The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-06-30
COMPROMISES

AePooISoh SofSrnmentS are 1ounQea
upon principles incapable of perversion,
without destruction to the institutions which
they support, (says the Richmond Enquir-
er.) And so are they incapable of compro-
mise without serious detriment This is
especially true in such a government as
this, where there are thirty-one sovereign
States, each within itself endowed with all
the elements of political independence, but
all acknowledging allegiance to a great
common cause, expressed in Constitution
which embraces principles for the interests
and prosperity of the whole. That Con-
stitution is itself an embodiment of those
plain, practical canons of liberty which
are unlimited and eternal a the aspirations
of men, and as Interchangeable in essence,
as the constituent elements of air or water.
They admit of no compromise, because
they are right or wrong, true or untrue.
either essential or inimical to the interests
of society. And it is disposition to COM
promise principles for the sake of tempo
rary triumph or momentary quiet, that has
rendered our national councils so famous
for scenes of discord, disputation and anti
podal positions on the part of men endowed
with the ablest intellects and protesting
conformity to the same principles of Iiber-
ty. The attitude of the South on the sub
ject of slavery has never been, in the most
aggravated aspect, in the slightest degree
an encrOachment upon the constitutional
II, fi,a md %bo I'd
Government. All we have ever asked is
that the institution of slavery shall be left
to the decision of the people with whom it
exists and among whom it is proposed to
be introduced. The South has always
contended that it was a domestic matter.
over which the General Government had
neither influence nor control, except so far
as to protect the States in the exercise of
their legitimate authority over it. And
yet, plain as is the principle involved, I'M
denable as is the rights of the people of all
parts and portions of this Union, North or
South, East or West, to adopt slavery or to
reject it, the question of its extension has
been subject of compromise almost ever
is an institution belonging exclusively to
the States within which it exists, the Cen
eral Government so far as it is entitled to
control it, should act as if ignorant of its
existence. 1t is recognized by the Consti-
tuition as 4 domestic matter; and is not in
cluded within the jurisdiction of those
powers delegated by the States for the
furthcrance of general rather than local
interests. And being beyond the pale of
Federal authority within the States, it is
equally so in the Territories. 1t is then a
solrcsm in politics and the cardinal prin-
ciples of social organization, that where |
there is no authority for Legislation, either
for or against, there is, nevertheless, a
right on the part of the powerleSs party to
compromise the question with the party pos
sessing exclusive control over it. This is
putting the question plainly, and truly, too,
as our past and present troubles. growing
out of the slavery question, attest.
The great republican principle of popu-
lar sovereignty is also seriously impunged
by the intervention of the Federal Govern
ment in affairs belonging solely to the
States and to the people. And as each
State in this confederacy is separate and
distinct from every other in its own inter-
nal political regulations, the people com
posing that State are to be free for the for
nation of their constitution and laws, SO
long as they do not conflict with the pro-
visions in the compact between them all.
1t is. therefore, undeniable that no line of
demarkati"n beyond which slavery shall
not go, can be traced by the General Gov
eminent without violating popular sover-
eighty and the rights of the States; and
that all compromises of principle in re-
publican country are sources of future
trouble, if not of eventual destruction to
the country.