Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-08-26
Kansas and the Democracy.

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Kansas and the Democracy.
Kansas Affairs continue to be the prominent
topic of newspaper discussion throughout the
country. AS remarked by us last week, we
have not heretofore joined in the hue-and-cry
against Walker, but endesvored, as far as posi-
ble to give him and the President credit for hon.
est and patriotic intentions. While we could
not approve of the Governors course in all res
poets, we attributed his conduct TO an over-anx-
ious desire to adjust the existing difficulties IN
Kansas and restore peace and harmony to the
country The upright motives of public OH
Ger, in our opinion. should always go far to pal
late any errors he may commit. Governor
Walker, we presumed, saw what many Southern
men believed from the first, that Kansas could
never become slave State, and candidy said
so for the purpose of pacifying the freesoilers
in the Territory, without designing, as we char
itably supposed, to throw his official influence
into the scale aginst the South. He urged the
submission of the Constitution to the vote OF the
"whole people," instead Of the registered voters,
and although this course was irregular and sa-
voured very strongly ofsquatter sovereignty,we,
at least, felt no insuperable objections to it, not
wishing slavery to be struggled into Kansas u
gainst the wishes of majority of the bona .tfde
settlers. At any rate, the Democratic party, we
thought, had no just grounds of complaint, as
the Kansas Nebraska bill, the Cincinnati plat
form and Mr.. Buehanan's letter of acceptance oil
recognized and endorsed the doctrine ofsQuatter
sovereignty. 1t seemed to US little unreasona-
BILE for any man who adhered to the Platform
and supported Mr.. Buchanan, to censure an Of
fetal for merely carrying out the avowed princi-
pies of the party.
But, Notwithstanding our favorable DISPOSE
ton towards the Governor, the evidence or de-
liberate treachery on his part towards the South
is too cumulative to permit US longer to excuse
his couduct According to Democratic testimo'
ny, which. so far as we know. is perfectly relia-
BILE, Governor Walker has not been influenced
by patriotic motyes-a desire TO promote the
welfare of the whole country, and, for the pur-
pose of quieting an angry strife, simply hurrying
on an inevitable result; but his sole object has
been to promote the future success of the Demo
cratic party! During the late Presidential can
vass, the party at the North dwindled down to
very small dimensions, and something must be
done to bring back the stragglers to their ale
glance. Should Kansas como into the Union as
slave State, under Democratic Administra-
ton, the disaffected in the free States viii ,be
confirmed in their adherence to Black Repnbli
canism, and 10 coneiliate these people and in
duce them to enter the fold again, the interests
of the South in Kansas must be sacrificed. A
Kansas correspondent of the Richmond South,
to whose letter we alluded last week, says: "The
adoption of slavery constitution, and the ad-
mission of Kansas as slave State. he Walkerl
says, will jeopardize the success of the Demo-
cratic party in 1850 The South must, there
fore, relinquish all hope of Kansas in order to
prevent the election of Black Republican Pres
ident." There is the whole story. Kansas is
not permitted to become q slave or free State &C
cording as the result may oe in the natural course
of things, but the event must be torced-the
South must abandon oil claim to fair play anu
equal rights-in order that the Democracy may
maintain their supremacy and continue to gath
err the spoils of office. What commentary mp
on the pretensions of the Democratic party to
be the peculiar defenders of Southern rights!-
How great was The delusion of those Southern
men who abandoned Fillmore for the support Of
Buchanan, under the impression that his cleo
ton was necessary for our safety: Wherein
has the election of Buchanan profted the South
and why might not Fremont as well be in the
Presidential chaira Aud yet Southern Demo-
Gratis adhere to and defend the Administration
Only few months ago they were cooked and
primed to dissolve the Union in the event OF
Fremont's election now, Buchanan is doingjust
what Fremont would have done, and it is al
right. In the one case, however, the Democra'
CIV would not have enjoyed the spoils-now they
have them. That n.akes the difference.
We are no disunionists-we have no idea of
following the Charleston Mercury and New Or
leans Delta in their wild crusade-but We de
sire to expose the fathless, unreliable character
of the boastful Democracy.