Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-04
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
BY BITCHIE s. DUNNAYANT.
FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMRER a
a CRISIS,

"a CNlSlS.
On Noaday next Congress will convene. Jamce
Buch isIs Hrs message will soon be laid before The
people OF every portion Of our country. An Admin
isration chosen to pursue q policy founded upon the
principles OF the Constitution, just to all sections
and parta to none "i in few days, be fairly under
way andtwil then remain to be whether it is q
be strengthened and sustained by that great conserva
tive sentiment which carr ed it into power, or to be
embarrassed by dissensions and division in the De
mocratc party On all other questions than that Of
slavery, We have lttls apprehension of any very GO
rous result from disagreemens that may possibly
arise. And, with regard TO that, our apprehension
are not that there will be any good ground afforded
for such disturbance as may lead to a schism in the
ranks of the National Democracy. but that the e1-
trensts of the South who already opposed to the
Administration may find that plausible pretext
which they SO sadly need, in the mpolitic course OF
those Northern Democrats, who contend that Kansas
should not be admitted into the Union yet because the
whole Of the Lecompton Constitution has not been sub
mtted to the vote of the people, II is true as the ques
tion now stands and the Administration is said TO
stand upon it, it would seem, that there is greater
danger Of opposition from portion of the Northern
have been 80 significantly threatening and savagely
assaing Mr.. Buchanan. But in politics. as in other
things appearances are often deceptive.
We would not attempt to disguise the fact, that
there are Democrats at tue North who differ widely
from those views with reference to the Kansas
question in its presen. aspect, which the Ad
mlntltratlon il represented to entertain. Nor
do we mean to express doubt that the views OF
the Administration have been rightly represented.-
We would not be understood either as implying that
this difference Of opinion between the President and
aporton of the Nerthern Democracy, will not amount
to conflict between them when the question relative
to the admission Of Kansas is brought before Con-
gress; for unless one side or the other yields must
inevitably be 80. But We have ta,h an tic fdHRy
Of the Northern Democracy. They wore we'll tried
in the contest of last FALL and would as soon m.
pugn the patriotism of Nathaniel Macon, or the mil.
ary skill and personal courage of Winfield Scott, as
TO regard with dstrust their professions OF friendship
for the South until We have much stronger
evidence Of their treschery than any that has
yet been adduced. In opposing the admission ol
Kansas into the Union, because they consider
the action of the Lecompton Convention an
of the people, we believe them to be acting unwsey,
but with honest and patriotic iutenons-and. there
fore, though they may be arrayed against the Ad-
ninstratons on this question, in Congress, the point
of difference is Of such character as 10 argue no
enmity either lasting or temporary, between them
On the contrary, We maintain that the extreme posi-
ton, assumed by some of the Northern Democracy,
in regard 10 the principle OF popular sovereignty i'll
this instance, deDo;es that tenacy to the tenes Of
the Democratic party, and the spirit of our Govern.
men which ia so essential to the security OF South
ern rights, and argues mutual continuance OF con-
fidence between them and the Administration. Mr..
Buchanan, is understood, would also have preferred
that the whole Con,tuton should have been referred
to the people. But snce it has been decided to allo"
the popular vote TO taken with reference 10 slavery
ouly, he advocates its acceptance by Congress in
order that this dangerous question may be removed
as soon as possible fDm the halls OF Fedora! legs
aton.
The Northern Democrats, who are in favor OF the
return of the Constitution, that all its provisions may
DO submitted to the pple oaly push the principle ot
popular sovereignty fther in this Instance than the
Administration and those who concur with it. Such
difference cannot seriousy affect the relations Of the
National Democracy North or South nor OF the form
er with Mr.. Buchanan.
As the KaDsa. question is now presented, go
far as it is alone concerned, It appears that
the Democrats Of the South and q portion
of the Democracy OF the North will be with the Adj
ministrslion while another portion of the Northern
Democracy will b opposed to it, 1t mus: be Il
source of sincere regret TO every true National De-
mocrat that some If our allies and co.sborers in the
cause Of the Constitution the South and the Cnlon'
in the North, should thus be THROWN even tor
moment, into CO operation with the Black Republican
party, however contradictory may be thslr motives
and purposes. This is, We think, sad mistake OIL
the par: of those members of the Northern wing OF
the National Democratic party WHO are 90 ref'ac'
tory in crisis like This. And we cannot but hope
that they will coon acknowledge their error, and ac'
ouiesce in the sentiment favorable to the admission
of Kansas with the Lecompton Constitution. 1t they
do not their course may prove seriously injurious TO
the party. Those Southern fsctlonists who are row
obliged by force Of orcumsiances-hat is to say by
the bold determined, and patriotic attitude OF The
Adminstrstion-to suspend their assaults upon
Mr.. Buchanan, will no doubt avail themselves
of the position of this portion OF the North
ern Democracy and renew their efforts with
ten fold energy, not directly against the Admins
,ra,ion. but egans, the Democrats of the North
And if they are enabled to make breach, their end
w;ll be almost effected. They will then be enabled
% contes, the control of the next national conven.
ton. with the National Democrats of the South, un.
der an advantage, which they do not now enJoy and
dissolution of the Union will not be half go difficult
TO accomplish. This dsunon clique OF the South at
one time favored the doctrine that the whole Con-
sttution should be sent to Congress without the SUBJ
mission Of any part OF it to the people. They have
now fallen back from that position; and they
scouiesce in the action OF the Convention
The ground which they occupied in the hrst
instance did not afford firm foohold. And
their agreement to the submission of the slavery
question 10 the people is matter OF necessity
Rut on the Kansas question: as it now stands, they
ara sboulder TO shoulder with the National, State
rights, Unlon.lovng Democracy of the South And
it is to be deeply lamented that the who'e Norsnern
Dsmocracy are not also with us in favor of the ad
mission of Kansas under the action OF the IIecomp-
,on Convention. We do not believe that the Demo-
crats who differ from the Administration on this point
will be numerous enough in Congress to exclude
Ksrsas. But it would be far better that no opposi-
tion should be made by any portion OF the Democ
raoy.
The golden opportunity is now near at hand. when
tho National Democrats, North and South, may be
enabled to place themselves in position even more
;mnre,usbe than that which they now occupy and
., which the assaults Of the fac,onists would make
as little impression drops on rock of granite
That oppor,unity should not be allowed to pass. The
nos;,iop of the Administration on the Kansas ques'
t;on. which We may call the slaUery question com
,,ands the endorsement of the utraists who have
bsep charging Mr. Buchanan with detection. Let
the whole Northern Democracy now rally around the
s,.ndard of the President And with the cid of the
No,onsl Democrats of the South, the disunionsts
osn accomplish nothing in their efforts TO break down