The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-29
From the Columbus (Georell) Times aud Sentinel
OSTrION OF THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY.

POSITION OF THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY
There never was, and we fear never will be- another
party the Union the constitution so devoted
the South little solictous of personal advance
ment the southern democracy. From first to last this
noble purity has stood by the flag of its principles as reso-
lutey in the day of adversely and overthrow in the
proudest day and triumph And this many Of
the leading spirits Of the opposition have endorsed during
its whole career by breaking loose from the prejudces
friendships and associations Of lifetime and Joining It's
ranks And in support of these positions confidently
appeal to its glorious record
The secret Of their unexamped success is found in the
fact that they have great cardinal political principles and
stand by them at every hazard
They again come before the people with their prin-
epes and candidate and confidently anticipate another
triumph.
Their position at present is peculiar, but it is a noble
and brave
The slavery question has disturbed the peace of the
country for 40 years The federal government without
the shallow OF constitutional authority has, time and
again assumed jurisdiction it, to the imminent peril
Of the Union. In 1854 the national democracy were
called to settle this disturbing element in American
politics This could be done without undong the
called compromise of 1920 By the legislation Of that
year Congress passed act excluding southern property
from all the territories of the United States lying north
of 800 30 while all territory south of that line left
open alike to northern and southern emigration and set
Element This odous discrimination against the South
and her institutions formally repealed by the passage
of the Nebraska act and the whole of the terri
tory OF the United States opened to all citizens, North
and South But this great act further and denied
to Congress any right legsate upon the subject of
slavery in the Territories and in express terms referred
the whole subject to the people of the Territories organ
lied by that act.
This act was endorsed by the national democracy in
convention Cincinnati and incorporated into the plat
form of the party There was, il is true diversity
of sentiment in the party to whether the territorial
Legislature could legsate 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 penary power
the subject and whatever might be the provisions their
constitution the subject of slavery the Congress
the United States bound to admit the State into
the Union upon equality with the old thirteen States
Now it is clearly mistake that the democracy were
pledged to make Kansas slave State That qucs-
ton for the people of the Territory alone determine
True, the southern democracy hoped that Kansas would
be slave State and in and of season. urged
the raising of and money for Kansas This was the
only mode in which the southern democracy could effect.
ualy act in the promises and in this respect they have
done their whole duty 1t certain that both the legis
latures which have met in Kansas have been with the
South is equally certain that majority of the dele
gates to the convention which assemblies in September
next to frame constitution for Kansas pro slavery
The South certainly occupies the vantage ground in Kan
sa and it is admitted all hands that our success has
been achieved by lawful and in strict conformity
to the organic act and the constitution and laws of the
United States But it, the contrary, the convention
legally elected opposed to slavery the southern
democracy would chccrully submit to its action and vote
for the admission Of the State 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 which neither he the federal govern
ment had any jurisdiction and in contravention of the
principles of the Nebraska &c. and of the Cincn
matt PLATFORM to take into his hands the appropriate work
Of the convention shortly to assemble frame const
tuition There may be doubt whether Kansas Is adapt
ed to slave labor but that was question for the CON
vention to determine There may he some doubt as to
whether the constitution adopted should be referred to
the people of Kansas for ratification but that too was
question for the convention to determine There may
be some doubt as to who the people of 1.-The
registered voters the actual residents Of the Territory at
the time of the submission of the constitution but that
too question for the convention to determine The
southern democracy prepared submit and sustain
the action of the convention all these questions
whether it be favorable unavorahle to the South.
Every people assembled in convention are sovereign and
no power earth has the right dictate to them what
they shall or shall not do, and the only limitation upon
their powcris that they must adopt republican form of
government to obtain admission into the Union
And this is the issue between the southern democracy
and Governor Walker. We hold that the convention
may, if il fit, make Kansas slave State or free
State that it may if it fit, submit the constitution
for ratification to the people to the registered voters
TO II is their business. No other power has
the right to interfere Neither the President nor Con-
gs the governor of the Territory has any right 20
question their action The convention Is endowed with
all the attributes Of sovereignty Ii is the State GOV
Walker thinks differently The convention must do his
bidding, he viii oppose their admission into the Union
And who pray is Gov. Walker that he should assume
to play the yrant free people An Executive APP
pointee whose only power and duty is TO obey and exc
cute the laws Of the Territory and yet he presucs to
dictate 70 body clothed with all the awful attributes Of
sovereignty
His course is utterly indefcnsibc. The southern de-
mocacy have Reproduced it. and have asked for his re-
call
II is rumored that the administration will not only re-
fuse to recall Gov Walker, but will sustain his policy
We cannot believe IT, But II it does ito your tents
Israeli win ring like war-cry from end Of the South
to the other and the administration win forfeit all hold
upon the South
This, as conceive it, is the position OF the southern
democracy. They exhibit to-day sublime spectacle be-
lore the world. party in the first flush of glorious
victory and before the spells distributed ready
and prepared TO break with the chief Of their choice il