Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-08-05
Anti. Lecompton Democracy ! .


n5, Anti -Lecompton Democracy. 10
loThe Anti-Lecomptonism manifested
in the democratic party, has been actua-
ted by various motives. That it is as.
cribable, to large extent, to real An
ti-Slavery sentiment, is a mistake. Many
have been led to suppose that the oppo-
sition to Leoompton manifested by a
fragment of the democracy in Congress,
and by portion of the party at the
North, indicative of determination to
resist the ,encroachments of the Slave
power; this is true only to limited ex-
tent. Take for example, Mr.. Douglas,
the leader Of the Anti Lecompton de
mocracy in Congress; wherein do his
Anti-Slavery notions differ from those
held by the democracy Of Virginia or
Louisiana? The position Of Douglas as
to the rights of Slavery under the con
stitution, does not differ from that of
Southern politicians; hefholds freedom
and slavery in the territories to be equal
ly national; so do they. The South re-
gard the bred Scott decision as one Of
the strong defences Of slavery; power
which is to override the sovereignty Of
States, and defy Legislatures. Douglas
cordially endorses that decision, and
makes its mandate part of his political
platform. What now can the most ar
dent worshipper of negro slavery ask?
No wonder some of the leading South
ern democratic presses, are now interpo-
sing in behalf of Douglas, to shield him
and his followers from the persecution
of the administration. -r rea s9erg.
What is true in respect to the anti
slaveryism of Douglas, is also true of a
large proportion of Anti-Lecompton
democrats. There can be no difficulty
in distinguishing the Anti-Lecempton-
SIN, which really opposes the extension
of negro slavery, from that which is
mere sham. The man who honestly de-
tested and repudiated the Lecompton
policy, because of its purposes to enforce
Slavery in Kansas, will not be found en-
dorsing the administration of James Blu.
chanan; they will pass no resolutions
eulogizing his patriotism and statesman
ship. They will not proclaim their in
tention to take part in the National Con-
vention in 1860 with the Toombses, Sill
dells, and Hammonds Of the South.
They will not be heard insisting on their
adhesion to the democratic organization,
and regarding their exclusion from it as
deplorable misfortune. There need
be no misunderstanding as to the true
position of all professed Anti -Lecomp-
ton democrats; if they persist in adher-
ing to the party Of the administration,
then are their anti-slavery pretensions Of
no more worth than any slave holder of
the South. The policy Of the admins
tration, is the policy Of the Southern De-
mocracy; that being the controlling and
ruling element. The Slave States repre-
sent the numerical strength of the ad-
ministration democracy; the point of ad-
hesion, then, to the democratic organiza.
ton, furnishes the distinguishing test
between sham and real opposition to
what has been done, or attempted to be
done in Kansas. The democratic lead.
ers treat every enc as good soldiers who
keep in the ranks; they are content with
unity of action, without insisting ON uni
tyof opinion. @
There is no evidence whatever that
the administration has changed its Le-
compton policy; the President has re.
canted none of his former declarations
Ills followers, therefore, know full well
WHITTIER they are being lead; they are
drifting every year further and further
from the Jeffersonian standard of faith
and fruition. But such of the Nortbarn
Anti-Leeompton democrats, as are sim
cere In their opposition to the national
lzng Of Slavery, will assist to put out Of
power, and keep out of power the cabal
which has now ruled two Presidents in
succession to the damage of public in.
terests, and which viii absolutely br;no
anarchy and ruin on the country, if suf
fered to be dominant for a third time
They will cooperate in averting the ca.
lamity off third President, of the stripe
Of Pierce and Buchanan, because, be.
lieying in common with all the oppesers
of the present administration, that such