Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-07-15
In what do we Differ

readers. The Journal of Commerce is
known as Il conservative paper of great
honesty and independence. It's con-
illusions are drawn from.no other prem
Uses thar such as one might draw who
has but an earnest wish for the highest
prosperity and honor of the whole coun-
try. We commend this article to the
Ohio Democracy who have already an
ticipated by their action and harmony,
the spirit of the article. Here it is:
1t seems to be generally understood
by the public that a controversy, or at
least a serious difference of opinion, ex-
lists between the friends Of thea dminis-
tration and the friends of Judge Doug
lass; a difference supposed to be shared
by the President and the Senator from
illinois. Upon this assumed under
standing we are treated t long disqui-
sition on the split in the Democratic par
ty, and speculations about its result
We have not been different observers Of
the political events of the last few
months, and have watched with some at
t%cntion, the proceedings at Washington,
and also the action of the Democrats OF
Illinois, which are understood to be bas-
ed on the relative position Of the distin-
guished leaders whom we have named,
and we are compelled to say we arc
unable to discover any such conflict of
opinion, touching political affairs, as can
furnish a reasonable ground for con-
trovcrsy,-much less, afford 4 valid Elk
cuse for introducing discord and dissen-
:o.. ;Dfa GItha nart- Of tln cnnntrr
The President, as all are aware, con
sidered and accepted the Compromise
Bill of Mr.. English, as a settlement and
final disposition Of the Kansas controv-
ersy. 1t is so regarded by his friends
and by the party generally; and there
have been general congratulations
throughout the country, that the ques-
ton had reached its solution. 1fthe peo-
pie of Kansas wish to come into the I'm
ion they will so determine by their votes
on the I'd of August. Ifthey deem it wis
! or to remain in a Territorial condition
for the pres ent, no one will find fault
with that decision. Such we under
stand to be the present aspect Of the
case, and We do not probably mistake
the Presidents views in saying that he
thus looks upon the subject. Let US
see how Judge Douglass understands
the case.
In a speech delivered in the Senate
at the special session, June 18th, Mr..
Douglass, in speaking on the state of
parties in Illinois, used the following
language
"Whichever way the people may de-
eide the question at that election, on the
End of August will be final and con-
elusive. If they reject the proposition
submitted by Congress, the Lecompton
Constitution is dead, and there is an
end to the controversy. If, on the con-
trary, they accept the proposition, Kan
sas from that moment becomes a State
of the Union, and thus the controversy
terminates. Whether they shall accept
or reject the proposition, is a question
for the people of Kansas to settle them
selves, and with which neither Congress
nor the people ofthe several States, nor
any person, official or otherwise, out
side of that Territory, has any right to
interfere. Hence the !"-cmpton con-
stitution is at an end; for all men, Of all
parties, must be content with and abide
by whatever decision the people Of Kan
sas may make"
Taking the opinions Of the President
and Of Senator Douglass as the senti-
ments of those who act with them, we
are at a loss to account for any such
opinions Of difference as will warrant
the dismembermcnt of Il great political
party, and its jeoparding Of its pros
poets and hopes. When members of a
political party are divided upon princi-
Piles, there is a decent apology for Il diff
ference in action; but here we have the
absurd proposition that those who are
closely and firmly united in sentiment,
shall divcrgc in their political action
single question, noac Setticd, and which
cannot enter into future party conflicts.
If it be said that the same question may
arise with respect to other Territories,
we have the declaration of the President
in his Annual Message, now fully en-
dorsed by Mr.. Douglass, that "the ex-
ample set by the last Congress requiring
that the Constitution of Minnesota
should be subject to the approval and
ratification Of the people Of the proposed
State" should, in his judgment, "bc
followe! on future occasions" This
declaration on the part of the President,
cmphaticaliy c%oncurred in by Mr., Doug
lass, affords assurance Of future agree
mcnt on this important point.
We do not think that the people OF
the country who havclaborcd for the
settlement of the Kansas question:
who have just emerged from a contest
Of four years, duration, in which they
have, as Il body, agreed on all important
points, are now going to be drawn into
a quarrel among themselves, about a
single poiSt of difference already settled
and which clearly belongs to the past.-
Those who prefer to quarrel with their
friends, and ruin their own cause, rather
than forgetting the minor difference OF
the past and looking only to the main
tcnance Of sound principles Of govern
ment in the future, act in harmony and
peace, will fan the flames Of personal
discord, and to the extent of their in
%lueuce, create divisions where none OK
lists in principle. We do not belong to
that hclioerant class: and we think thai