Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-12-09


eating. / was then thirty years old
Years have since passed away. and
my 70 w is still rnbroken.
Es- Wa have had the following
extract from the Richmond Enquirer,
the leading organ OF Mr. Buchanan in
the United States, ani whose editor
was chief Secretary Of the Cincinnati
Convention. on our table some days.
1t is fair. fall, and unoQuiyecal dec
laration of the purposes OF the Bach
anan party. We commend it to the
notice of the Sentinel.
The True Issue.
The Democrats in the South in the
pressnt canvass can not rely on the old
grounds Of defence anil excuse for
slavery; for they seek not merely 10
retain il schers 1, is, but TO e1tepd Il into
regions uhere il Is unknowa Much
less can they rely on the mere constitu-
tional guarantees Of siapsry for such
reliance is pregnant with the admis-
sion that slavery is wrong and but for
the. constitution should be abolished.
This constitutional argument for
slavery, standing alone, fully justifics
the abolitionists. They are clearly
right If slavery he morally wrong, for
to get rid of it under tho constitution,
or by amending the constitution, is
confessedly impracticable.
In truth, the constitution can not
help slavery, if it be violation of the
laws of God and morality. In that
case the constitution should be changed,
or the free States should secelc, rath-
er than continue to guaranty what
they consider immoral and profanc.--
The constitution can not help slavery
| for another reason. That institution
extending through fifteen States. and
in terramified with the interests, the
feelings. and the very existence of
many millions of men, is much
stronger than the constitution. II
would be far easier to change or vio-
late the constitution, than to abolish
slavery. Besides slavery is older
than the constitution-existed before
tit, and independently Of it. We
derive no right to our slaves from it
and weaken our cause by seeming to
rely on it.
Nor will it avail us aught to show
that the negro is most happy and best
situated in the condition of Slavery
If we stop there. we weaken our cause
| by the very argument intended to al
vance it; for we propose to introduce
into new territory human beings whom
we assert to be unfit for liberty. sci
government. and equal association
with other men. We must go stey
further. We must show that African
slavery is a moral, religious, natural
. and probably. in the general, a neces
| sary institution of society. This il
; the only line Of argument that vii
enable southern democrats to naiatair
the doctrines of state equality am
slavery extension.
For if Slavery be not legitimate
useful, moral, and eYpedient instiru
ton, we can not without reproof 0
: conscience and blush Of shame, seel
to extend it, or assert our equalit,
; with those States having no sucl
institution.
Northern Democrats neel not q
thus far. They do not seek to extern
slavery, but only agree to its extension
: as matter Of right on our part
> They may prefer their own socia
System to ours. Il is best that the
should. Our friends are conservative
at home and conservatives of til
= Union-conservatiyes of religion, c
marriage, Of properey. of State inst
tutions, and of federal institution
{, But whilst they may prefer their ow
social system, they will have to adm
in this canvass that ours is also right
e ful and legitimate, and sanctione
d alike by the opinions and usages {
manklnd. and by the authority an
cvPlisit injunctions of Scripture
They can not consistently mantai
' that slavery is immoral, inexpedier
and profane. and yet continue I
submit to its extension.
: We know that we utter bold truth
> But the time has now arrived whe
. their utterance can be no longer pos
: poned. The true issue should stan
ous SO boldly and clearly that nor
Q may mistake It,
I. E Upwards of ten millions
?. dollars have been lost at sea. by steam