Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-09-29
Letter From J. Y. James ESQ.

The following letter to the HUra Lciy-
sr from J. Y. James ESD, Is well worthy a
perusal.by those who hesitate about sup
porting the nominees of the democratic
party. Mr. J. is an avowed democrat, but
too honest a one TO vote for the opposition
candidate for Congress 10y way of showing
his devotion to the doctrines of popular
sovereignty We commend the letter and
example Of M James to anti-Lecompton
democrats everywhere.
Ma. EDrrOR: As the authorship of the
article in the last LEDGER In relation to
JUDGE GILLIs las by some been imputed
10 me. / take this method to correct the
misapprehension, and 10 state further that
its general import does not accord with
MY views.
/ am aware that it is Of little coase-
queHce 10 the public in regard 10 nv views
upon the subject Of political matters, but
1t may be OF some moment to me as 10
what others may think of NV own ypin-
ions.
With an ardent wish to contribute nv
humble influence TO the support Of Mr..
BUchanan's administration, I found my
self compelled TO dissent from his Kansas
policy, AID subsequent reflection has not
produced any change in my mind as to
the propric.y Of the measure. On the
contrary, recent developments have con-
tirmed me in the belief that it has been
the great. If not the only, mistake of his
administration. There j. not d shadow of
doubt but large majority of the democ-
racv Of this county entertain similar OPT
ions TO my own regarding this question.
This Is not a question of men, but of
fundamental principle, and cannot be
compromised upon any tcrm-there Is no
halfway ground the majority of every
seperate political community must -a.'rL
restrained only by the Constitution of the .
United States. This power of the people
to govern themselves Is not derived from
Congress, but from OmniuOtence: il j. in .
herent, and exists from the first moment
Of their constitutional organization.
This is the democratic doctrine of the
Cincinnati Platform. as expounded lv.
Cobb, Fright Van Burcn and others I'm .
lS56 IN Northwestern PcnnsvIvania. Ii
teaches that Congress has no power over
the subject Of slavery iu any state or terri
tory, but the people thereof are left en-
tirely free TO establish or reject it as they
may deem most proper 1t requires Con
gress 10 admit states either with. or with
out slavery. as NAV have been decided bv
III people previously
Does CHEFIN HALL entertain or profess
these viewss II is well known he does
not. Should he publicly say he would
vote -Or :he admission of state with -la-
very, hundreds Ol his party would refuse
10 vote for him. When the interest or
necessities Of this nation shall require ad-
dIuonal territory. Will he agree TO vote for
such acquisition regardless Of the question
whether ID j. slave or free territory
Most assuredly the honest menof his party
viii vote against him should he make any
Tlch promise. Then why should anv pop-
uiaT sovereignty democrat vote for him
] don't see how he can consistently do it.
To sustain a President Of his choice.
JUDsE GILLIs has in one point departed
from the democratic doctrine, but he ac-
knowledges it, binding force, and declares
his unalterable purpose to vote for the adj
mission Of Kansas whenever Application
shall be made, without regard to popula-
ton.
have said, as this was question Of
pril cIp.e. no compromise could be made.
and if we lAnti-Lecompt0n DemocratsI
could not compromise In favor Of a Demo- ;
crat protesting 20 recognize the doctrine
1f our party. how can we consistently
compromise on man pat forward bv a
party that repudiates all the essential ele-
ments Of our platf0rms For myself in
tend 70 cast my vote in reference to the 4
promotion Of the principles OF popular
sovereignty as understood by the Anti-Le-
Democracy. regardless Of the !
past and independent Of personal consid- I
srations / shall remember neither friend
nor enemy IN arriving at a decision under
this rule. cannot vote for Mr.. HAIL.
j. y. JAMES.