The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-08-28

Ter VIZ. REFS, As'..
The Democracy OpPosca 80 slavery
Exsensten.
In the winter Of lS4S-'49 the Democratic
Senate OF Iowa passed set Of resolutions,
amongst which was the following:
Resolved, That WHENEVER Congress
shall be required to act upon the question OF
slavery in any Of the Territories NOWFREE
and belonging to the United States, our Sen
ators be inslructed and our Representative
requested to erert their influence IN favor of
a lao PROHIBITING the institution Of
slavery within any such territory.
Here the Democracy Of Iowa, through the
Senate, expressed in unequivocal language
the almost unanimous sentiment Of all par
ties in the North at that period, in favor OF
the sonsti.utionality and propritty Of cxclu-
ding slavery from the free Territories by
constitutional enactment. That policy Was
carried into practical effect in the formation
Of THE Territories of Minnesota, Oregon and
Washington, and every Democrat in Con-
gress from the Northern States voted for the
prohibition of Slavery by act OF Congress
within the limits OF those Territories. And
in the declaration Of those sentiments and
the adoption of that policy in regard to the
Territories, the Democrats Of ls4s followed
in the footsteps Of the founders Of the Gov
ernment and rc-afhrmed the policy of Wash
ington and Jefferson and their ilustrious
compeers and successors.
But four yeargs ago reckless demagogue
OF Illinois, having come into possession Of q
plantation of slaves by marriage with n South
ern wife, and anxious for Southern support
for the Presidency denied that Congress had
any Constitutional right to prohibit slavery
in the Territories. And now the dogma has
become the creed Of that party which so oft
en- and SO solemnly promulged the very OPP
posite. And now every man in the North
who continues to maintain the principles
which all avowed and professed FIVE years
ago, is denounced by these rsnegades as ne
gro worshippers, traitors, &c.
Even the acknowledged chiefs Of the two
wings Of the Democracy are on the record
within the last ten years in favor Of the Mis-.
souri, Compromise line and the power of
Congress to prohibit slavery in the Terrific
ries. Douglus is douby committed by votes
in Congress and by his Springfield speech, in
which he denounced curse upon the ruth.
less hand which should seek TO disturb thai
Compromise, halIowed in the hearts Of al
patriots. Buchanan, in his letters to the De
mocracy Of Berks county, dated 25th Aug .
ls47; to I. Sanford, Esq, during the nexl
season, and to William l.. Yancey in letter
dated 18th May, lS4s, is very earnes. and
decided in his declarations. We extract tn,
conclusion Of the latter letter, which is q,
follows:
''On the Goth Of August last, after much
reflection, l addressed e letter to the Democ
racy Of Berks county, Penn, on this import.
ant and exciting question, in which | CT
pressed the opinion In favor OF the extension
OF the Missouri Compromise to any territory
which We might acquire from Mexico. had
entertained and freely expressed this opinion
from the time the question vas FIRST agitated
and every days experience, since the date oil
my letter, has but seemed to strengthen nv
conviction, that the Missouri Compromise j.
the best, II not the only mode, Of finally and
and satisfactorily adjusting this vexed and
\ dangerous question. Under these ciircum.
ptAnces, cannot abandon the position have
teItberotsiy and conscientiousIy taken, and
fsums any other that can be presented.
t'l have the honor Of transmitting you !
6opy OF my Berks county letter. With sen
Ytiplents Of the highest regard, remain yours
sincerely. JAMES BreuAsAN."
Now, after such full and final commit.a
upon this subject, in every shape and form
within so brief period, what recklessnes
and brazen effrontery are exhibited in til
present denunciations uttered against the Re
pubiicans who hold just the views on thi
subject nvowed by Buchanan, Douglas an,
Northern Democrats generally We abid
still In the doctrines and the faith OF the faith
ers and founders Of our liberties and repub
,ic.r government. The doavh-faced Dernoc
racy having proved traitors TO liberty an,
renegsdes TO principle, seek to divert atsen
ton from their own vile treachery by wagin,
. war Of opprobious cpi.hets against tn
Republicans, Who have bravely maintainc,
their principles and their honor. But word
and spithsts will prove powerless agains
such facts - We have arrayed above in proc
or the dishonest nd treacherous inconsist
sney Of the slave Democracy.