Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-17


ing their slaves out into oil the territories
The darling scheme of the President Is the
formation and admission of slave States. In
oil his territorial appointments he has sin-
gle eye to the extension of Slavery. The his
tory of Kansas teaches us how much can be
done by the national administration to foster
and propagate its favorite Institution. Ii we
look, for moment, at what James Buchanan
has been able to accomplish in little more
than one year, we shall not hesitate to throw
every obstacle in his way, and prevent an en-
tire subversion Of the rights Of free labor. If
he could accomplish SO much in one year, what
may he not do in three years more !
Republicans have contended most strenuous
ly that Slavery ought not to be permitted to
go into the territories but now new question
presents itslf. Slavery has become established
in the territories by the action OF the general
government That government cannot be
changed for many years. Three years is as
soon as it will be possible to change the Ex-
ecutiVe, and many more must pass before a
change can be effected in the Z. s. Senate
What then is the duty Of the Republican party
in this unpleasant position Of affairs =! Their
clear, plain, and imperative duty is 10 ead0rsc
the action Of he1r representatives in Congress.
Yielding to the necessities Of the case, they
voted for the Crttenden, Montgomery amend
mcnt. Politicians, like other men, must con
form to the circumstances under which they find
themselves placed. No particular rule car
govern them in q general course OF action
Our representatives sustained the Crttenden
amendment, although its principle is not in ac
cordance with the platform of 1856 and the
whole country approves their course. They
yield not one foot of ground, and gave up not
one principle, so the party can endorse thai
action without compromising their position in
the least
Slavery being in the Territories, the general
question is, shall the actual settlers have tht
right to legislate it out
The federal government having forced Sla
very upon Kansas against the wishes Of
large majority of her actual settlers, the par
ticular question presents itself, Have The
people of Kansas the right to say they will
not have Slavery ?" They have that right
most unquestionaby Republicans ought tc
claim that right for them Americans claim
the right for them, and SO do Douglas Dem
ocrats
Here, then, is basis Of union for the three
parties, or rather is principle which the thre,
parties can support together at the polls, a.
their representatives did in Congress.
Is it inconsistent for Republicans to claim
this right for the people of the Territories ?
No. 1t is consistent for Republicans to oppose
the Dred Scott decision in every way anC
under all circumstances. BY that decision the
Constitution is made to protect Slavery in tht
| Territories and it would be unconstitutiona
for Congress or the people to exclude it,
Therefore, when Republicans claim the rgh
to exclude Slavery from the Territories, b,
any power whatever, they are still opposing
the Democratic principle that the Constitution
protects Slavery wherever the Constitution i
recognized
We say, let the Convention which is abou
10 meet at Harrisburg endorse the vote o
our Representatives in Congress upon tht
Crittenden- Montgomery amendment Let then
endorse it most emphatcally and then W
shall have basis upon which all the oppo
nents of the administration can unite to over
throw the most corrupt and Infamous admins
tration that ever cursed a free government"