The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-02-05

thrown into the field OF discussion, in way
which could not avoid elicting remark from
the Press, and compcls the assumption Of
some position by it, the several Editors nj
/ st. Louis have avowed themselves freely
/ And we make few extracts from some OF
them to show their position and the tenor OF
4 discussion. The Leader would tolerate the
entertainment of Emancipation sentiment,
as a private, abstract sentiment, even in the
ranks Of the genuine, unadulterated Black
Democracy, but not as an open, debateable,
practical question, in Black Democrat, or
anybody else 1t says:
"We have said before that mere private
opinion in favor of emancipation, or against
slavery, on purely commercial grounds, we
are willing to tolerate; under the extreme
pressure Of false opinions, an error OF this
| kind is excusable, we think, even gin a slave
state, and in fact, it is entertained by many
strong pro. slavery men but that is as far rs
we can possibly go. We consider that in
every society there IRE some subjects which
are not open questions. Such is the Repub-
lican form of government in America; such
is slavery Mt the South"
But a few days later, the Leader thinks
that the issue is substantially made, cannot
be avoided, and says;
"We repeat it, the issue has been made,
and the people of Missouri must decide upon
| it. Let US meet them (the Emancipationists)
at once, on their own chosen battle ground,
in our own city, and with a mighty arm, let
US crush them out forever"
In pursuance Of the idea, it says farther:
''lf we can eject the Emancipationsts
from Office and deprive them Of their i'm
mense patronage, of the power OF filling
| FIVE hundred Offices, and Of enrichng num-
berlcss pensioners on the treasures under
their control, their influence will be destroy
ed, their power forever broken, and Freesoii-
ism crushed out Of Missouri for years to
come Mt least"
But the Voiksblaii, which il the German
organ of the regular old-line Buchanan
ID Democracy, the same body that the Leader
assumes to be the fugleman for,-will not
assent to the position OF its confederate. 1t
thinks the discussion wisely begun, in the
proper place, and that If prudently conduct
ed it will achieve the "splendid result of
gradual emancipation. We copy from it as
follows:
''We do not sec why the question Of me-
gro emancipation may not be discussed in
the Legislature. That, If any, is the pr oper
place for its discussion. Can there be NO
progress in reference to this institution
The constitutional provision with reference
TO banks has been modified, because it was
found change had become necessary in con-
sequence of the increase Of our population,
and the extension OF the commerce of
growing state, and because it was believed
that the amendment proposed WAS better
than the old constitutional provision. Why
may not the same be true Of other provisions
/ in the Constitution OF that relating to
the institution OF slavery, for instancei If
/ II cannot be positively affirmed and proved
4 that the institution is decidedly better for
the negroes and their owners, and for the en-
tire state, than gradual, proper and lawful
/ emancipation, an assertion just as difficult
to prove ms the exact contrary,) why may
not the question OF negro emancipation be
! discussed? We, for our part, are not only
1 not opposed to such discussion, but we
would be rejoiced if the Legislature would
enter earnestly upon the discussion OF the
mode of emancipation, for we have no doubt
that the negroes may be gradually cmanci
pated without injury to their owners"
The Aueeiger, B9rnstein's paper, which
is the German organ of the Benton Democra-
cy, says that the Emancipation question
cannot be too fully discussed" and that
"the Emancipation party is already stronger
in st Louis than ever the Benton party was.'
II continues
s'The emancipation question, thanks to
the efforts OF the Leader, seems about to be-
come the topic Of discussion in Missouri
The Leader will have it SO, and most OF the
papers here expressed their views about it
yesterday in consequence. The
North and South will both learn with as
constituent that here, in Missouri, a state
particularly distinguished, during few
/ years past, for its aHorts in behalf Of the
extension OF slavery, n movement in favor
OF the abolition OF slavery has been sud
denly made, in such wise ms to plslnly fright
en- It's opponents, and that it has already, in
IT'S very beginning, gained many unexpected
friends and supporters. Ii the Leader will
read the Volksblatt il will learn that we were
right when We said that the emancipation
I
the ranks Of the National Democracy. The
position assumed by the Democrat, shows
plainly that the Benton Democracy have not,
IN consequence OF their late defeat, deter
mined to beat retreat, but that they are
i resolved to rene. the contest on more de-
cided platform. if not, indeed, on the Eman-
cpation platform itself. Ii is certain that
ST. Louis, and probably few other counties,
are rife for this agitation, and that anv
movement on the part Of the borderers in
Western Missouri to interfere again in the
Affairs Of Kansas, will certainly be the sig
nal for the agitation OF the question of
Emancipation in Missouri"
The hatelhyeneer, which il the leading
American organ in the State, and one Of the
most ably conduesed journals Of any party in
Missouri, has taken no part in the discussion
yet. But it is generally ous-spoken, and
doubtless soon will do so. The Republican,
which disputes with the Leader the grand
organshp of the party, takes radical posi-
ton by the side Of it. An item will indi
dicate its tenor and determination. From
M article on the subject in its colums we ex .
tract the following:
"Bnt this discussion will not be without