The Kanzas news., 1858-05-15
The Republican Party Increasing.

No sensible Republican whose faith in the
intelligence of the people has not, by the
events of the last four years, been entirely
uprooted, has ever doubted that the day
would come in which the old policy of the
country In the treatment of the question of
slavery would be restored. The growth of
Calhounism and of its collateral, the Doug
las humbug, Squatter Sovereignty. was sud
den and alarming; but the inherent wicked
ness of the one, and the utter absurdlty of
the other, when reduced to practice, were
so manifest that the reaction against them
comes earlier and more forcibly than any
had reason to expect. Calhounism has its
refuge yet in the Supreme Court, where it
win remain until that tribunal can be re-
organized en- a less sectional basis; but
Squatter Sovereignty, being unprotected by
death in the house of its friends. The Crit
tenden amendment is the coffin in which it
will be buried.
1t was too much to hope, four years ago.
when, after Mr.. Douglas was brought 10
bed of the Kanzas- Nebraska bill, there was
such rejoicing over the new born ''princi-
ple' which was hereafter to quiet agitation
and destroy sectionalism, that those who
were then loudest in their professions of al
legianee to it, would be the first of the be-
levers TO rebel. But such they are, and
the column of rebels is headed by Mr..
Douglas himself. They have abandoned
the absurd dogma over which they were
lately shouting hosannas; and have plant
ed themselves fairly and squarely on that
plank of the Republican platform which
teaches and justifes Congressional interven
ton in Territorial affairs. The Republican
party will accept the homage which they pay
to the wisdom of its principles, and, we
doubt not, hope that they may in their own
good time, embrace the other articles of the
old and pure Democratic faith. The ne
cessity and right of Intervention being once
acknowledged, the necessity and right of
intervention in favor of freedom naturally
follows in all Northern and freedom-loving
minds. The Republican party is increasing.
This doctrine of the power of Congress
over the affairs of the Territories is the
foundation on which the superstructure is
built. Without it the party would have no
bond of unity, no basis of action, no pur
pose that could be accomplished. That
three Democratic and two American SEN
ators, and twenty-five Democratic and six
4eCpiOoCuISaGlfOS, at LulS
juncture, abandon the camp of the enemy,
and come over to do battle in behalf of the
principle which Republicans have made
their corner stone, is in fact not only sig
nifcant of future triumphs, but of the eter-
nal justice of that for which Republicans
contend. But these are not all the access
ions. The people whose interest in politics
is that justice may be done and freedom be
extended, are heartily tired of the din and
confusion. the never-ending strife and tur-
moil, which the devices of the propaganda
have introduced. They will be glad to go
back to the old landmarks that guided the
Republic in its earlier days, in times of
trial and peril, when Freedom. not slavery,
was the great national blessing to be pro-
noted. They have had enough of modern
inventions, latter-day quackeries, excuses
for serving despotism in the name of Liber-
ty, apologies for doing in roundabout
way what cannot be openly done. This af-
6rmation of the Crittenden amendment,
which is triumph, pure and simple, of the
Republican idea of the relation of the Ter
ritories to Congress, will guide them to-
ward that Republican refuge which so ma
ny thousands are ready to accept. There
is room for all who will come. Freedoms
ranks are never full. Come on Chicago
Tribune.