The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-19
GOVERNOR WALKER AND KAESAs-DI-
VISION IN THE SOUTH.

conservative and destructive factions of the De-
nocracy widens every DAY. The one cares lit
tie for the Union. puts no faith in Northern
Democrats, RACES over the Free State triumph
in Kansas denounces General Walker, and is
barely civil to Mr.. Buchanan. The other is
jealous for the Union just so long as it shall
have power to determine its Presidency, con-
siders the National Democracy of the North the
hope of the Union and the safeguard of Sla-
very, acquiesces in the Free State success in
Kansas on the ground that no Slavery triumph
won by fraud could advance the interests of the
National Democracy, defends Gov. Walkery
and cordially sustains Mr.. Buchanan, as per-
fectly loyal to Southern policy. The Richmond
(Vs.) South quotes passages from the letter of
Mr.. Heath, published lately in our columns, to
show that Governor Walker has been acting in
concert with the Kansas Abolitionists. 1t
might have quoted from letters in the New
York Tribune, to show precisely the reverse.
The Georgia Democracy, under the leadership
of Messrs. Toombs and Stephens, formerly
Wings, calls upon Mr.. Buchanan to remove
Governor Walker. The Washington CORES
pendent of the Richmond (Va.) Enquirer says
that he will be neither removed nor repri.
manded. That paper from day to day lsbors
to unite the South in support of the National
Democracy, and charges the opposite faction
with harboring designs against the Union no
less reasonable than those entertained by the
Disunion Abolitionists of the North 1t looks
forward to the meeting of Congress with much
apprehension, although the Democracy will
have nominal majority of twenty-five. But,
how many of these will represent the destructive
policy of the Extreme Party? 1t predicts that
war will be made by professed friends against
the Administrations, within thirty days after
the opening Of the session. These men, it
says, seem determined to force Slavery upon
the People of a Territory, whether they desire
it or not in utter disregard of the Principles of
Popular Sovereignty. But, this Principle has
been rendered by Southern Democrats, and &C
cepted by Northern, as the true solution of the
Slavery controversy. If adhered to faithfully,
in letter and spirit union and cooperation be-
tween these two sections are practicable,
the National Democracy is assured of perma
nent ascendency, and the domestic institutions
of the South, of perpetual protection.
On this Principle, Mr.. Buchanan was elect
ed-to its maintenance he is pledged-good
faith and sound policy require that it should be
honestly carried out, let the results be what
they may.
The discussion between these Southern fac.
tons turns chiefly upon the course of Governor
Walker in Kansas. Hitherto we haverecorded the
public acts of this officer, without commenting
specially upon the merits or dement's of his
conduct. We suppose that neither he nor Mr..
Buchanan makes Slavery a matter of con.
science; that he regards it as normal and
beneficial system, wherever the climatic law
does not render slave labor unproductive, his
public declarations show; and there is nothing
in the known principles Of Mr.. Buchanan, as
illustrated by his life, to conflict with this theo
~. It is fair to assume, therefore, that the
President, in appointing Mr.. Walker to his
present station, was Indifferent, on the whole,
whether Slavery should be established in Kan
sas or not; or, if he felt any concern about it,
it grew out Of party considerations, not philan.
thropic feelings.
Mr.. Walker is neither bigot nor fanatic.
Pro-Slavery man, we suppose neither his
prejudees nor personal interests are strong
enoughNto make him Propagandist or induce
him to seek the extension Of Slavery as a su-
preme object, although his principles and asso
Citations would naturally lead him to throw the
weight Of his influence on the Pro-Slavery side.
We think he intended, in accepting the ap-
pointment Of Governor, to secure the pacifca-
ton of Kansas, and to carry out the Principle
OF Popular Sovereignty announced in the Kan
sasN Nebraska act, but in such way as to give
free course to Slavery, ard yet not offend the
Democracy of the North. AS a conservative
Southern Democrat, he considered the Kansas
imbroglio dangerous to an Administration
which the South had been mainly instrumental
in electing, and he was anxious for the resto-
ration Of the Northern Democracy to power. as
necessary to the continued maintenance Of
Southern domination.
On entering the Territory, he spoke words of
peace and kindness to both sides. By en-.
larging upon the al-powerful Influences Of eli
matte laws on the growth or extinction Of Sla.
very, and the futility of all human enactmen,s.
he hoped to allsy the heat of the combatan.s in
the Territory, and to enlistin his support all the
conservatives in the country, who had been in
doetrinated in the same views BY eminent
Northern and Southern statesmen. The bold.
ness with which he recognised the validity of
the Legislature of Kansas, and declared his
purpose to enforce all its acts, cost what Il
might, and his recognition of the legitimacy of
Convention chosen by a minority of the PEG.
pie OF Kansas to form Constitution for them,
were well calculated to conciiate the favor of
even the extreme party Of the South; but. the
Northern Democracy might justly have taken
| offence, had he not at the same time declared
himself in favor of the policy of submitting the
Constitution to be formed, together with the
question of Slavery, to popular vote.
To recognise the fragrant usurpation of the
Pro Slavery Party in Kansas 10 recognise @
Pro-Slavery Convention elected by minority
vote, and then to sustain that assemblage in
sending to Congress directly a Pro.Slavery
Constitution, without submitting it to vote Of
the People, would have furnished the Republ
cans with potent if not fatal arguments against
Mr.. Buchansn's friends in the North.
Doubtless, Governor Walker may be honest
ly attached to the Principle of Popular Sover
eighty but, whatever his feelings on this point
his decided stand in support of the policy Of
submitting the question of Slavery to vote OF
| the People was a political necessity and as