The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-19

|
ter sovereignty, the loss Of Kansas to the South,
the consequent chagrin of Southern politicians,
the PROSTATE condition of the Northern demo-
crazy, the impatient ambition of rival demo-
cratic candidates for the succession, and other
causes, have all operated to make in 1859 the
Charleston platform upon this question of
slavery in the Territories the issue upon which
the national democratic party in 1860 is to be
harmonized for one more general battle or finally
broken to pieces
Heretofore the party platform has been mere
matter of routine, string of high-sounding alb
stractions and glittering generalites," adapted
| ingeniously TO Northern and Southern inter-
probation upon all dangerous sectional issues !;
but the significant consequences of the Cincin-
natl platform of popular sovereignty" have at
last brought the Northern Douglas democracy
and the Southern democracy face to face The
Southern democracy cry out" Your popular
/ sovereignty has made fools Of us in our useless
contest for Kansas against your Northern emf
grant aid societies. Under the same organic
law there is no chance for us in any other Ter
ritory, for we cannot hope to compete with your
swsruing hordes of adventurers Our coloniz-
ing movements in behalf Of slavery must be
| slow, as we have but few slaves to spare in this
way and we therefore demand our rights under
| the bred Scott decision, including, when neces.
sary, the Intervention of Congress for the pro-
lection of our slave property in the Territories
against the 'unfriendly local legislation Of your
Northern squatters."
Governor Wise, as the representative Of the
Virginia and Southern democracy generally,
holds this ground as Presidential candidate,
and demands that the Charleston Convention
shall, in its platform, recognise the power and
the duty Of Congress to interpose, If required,
for the protection of slave property in the Terri
tories, against any unfriendly" legislative or
municipal acts of the local authorities. But Mr..
Douglas, in behalf Of the Northern democracy
who have followed his fortunes upon this issue,
says No, no, never! Popular sovereignty, or
squatter sovereignty, if you please, is our ulti-
matum. The Northern democracy, all but
destroyed even upon this doctrine, can go no
further. Tie Charleston Convention. must con-
code to the people of a Territory, IS to the peo-
pie of State, the right to regulate their do
mestic institutions in their own way or there
will be an end to the party as national ofgani-
cation Do you hear us?S
OF course there can be 10 satisfactory decision
upon either horn OF this dilemma. Let the Con-
vention adopt the platform of Govsrnor Wise,
and the Northern Douglas democracy will secede
from the Convention, az will the Southern de-
mocra3y should the platform of Douglas prevail
But ia there "po half way diplomatic house Of
rest?" We answer, there is this way Of escape:
The intermediate policy Of the adrainistraSon
covers the ground, and the only available
ground Of a satisfactory compromise. The
platform of Mr.. Buchanan as we understand
it, is non intervention on the Fart Of Con
gress and the Territories in reference to slavery
Hands off until the Convention shall meet
charged with the duty Of framing State con-
stitutiop: but such convention shall have sove-
reign jurisdiction over the question: either for or
against the establishment Of slavery. In the
meantime, should any complaints arise from the
slayeholdiDg settlers in reference to their slave
property, and against the proceedings of the
local authorities, the issue shall be left to the
decision of the Supreme Court of the United
States, and the decision thus invoked shall be
binding and conclusive.
Ard why not? The whole trouble upon this
matter is the question Of jurisdiction Mr. Dou-
! glas contends that the bred Scott decision does
! not and cannot reach tie sovereignty Of the ter
ritorial people over their domestic affairs, in.
Guiding their municipal regulations, taxes, &C.,
Of all sorts of property, lands, houses, horses.
cattle, groceries, liquors, niggers and all. Thus
if the Territorial Legislature chooses to put a
tax Of fifty OF five hundred dollars year upon a
slave there is no "higher law" to prevent it. On
the other hand, Southern men say that the Dred
Scott decision not only freely admits the slave
holder and bis slaves into the Territories, but re
quites the local authorities to protect this pecu
liar property, and requires Congress to protec
It, when the Territorial authorities may prove re
miss. The question Of jurisdiction thus remain
unsettled, and why not leave the matter TO ;
definite decision Of the Supreme Court upon tht
, first pertinent case that may arise?
! In any event, between Wise aud Douglas Their
? is no otner basis of accommodation upon thi
t subject than that comprehended in this platform
t of the administration Mr.. Buchanan is not
t candidate for second term. The family lar
of the democracy upon niggers, the spoils, an
: everything else, have rendered him rather anz
ious to get out Of the White House than to b
elected to another term of four years Of the TOT
lures of that inquisiticn. But still, the peace
! the Union being involved in the preservation
the democracy as national party, we are conf
dent that the interposition of the administrative
g will be felt at Charleston against the extrem
: antagonistic positions of Wise and Douglas.
:, Perhaps the good couisels of the administrs
!. ton thus interposed may be overruled by th
), elements of faction, discord and revolution; bu
e still the party may be saved by the return c
itur nI,oll, L. L.