The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-07-22

ia accordance with the Declaration Of
Independence.
The following extracts from an admi.
rable editorial in the last National Era,
shows the exact position of parties at the
present day:
"Since the final adjustment of the financial
controversy, By the establishment Of the In
dependent Treasury system ard the acquies-
cance of the whole country therein, each OF the
old party organization has ceased to ne an
exponent Of any distinctive political princi-
ples. It has been the aim Of the last and
present Administrations to appropriate to it.
self the name Of the st snccessfal party, but
without claim or title 10 its principles The
Republican party irst, and the Democratic
party subsequently. wer3 supporters OF the
rights of the States am opposed to the as
Snn pti0n and exercise oi undeiegated powers
by the National Government. But the policy
Of this Administrai ION Is the reverse of this
ant L is their boast not that they sustain the
rights aad sovereignty o: the States, but thai
they are National. To na.ionalize and extend
the great monopoly interest Of Slayery, are the
great objects and purposes of the Administla-
ton party.
"Sectioaalism, the tvia sister Of centraliSm,
is fosteFcd ard sustained by the Administra-
ton, and is cherished ana patronzed in re-
turn. Nr. Buchanan, an original Feicralist
was elected, as the friend and supporter OF
Southern rights" There are no Northern
rights or Western rights, but the President
and his friends are tic devoted champions OF
Southern tights. 1t is hardly possible to
name an Administration journal that does not
express, empnaticaiiy aad with zeal, its fidel-
ity to the rights of the South. If the South
has rights that DO not belong TO other por-
tionS Of the Uaion-rights not possessed bv
the States respective!y--it would be well that
they should be defined. Our Constitution
and laws recognise the rights of States, the
rights of individuals, anl certain enumcr-
ated National rights, bat there is no legal
or constitutional recognition of distinctive
Southern rights.
"What are the prominent political issues
now before the country? They are not com
1ncrci2i, as in the earlier part of the present
century, when the Republican, and Federal
parties existed. Nor are they .fjnaaci1i, as was
the case when the Democrats and Wings were
arraycd in opposition>to to each other. When
the present Congress met, in December last,
the Administration had decided ma ajority in
both branches. The Executive had therefore
an opportunity to initiate its policy, and
strengthen its position if correct, as it would
weaken it if wrong. OF its measures and
principles, the whole country was to Judge
and they were such as to make not one con
vert to the Administration, but TO alternate
thousands and tens of thousands ofitS friends.
It's whole strength was expended in an effort
to inhict upon an unwilling people in a dis
tant Territory q Constitution which they did
not make or authorize 10 be made. which they
never approved, bat which by their votes at
the balot-hoX they emphat.caliy aud decided
~ repudiated and rejected. Yet, with these
facts in It's possession, the Administration ex-
erted and perverted the WHOLE powec Of the
Government to deprive that people of the in
herent and inalienable right of self-goYern-
ment. This was and is the great ana leading
measure of the Administration-its distinc-
tive policy. The National Government by
an arbitrary and unwarranted exercise Of Fed
eral power, would crush out popular and
Srate sovereignty, 1t is not surprising that
the Administrative was defeated, and its pol
icy disapproved, by many of its ablest friends
but it is strange that the discipline of party
and the influence of patronage were so potent
as to coercc many into an abandonment OF
the principles which they once professcd, Sc
that they are no longer of the strict-construc-
tion and State-rights school of politics, but
centralstS and sectiOnaiiSts."