The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-08-15
From the Columbus (Ga.) Times and Sentinel.
POSITION OF THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY.

other party in the Union true to the constitution,
so devoted to the South, little solicitous OF
personal advancement, as the southern democracy.
From first to last this noble party has stood by the
flag of its principles, as resolutely in the day Of ad-
vcrsty and overthrow rs In the proucst day Of sue
cess and triumph. And this many Of the leading
spirits of the opposition have endorsed during Its
whole career, by breaking loose from the prejudices
friendships and associations of lifetime and join
ing Its ranks And in support of these positions
confidently appeal to its glorious record. Al
The secret of their unexamped success is found
in the fact that they have great cardinal political
principles aud stand by them at every hazard.
They again come before the people with their prin-
cples and candidates, and confidently anticipate an
other triumph.
Their position at present is peculiar, but IL is
noble and brave one
The slavery question has disturbed the peace of
the country for 40 years The federal government
without the shadow of constitutional authority. has
time and again, assumed urisdic tion over It, to the
imminent peril of the Union. In 1854 the national
democracy were called on to settle this disturbing
element in American politics This could not be
done without undoing the so called compromise of
1920 BY the legislation Of that year Congress pass
ed an act excluding southern property from all the
territories of the United States lying north Of 800
30. while all territory south Of that line was left
open alike to northern and southern emigration and
settlement This odious discrimination against the
South aud her institutions formally repealed by
the passage of the Nebraska-kansas act and the
whole of the territory of the United States opened
to all citizcns North and South But this great act
wont furtlor and denied IN Con any right to
cgisate upon the subject of slavery in the Terrific
rie and in express terms referred the whole subject
to the people of the Territories organized by that
act.
This act was endorsed by the national democracy
in convention ut Cincinnati, and Incorporated into
the platform of the party. There was il Is true,
some diversity of sentiment in the party rs to whetl
or the territorial legislature could legislatc upon
the subject of slavery but all agreed that when
convention met TO frame constitution preparatory
TO admission into the Union State, that body
had sovereign and plenary power over the subject
and, whatever might he the provisions OF their con
stituton the subject Of slavery, the Congress Of
the United States were bound to admit the new
State into the Union upon an equality with the old
thirteen States.
Now. II Is clearly mistake that The democracy
were pledged 10 make Kansas slave State. That
was question for the people Of the Territory alone
to determine. True, the southern democracy hoped
that Kansas would he slave State, and, in seasor
and out Of season, urged the raising of men and
money for Kansas. This the only mode in
which the southern democracy could efectnally act
in the premises, and in this respect they have done
their whole duty. II IL certain that both the lcgs-
latures which have met in Kansas have been with
the South. II is equally certain that majority of
j the delegates to the convention which assemblies In
September next to frame constitution for Kansas
are pro-slavGry. The South certainly occupies the
vanageground in Kansas, and it is admitted by all
hands that success has been achieved by lawful
means ana in strict conformity to the orgnnic act
and the constitution and laws of the United States.
But If, on the contrary the convention, legally elect.
ed, were opposed to slavery. the southern democra-
cy would chcerfuy submit to its action and vote
for the admission of the new State into the Union,
albeit the North already has preponderance in the
Union.
Unfortunately for the country. Gov Walker has
seen fit to overturn the work of years; to NEEDLE
with questions over which neither he nor the federal
government had any jurisdiction; and, in contra
vcntion Of the principles of the Nebraska Kansas act
ana OF the CINCINNATI PLATFORM to take into his hands
the appropriate work of the convention shortly to
assemble to frame constitution. There may be
doubt whether Kansas is adapted to slave labor; but
that was question for the convention to determine.
There may be doubt to whether the constiti-
ton adopted should be referred to the people of
Kansas for ratification but that too was question
for the convention to determine. There may he
some doubt rs to who the people of Kansas-thc
registered voters the actual residents OF the Ter
ritory at the time Of the submission of the constitu
ton; but that. too, was question for the conven-
ton to determine. The southern democracy are
prepared to submit to and sustain the action OF the
convention on all these questions, whether it be IA
yorable or unavorabe to the South. Every people
assembled in convention are sovereign, and no pow
err on earth has the right to dictate to them what
they shall or shall not do aud the only Limitation
upon their power is that they must adopt republi-
can form Of government to obtain admission into
the Union.
And this is the issue between the southern democ-
racy and Governor Walker. We hold that the CON
vcntion may, if it fit, make Kansas slave State
free State; that it may if it see Gt, submit the
Ham ft