Squatter sovereign., 1857-01-13
Political Attitude of parties in Con


Political Attitude Of parties in Con-
gress.
The suhioined exposition of the position
Of parties il Congress is from the inteii-
gent Washington correspondent Of the
Charlston Mercury. and may be received,
we think, as q correct mirror Of the lines
that distinguish the difference between pol
iticions Of :hp day. as we'll as a reliable
index to the principles tina, will be recog.
missed by the incoming administration:
The Republican majority demand that
Squatter Sovereignty shall be admitted,
not as q final adjustment, mark you, but
as giving way at that point. There is
now no longer any doubt but what the
Democratic party, and majority of tho
Southern men, will give way and conpro-
mise the principle, by leaving it as judi
elal Question for the Supreme Court to de-
| eide. Now, the especial point Of interest
| to our people is, whether the Nor,hera ma
jority will accept the final Judgment of the
Supreme Court as binding. Ia answer,
have only to say, that during this entire
session have liscned carfuily to the de-
bates, accompanied by the cross-exainina-
ton carried on by all parties, and there is
no doubling that the result is simply this:
The Republicans claim the principle
known as ths Wilmot Proviso, to be tie
meaning of the Constitution. i. e. the DOM
lnant sentiment of the Northern people.
| The Northern Know n olhings hold to
the same opinion.
The Northern Democrats. with here and
there an exception, hold that the people,
while in Territorial condition. can ex-
cluds slave owners, with their property,
from the Territory; l. e. Squauer Sovs-
reignty.
A large majority OF the Southern De-
nocracy-alInost unanimously y-hold that
the people have no such power, but that
the Southern people can carry their proper
ty to any Territory, on perfect equality
With Northern citizens, and that when the
community Of peoples form State Con-
stituiion, then, and then alone, the ques-
ton of rejecting involuntrry servitude can
be settled
The Northern Democracy ask Of the
South to leave the question, as a judicial
one, to be decided by the Supreme Court.
/ This compromise, know personally,
from a thorough canvass Of private senti-
ment Ia Congress, will be accepted by the
Southern members few protesting.
The Republicans will absolutely refuse
TO accept the decision Of a CASE, as the
settlement Of the PRINcIPLE, and have in
variably answered that sueh will be their
position for the future.
| This, think, TO be fair and reliable
statement OF the exact condition of peIiti-
cal sentiment in the House and Senate
this session; and on this compromise, or
middle ground, upon the subject OF Squat
ter Sovereignty, Mr.. BUCHANAN will take
his stand as The settled policy Of his Ad-
lninistratien. The Republicans. placing
themselves In opposition. will adhere to
their watchword, mo more Slave States" "
and spush on the attack for 1860. MIR.
Buchanan mus, either join this Northern
party, or taking up his position upon the
fConstitution, supported by the Supreme
Court of The United States. fall back on
tie Southern States in defence of the pro-
perty and social rights of their citizens
under the Constitution. He must defend
the minority against the majority.
| Any attempt at cenciliation will be fa-
tai. ANY attempt TO induce the South 10
go an inch further backward. will lead TO
disorganization in the party in that direc-
iion. A middle party is impossible. sim-
ply because these are no elements out of
which to construct il. No particular meas
ure will effect it. No great scheine-Pa-
cific Railroads, Collins. Lino, or Otherwise
wilt effect it. The question of the day
is this: .sAre the Northern and Southern
communities two peoples!', This issue in
wolves all o,hers-over-rides all others-is
the Old Man OF the Sea Of American pol
itics. Other questions rest like .'painted
*h ps upon j printed ocean" The conflict
is The original one. of Federalism, sect ing
Its monarchial end, against American De-
mocracy The negro question IS the me-
dunn of action, and cannot be evaded.
There must be Southern party in self
defence. simply because we are fighting
for our homes. It must be resistance
party, because Ne a.e openly attacked.