True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-04

But since the election our brethren Of
the south insist thatit shall not have this
scope. They demand that this great
measure Of popular sovereignty" shall be
so construed as to prohibit the people of
territory from ercIudiag slavery, but,
with characteristic generosity, conceding
to them the indisputed exercise of that
sovereignty in admitting and establishing
it. That this is the true meaning of that
great act circumstances how compel me
10 admit, This admission seems neces.
sary to preserve our glorious Union.
The North will yield. 1t always has
yielded. The impulsive sons of the
South are more determined and more
dangerous. In this issue the result is
inevitable. The North has only to yield
principle, the South would be compelled
to sacrifice interest, which il would be
most unreasonable to expect. For the
sake then of peace | appeal to my friends
of the North to allow no ultra ideas of
abstract right to interfere with their al
ligiance TO The Democratic party. Right
and wrong are mere " speclous and gilt
tering generaGtics. Great principles bor-
row their true glory from success. With
out that sanction what is there in the ma
jority even of Democratic doctrines to
command the homage of thousands.
As sectional questions will arise in ref
erence to the slavery issue, the best
means of repelling the growing aggres-
slors oftheNortk already bordering on rev.
olulion,is matter of anxious sollcitude to
every true patriot. Whether this end
may be best attained by SO amending the
Constitution as to giveu Ducal Ex-
ecutive" as first suggested by the great
Calhoon,or by an enforced "equality IN
the Senate" as proposed by my learned
friend of the Richmond Enquirer, are
subjects for future consideration. In the
mean time be assured that no effort shall
be wanting on my part to give strength
and stability 10 that great domestic in
stitulion upon which are based the great
principles of republican freedom. My
personal observation in foreign courts en-
ables me to assure you that il is this sys-
tenn that gives us our high position among
other ntaions, and demonstrates to Euro
pean potenlaes that Democratic princi.
Piles have Conservative element,
and are not aimed against that wise and
wholesome domination of privileged class
ses over those whose condition seems
ameliorated, and whose happiness is aug
mented by degradation and servitude.
As to the policy of River and Har-
Dor" improvements. which has ever been
an apple of discord in our party, and the
Pacific railroad project, which seems
likely to be, [ shall like the immortal
Macawber, I" Wait for something to turn
up" Having given in my adherence to
the lStter measure in my California letter,
l now claim the right so to modify that
decision as shall best comport with the
interest and power of the Democratic
barty. BY this moderate course l hope
to avoid the reproach that must attach to
any party whose executive and Legislative
members are in antagonism, sometimes
rising even to the revolutionary" in.
subordination of crushing The constitu.
tional veto of President by the votes Of
his own party. In this conflicting ant
divided position the Democratic party
has too long stood. entreat you tc
spare me this one humiliation.
Having thus briefly indiealed the line
of policy 1 shall pursue during my sin
Gle term of office | cannot conclude with
out expressing my profound gratitude tc
tha. all bountful Providedce who ha:
crowned with such signal success the
"honest" efforts Of the Democratic par
ty in contending, with 10 motive but pat
riotism and duty against fanaticism an
archy, bigotry, ibertinism, in6delity, trea
son and Revolution, and in favor Of liber
ty, virtue, morality, The rights Of Chris
tian marriage, and the precepts ant
principles of our blessed religion, of al
which our party and its members have
eve been the faithful defenders and wor
thy exemplars.