Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-07-10
Kansas. LEI bic Democracy and lts OppoMemts

The ma ority of Southern Democrats find fault
with Governor Walker, because of his taking occa-
sion in his capacity Of Governor, 10 express opn-
ion upon the suitabeness of Kansas for Slave labor
as we'll as for the dctatorial of his insisting
upon the constitution to be formed by the convention
soon to be held being submitted to the vote of the
whole population of Kansas. These are expressions
of opinion perfectly harmless in themselves, and only
Objectionable, because of their being embodied in
the official declarations of funciionary occupying
the position TO which Mr.. Walker has been appoint
ed. They are opinions which every citizen has full
right to entertain if they suit his judgment, just
he has right lie entertain opinions directly opposite
and to express them too for The freedom of opinion
and action upon this subject is the very essence Ct
the Kansas Nebraska legislation, and of all just legis
lation for the Territories. But Governor Walker is
sent TO Kansas to laws imparally executed, not
in any to lend the influence OF his official station
to give direction to the popular decision, which ought
TO be made freely and without interference.
But if Southern Democrats generally take this
view, what view do the organs of the Know Nothing
party at the South take-what view can the oppo.
nentS of Democracy in any section or under any
name, take? They all of them, denounced the law
that opened the territories 10 southern men under
any conditions. If it reckless and unwise TO
repeal the Missouri compromise, 1T must, in their
opinion, have been prudent and wise to have retained
that prohibition. anu decreea by express law that
slavery should be forcbly excluded from the whole
of the territory above the line of thrty-sx thirty
Surely parties that far in favour of the for
chile exclusion OF Southern men and Southern pro,
perty, ought 10 have little to say against Mr. Walker
for mere expression of opinion with reference TO the
probable decision of the people, when called upon to
decide for themselves. If the opposition only had got
its way there could be no difference of opinion about
Mr. Walkers course. There would be no opinions
no room for opinions about the adaptation of Kan
sas to slave labor 1t would thave been prohibited
6v Tau. To let it in all was reckless and unwise
according to the platform which Mr.. Fillmore an,
and upon which he sustained by every anti Dem.
ocrat in the State, and in the Union.
If MIR. Walker went too far as we think he did
for man in his position, when he stopped to argue
the question of expedency, to beudged of free
y by the people, what shall we think of an opposi-
ton, that stood up for unconstitutional prohibition
under form of law, and denounced the removal Of
that unconstitutional prohibition as "reckless and
unwise." Surely if Mr.. Walker has deviated from
Democratic rule, and just SO far as he has deviated
he ought to receive the applause Of the opposition,
towards whose platform be appropriated just that
much 1t is a matter legtmatey within the cogni.
of the Democratic press and party not of those
who denounce everything like Southern rights in
the territory.
| We speak now, of course, of party leaders and
party organs The Democratic papers of the South
simply remember their position as representatives Of
Southern opinion and Southern interests, and while
they recognise the National Democratic party and
the Democratic administration as the best nationa
exponent OF one and protector of the other they ye
feel under no obligation TO withhold their censurt
from what they deem violatve Of the principles, o
opposed to the policy, for which they cortend.