Nebraska advertiser., 1858-02-04
Rro,annizs. Jan. 80. 1858.


Mn. EDrToR:-
Some weeks ago / availed myself of
the privilege of expressing my sentiments
or feelings touching an organization Of
the Democratic Party in our Territory.
1 also took he liberty of asserting that |
did not for moment entertain the idea
of any good democrat hesitating in Civ
ing a cheerful and hearty approval Of the
movement. | now reiterate and proclaim
a similar assertion; regardless of the pitt
less marmurings of AbolitiOnists inside
or oat Of Nebraska. / do boldly and
feprlessly say that pOItrue and unadulter-
ated democrat can or will offer n word
demonstrative Of opposition, in any shape
or form, to the c6nsumation Of this object.
Nor had | at the time Of writing the
aforesaid expression Of my feelings, the
remotest idea of drawing any one into
controversy except those of the democra-
tic faith. l cared not, nor do / 10 care,
anything for the political sentiments of
any Editor, or set of Editors, or men
here, or elsewhere. | am far from spin
ing my political faith' to the coat-tail or
c~oat-sleeye of any particular man.
principles and not men, IS and has
ever been the maxim of our party.
Having advanced a favorable opinion
as to the democratic party taking prelimi-
nary steps towards an organization, l met
Cor rather my a%rticle) with opposing
views from the Editor Of the Nemaha
Journal. This gentleman thought it
would suit his case a little better by
excepting dark" 'laying low" so that he
might find out which waythe "wind'' was
going TO blow. l thought when reading
over his response that he was not what
he protested to be, and now find my first
impression correct and fully confirmed.
Although he informs US of the distin-
guished honor Of a Especial invitation to
attend the Democratic Convention at
Omaha on III I8th of January, and that
he would have graced that Convention
with his presence had he had the "ready-
john Now does it not seem strange
that a man known to cherish sentiments
incompatible with every movement of the
democrats and still would have taken part
with themin a convention for the purpose
of organizing the party? Is this consis-
tency ? Can a man be a democrat of the
"pure grit" "double-distilled," and
"dyed in the WOOL" whose lips or pen
emanate the most foul and unqualified
abuse of the great principles Of the par
ty and their time-honored opponents?
The position of the democratic party
upon its all-absorbing and distracting sub
ject of megrO-Slauery is too well known for
me to enter into a lengthy dissertation on
the subject. A perusal of the Platform
adopted by the Cincinnati Democratic
Convention in 1856, will show that the
institution Of slavery is regarded by
the democratic party as susceptible
of being settled by the people; that
the people of the respective States or Ter
r%itories should have the in~disputable right
of regulating their own local affairs to
suit themselves. And when this doctrine
is fairly and impartially carried out
without interference by Southern or
Northern %extraneous influence, / pretend
to say it is the doctrine Of all republican
governments. nations or countries, ex-
tant. For heaven sake, are not the citi-
zens Of our States or Territories capable
of knowing what particular form of gov
eminent will suit, without being dictated
to by Massachusetts, Missouri, or the
Congress of the United States? l think
the conclusion that they are fully compe-
tent SO to do is quite rational. Would it
not appear equally absurd and arrogant
for Congress to say to Nebraska, you
shall or you shall not have the institution
Of slavery? Would any sensible man
think either nj Of these dictations in con-
formity with the spirit of a democratic,
republican government +? No, my friends.
Not one of you could give your consent
to such a tyrannical, usurping procedure.
Then why not content yourselves when
the privilege is granted you to ''vote
down. or ''vote up the institution as it
may best suit you 1t is not the object of
the Kansas and Nebraska Act to force
slavery into nor ont of our Territories,
but to leave the adjustment of that ques-
ton, as well as all others of a domestic
character, to the free and untrammelled
expression of the will of the people
This is a sacred and endearing principle
destined to outlive all its traducers and
vilifiers, and to be still triumphant, as it