abstain from intermedtng with
the exclusive domestic concerns of each other;
and cordially unite on the basis of perfect
equality among themselves, in promoting the
great national objects of common interest to
all, and the good work will be instantly ac-
complished.
Iii regard to our foreign policy, to which
you have referred in your communication, it
is quite impossible for any human foreknow-
edge to prescribe positive rules in advance,
to regulate the conduct of future admistra-
ton in all the exigences which may arise in
our various and ever changing relations with
foreign powers. The fedora government must
of necessity exercise sound discretion in
dealing with international questions as they
may occur but this under the strict responsi
bility which the Executive must always feel
to the people of the United States and the
judgment of posterty. You will therefore
excuse me for not entering into particulars;
whilst heartily concur with you in the gen.
eral sentiment, that our foreign affairs ought
to he conducted with slch wisdom and
firmnes as to assure the prosperity of the peo-
pie at home, whilst the interests and honor
of our country are wisely but inhexibly main
tained abroad. Our foreign policy ought
ever to be based upon the principle Of doing
justice to the nation, and requiring justice
from them in return; and from this principle
| shall never depart.
Should be nIacnd in the Executive chair