Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-05-01
TIE DIFFERENCE

twenty-five members Of Congress elected from
the free States IS Democrats voted against the sd
mission Of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitu-
ton. They claim to be Democrats yet. They are
anxious to be considered such. They assert that
they agree with that party upon all other subjects.
They av0E their determination 20 act with the De-
mocracy in all things cave upon the question Of
slavery it presents itself in the Territories. Il
can be urged too in extenuation Of their offence,
that they are Northern men; that their prejudices
are al against slavery thai they were educated 70
dislike it; that they taught believe It inju-
rous to society, and curse the country. But it
matters not. The Democratic party has ever made
q recognition of the constitutional rights Of the
South test Of membership. No man, no matter
what his talents or influence, or how high his posi-
ton can assail these rights and remain in that par
-ty. They are State rights, their maintenance is
indispensable to the preservation Of the UnIon and
the Democratic party does not permit them to be
attacked. Van Buren, Benton, Chase Cameron,
Hamlin, and Hale are but a few Of the illustrious
names that have been stricken from the Democratic
rolls for want of fidelity TO those rights; aad the
loss even Of these great men, by indicating the
purity and patriotism Of the party but added its
strength. So it is nov, and so il will be. In the
Northern States the enemies Of Democracy are
strong and defiant. They marshailing their
forces to crush out party they effect 10 despise-
The Democratic party in the free States will need
all the strength it command 10 the elections this
fall; but faithful friends there will not sacri-
fee principle to expediency They will not recog-
nize as Democrats those who would be glad 10 act
with them, because they cannot do so without yield
ing just principle. They plant themselves upon
the platform Of their party. aud 50 into conflict
10 yindicate the rights of the slave-holding States
from which they cannot come scathless and 10
which they may be crushed Out With fearful
conflict before them, the brave Democrats OF the
free States refuse recognise Douglas stuart, and
Brodarick md fWantV.LWO mRmbnrs nj ne Lower
House, because to accept the assislanes Of these
men would require them to sacrifice, not their own
rights, but the rights Of the slavehoding States.
What a sublime spectacle is this, aud what lesson
does a history Of the Democratic party teach
That is one side. Now look at the other Eight
members Of Congress, elected by the know nothings
from the South voted with these twenty five North
ern democrats against the admission Of Kansas
They vOtedagainst the admission of Kansas, knowing
that the opposition to that measure was based upon
a determination to admit slave States. They
we're Southern men, educated in Southern sch ools,
reared amid Southern institutions, and representing
Southern constituencies. There is nothing to be
said in mitigation Of their offence. They sinned
against light and knowledge. There are no North
ern know nohngs 70 exhibit their patriotic devotion
to the rights Of the States by eKpelling these
from their organic lGon but what do Southern know
nothings? We're Crttenden, and Marshall, and
Underwood xpelled from the councils Of the order
in Kentucky? Does the Journal or Observer and
Reporter, Eagle denounce their perhdy and declare
them unworthy 70 associate with the faithful Not
a bit of il. Their course is commended, their
speeches repubishsd and euIogised and their votes
defended An outrage upon the rights of the South
States for which Northern democrats expelled
from the party by their associates, is only Ole
rated in Kentucky know nothings, but is warmly
sustained by their brethren. This is the difference.
Think Of it.