The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-18

To THE Hon. SALMON P. CHASE, GovExSoR OF
OHIO:-
My DEAR SIR-Three months ago who would
have thought that Crttenden, Bell and few other
Southern Know Nothings could have put the whole
republican party, together with the democratic
backsders, over whom the republicans so hastily and
uselessly have glorifed much, into bag, like
many blind pups, with all necessary weights and
securities to insure the extinction of life Yet so
it is, strange as it may SEEM The labor of twenty
three years is abruptly and suddenly brought to
close In less than half hour the other day every
principle of the republican party was abandoned set
at nought, repudiated, and every one for which
the democratic party has contended from the begin
ming is recognized, with one exception. The Crit
tenden amendment, Montgomery substitute CO.
verify maintains that the national government is
lord paramount-possesses the right Of eminent do
main-is absolutely sovereign over our Territorial
p0ssessiOns-and can thereby prescribe terms and
conditions which shall enter into the constitution of
a new State rs well as the manner in which they
shall frame their constitution This constitutes the
only difference between the two parties as they now
stand. This however when correctly considered, is
vital point in the democratic creed. 1t is the doc
trine of the party, and the decision of the
Supreme Court fOm which the democracy
viii not recede, that the general govern
ment does not possess the right OF eminent
domain in our public ands-is only trustee by the
deeds of cession and the constitution of the Union.
But enough of this now. Let US look at the mani
fest and unconcealed features of the case.
The whole of the Montgomery substitute is con-
tanned in the few first lines of itall else is merely
directory and mandatory from Congress- abso.
lutte sovereign. The first section declares:-"That
the State of Kansas be- and is hereby admitted into
the Union on an equal footing with the original
States, in all respects whatsoever" 1t, however,
attaches condition precedent-that another cleo
ton shall be held, another vote taken-"inamuch
as it is greatly disputed whether the const.
tuition framed at Lecompton was fairly made
or expressed the will OF the people,"
Now had parcel of green politicians been caught
in this manner the thing might have been excus-
able; but for men of learning, philosophy and ex-
perience as statesmen to change front suddenly,
to abandon all their principles, earnestly con-
tended tor in both Houses of Congress up to the
fatal day, is matter of wonder and astonishment to
all outsiders. By this vote Of theirs what have they
done2 II is logic, it Is law it is common sense that
what is not denied is admitted and need not be
proved Republicans then, by this vote, have stul-
tilted themselves and their party in respect to all
they have said about the Kansas iniquity and the
Lecompton swinde. By voting for Kansas as a
slave state. under the Nebraska and Kansas act
Don't they acknowledge the justice and proprety of
the repeal Of the Missouri compromise the consti-
nationality and expediency Of the Kansas Territorial
organization the validity of all the acts Of all
previous Territorial Legislatures?-the legality of
the call for the Lecompton convention? and the
legal and political obligation to submit the consti.
tuition framed by that convention Do they not ad-
nit by this Montgomery and Crittenden concern the
moral legal and binding force Of all the test oaths-
the taking OF them as prerequisite to the right to
vote that they should and must swear to support
the Fugitive Slave law, and that they have been
engaged in the aid of runaway slaves or helping to
steal 'niggersf" These things enumerated all must
admit, none can deny. The thing was hastily done
vet efectualy that there appears to be no rene.
dy-no means Of preventing the dissolution of the
republican party.
Many men here see, as you and the enlightend
minds of the republicans of Ohio saw from the be-
ginning, that this thing would be ruinous. Some
growl, some imprudently and almost profanely ex.
press themselves. You have voted away all your
principles" says democrat to republican the
other day. mo, we haven't says the latter ''thc
main planks In platform are still left--opposi.
ton to heaven and the democratic party" This
kind Of profanity and nonsense will not however,
suit and satisfy the honest masses
IL may, however be said, that IL we have been
sold, the democratic party so far has been defeat
ed. Ilat we have brought the administration intoa
state of standstlism This, however, is poor conso-
lation. The party will soon rally and recover. They
will not yield they will stick with the utmost pertina.
city to their doctrine that the general government
enjoys not the right OF eminent do nain-is not gb
soiutely sovereign in the Territories-in no place
except here, over the ten miles square, and such
other territory as with the consent Of the States
the general government may acquire for forts arse
mails, dockyards, &c. This, democrats, you know
hold TO be the extent Of the constitution and they
will stick 20 IL. In the Territories the general gov.
eminent they hold to he no more than trustee
the sovereign power being in nubibus as the lawyers
would say, until the heir becomes OF age-until the
people have acquired numbers and other capacities
sufficient for the formation OF sovereign State.
This however. IL an extensive question and requires
close logic. cannot, therefore fully discuss IL now
but may hereafter call your attention TO il more in
detail There Is. my dear sir. presentiment kind
OF inspiration belonging TO all minds that think
and though not equal authority with that of the Book
cannot well be got rid Of II will often press itself
upon US, whether we will or no. For more than a
month ] have felt that some awful calamity was
about 70 befa the republican party. From the first
start Of the Union prayer meetings goodness and
mercy visible. Had the calamity which has
now overtaken the republican party happened to the
preachers and people who were previously 20 ear.
nestly engaged for the niggers and against the Pre-
sdent and the democratic party whilst their hearts
were unfortihed by grace, the consequences must
have been alarming-they must have died Their
thoughts now being In some degree directed heaven
ward they can meet and combat the ills Of life with
more composure.
know Of no better medium OF Communication
than that Of addressing you through neutral news
paper which all parties read. An OHroAs.
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