The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-01-15
THE NATIONAL PARTY.


have boosted so much about the Nationality
Of their Party, would be exceedingly proud Of
the position in which they are placed by the
recent debate in Congress. In the estimation
Of the faithful Democrat, squatter sovereignty
10 the great doctrine Of all doctrines, the pam
acea for all the ills Of the slavery question:
He has come to regard IT with awe, as IL it
were Heaven descended, and whoever will not
fall dowg and worship it, he regards as the
most damnablc hereto. 1t will be well if
these ardent lovers of squatter soye, eighty
open their eyes 10 the fact that the object of
their affections is in perilous condition. 1t
seems to be quite unable to Withstand the rough
waves of the political sea, and unless soon at
tended to, and that, too, by skillful hands, it
will 60 down; il, indeed, it has not already
gone down to the very bottom Of the deep.
during the late debate on the Presidents
Message, the subject of squatter sovereignty
was much discussed by members Of all parties,
ard especially by members Of the two wings
Of the Buchanan party. While Northern
Democrats advocated the doctrine Of squatter
sovereignty, Southern Democrats condemned
It. 1t SO happened that at the very moment
when Gen. Cass was cherishing his favorite
bantling in the U. s. Senate, Mr.. Nc Mullen,
Q Southern Democrat, was condemning it in
the most emphatic terms in the House Of Rep
resentatives. This, however, is no new de-
velopment Of the relative sentiment Of the two
sections Of the party. We have for some time
had abundant evidence Of it-as much as was
needed; but the fact to which we allude, as
having lately taken place during debate at the
Capitol, serves IS an exceedingly clear and
striking illustration Of the fact.
Well, the fact does exist Northern Demo-
Gratis advocate squatter sovereignty and South
esn Democrats condemn it. And it must be
borne in mind that the direct antagonism be-
tween the two sections, is upon the very vital
question OF the parties Of the day. Subtract
squatter sovereignty from the Northern Dem
ocrat's platform and there will be nothing
left, while on the other hand deny to the
Southern Democrat his fsvorite Interpretation
OF the Nebraska Bill. and he will immediately
look fierce and begin to talk about disunion. =
The m raj Of all this is that all the talk about
the nationality Of the Democratic party ia
sheei nonsense. Instead Of being national
party 1t 10 the worst kind Of sectional party.
It 10 composed Of two sections directly and ir-
rec oncilably opposed to zach other. If the
Northern doctrine should prevail in Congress,
u the construction which Northern Demo-
Gratis put upon the Kansas Bill should be de-
elared to be the law, and practically applied TO
the new Territories, it would be triumph of
sectionalism, for il is doctrine which has no
advocates in the Southern States. We mean
sectionalism according to the Democratic def
milton of that term. On the other hand, II the
Southern construction could prevail 1t would
be sectionallsm for similar reason.
The question very naturally arises, how is this
matter to be adjusted? One or the other con-
struction must prevail and become the doctrine
OF the Democratic party, ar that party must
fall to pieces. The odds are against the North
srn portion Of the party, and entirely through
their own fault. For the sake Of temporary
triumph in the success Of their candidate for
the Presidency, they proclaimed The doctrine
that the Republican party was party Of dis
union because they advocated doctrines dis
tasteful to the great mass Of the SOUTH
Well. suppose the South tells the Northern
Democrats that they will dissolve the Union if
any attempt is made TO enforce the Northern
construction. Will the same rule which has
been applied to The Republicans work in that
casep We have not the least doubt that il the
South puts on airs and busters little, they
will I've no further difficulty in getting what
ever concessions they desire from the dough-
faces Of Congress.
In one respect we readily admit the Demo
cratic party IL national. WHISTLER North or
South, East or West, they are fond Of the Ma
donal patronage, they love national Offices,
and have the most ardent affection for the ma
tional treasury. "The cohesive power Of the
public spoils" 10 sufficient to draw together the
most discordant elements Of the party; and we
doubt not hat whatever may be the course Of
events during the next four years, il 1860 they
will be found to be just as national a. ever.
school Houses.
Tie subject Of common Schools il just now
attracting peculiar attention throughout the
State. It Is Of the utmost importance that it
should be 90. for the subject Of education is
perhaps the most interesting aud responsible Of
oil those with which free and sovereign peo-
pie kaye to deal. The safety of our republic
can institutions depends upon the proper in
struetioD Of the masses. In order that the
elective franchise may be safely exercised,
and maintained m its purity, there must be IN