Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-12-25

to judicial decision, by which, it is need
less to say, the Democratic party always
abides. The preference of our people
doubtless was for squatter sovereignty
We believed it the more cxpcdicnt ant
equitable mode of settling the question
of slavery in the Territories. We woulc
most of us have been gratifed had the Su
preme Court of the United States rccog
nizcd the legality of sqnatter sovereign
t ty, yet even here in Indiana there were
those who denied it, and favored;State
equality. The Dred Scott decision has
settled that question. That decision
has been sustained and accepted by the
Democratic party everywhere. It is not
in conflict with the Cincinnati platform.
1t will doubtless be approved by the
Charleston Convention. Let me remind
you of the resolution adopted by our
State convention of the Sth of January
last, resolution which no one opposed
not even those shining lights that are
now subsiding into Rcpublicanism, "as
kindred drops are mingled into onc." 1t
lis the unanimous voice of the Democra-
cy of Indiana, expressed in plain and
vigorous language:
7. Resolved, That, in the late decis-
ion of the Supreme Court of the United
States, known as the Dred Scott decis-
ion, we recognize legal exposition of
the doctrines of the Constitution of the
United States and of the State of India
ma, and we hereby denounce and hold
up to the universal execration and scorn
of all loyal American citizens the loath-
some doctrine of negro equality" now
sustained and endorsed by the so-called
Republican party of Indiana, as natu-
raj and inevitable consequence of their
to the decision Of the Supreme
Court above named.
The Dred Scott decision disposes of
the question of slavery in the Terrific
ries forever, if faithfully adhered to, and
is national platform founded in justice,
upon which the Democratic party Of the
whole Union can nsstand with an unbrok-
en- front.
AS to the admission Of slave States
INTO the Union, the Republicans profess
noW to be divided among themselves
We are united; we adhere to our doc
,rine, and they may come in when, in
he language of the Cincinnati platform
they have sufficient population" with
'r without slavery, as their respective
Constitutions. may prescribe.
The Kansas question: temporary
ssue-is settled by the English bill, in
conformity with the principle as to popu-
alton laid down in the Cincinnati plat
orm, and, let me add, in the Fillmore
platform, too. j
It is well known to you that / voted
or that bill. 1t is scarcely necessary
0 add that approved it. | defended
|, population clause and all, in my late
anvass, and / intend to stand by it.
have seen it charged in Southern
ewspapers, and in the speeches of
outhern men, who ought to have known
etter, that the Northern Democratic
representatives had deserted the Eng
sh bill. It may be true as to some; it
} not true as to ALL 1t is notoriously
ntrue as to myself 1t is Just as far
.om being true as the letters Of certain
istinguished Southern Democrats upon
illinois politics, recently published, are
'om being either wise or wcll-timcd. I
N very free to declare my opinion that
hose letters were in very bad taste
low. what ground shall we, as party
, Indiana, occupy on the slavery ques-
ION in future? Shall we SO forward or
o back? We will soon be called on to
nfurl our flag for the great battle of
$50. | say, let us stand BY the Dred
colt decision-let US stand by the En-
lish bill.
have witnessed with regret, indica-
ions Of a purpose to keep enough Of the
lavery question open and in doubt to
crve as a pretext for agitation and
,akc an issue for clectioncerino nnrno-