Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1859-07-06
Douglas and the Presidency.
WAsnINGroN. Lnne p. n

WAsuINGToN, June %, 1859.
Ny DEAR SIR:-I have received your
letter, inquiring whether my friends are
at liberty to present my name to the
Charleston Convention for the Presiden-
t;al nomination.
Before this question be finally deter-
mined, it will be necessary to understand
distinctly upon what issues the canvass is
to he conducted. If las | have full faith
they will the Democratic party shall de-
lermine in the Presidential election of
1860 to adhere to the principles embodl-
ed in the Compromise measures OF 1890,
and ratified by the people into the Presi-
dental election Of 1852, and re-ailirmed
IN the Kansas Nebraska act Of 1854, and
incorporated into the Cincinnati platform
Of lS56-as expounded by Mr.. Buchanan
in his letter accepting the nomination,
and approved by the people in his cleo
tion-in that event, my friends will be
at liberty to present my name TO the Con-
-ention, if they see proper TO do so.
Ii, on the contrary it shall become the
policy of the Democratic party (which ]
cannot anticipate toregudiate these time
hono.ed principles, on which we have
achieved so many patriotic triumphs and
in lieu of them the Convention shall in
terpolate into the creed of the party such
new issues as the revival of the African
slave trade, or a Congressional slave code
ior the Territories, or the doctrine that
the Constitution OF the United States eth
or establishes or prohibits slavery in the
Territories. beyond the power of the peo-
II 10 tYcl, fl,os
it is due to candor, to say, that, in such
an event, could not accept the nomina-
tion if rendered to me.
Trusting that this answer will be deem
ed sufficiently explicit, am. very res
pectfully, your friend, s. A. DoUGLAs.
To j. B. DoRR, Esq, Dubuque, Iowa.
We do no not care to notice at great
length the foregoing letter Of Judge DoUG-
LAS. In the main, so far as history, facts
and principles are concerned, we concur
in its contents, and only regret that we
cannot giveit an unqualified endorsement.
But we are unable to see what the Juge
means by laying it down as a condition
precedent to his acceptance Of the Presi-
dental nomination, that the Democratic
party shall not "interpolate into its creed"
"tho doctrine that The Constitution Qf ijc Uni
ted SAFES, either establishes or prohibits slaray
IN the territories, beyond the po0cr Of the people
legally 70 control il as other property" In
all fairness we must regard this as most
extraordinary proposition. When did the
Democratic party attempt to fix a doc
trine for the constitution? Why should
the Judge have originated this new and
singular idea? We have yet to learn that
the Democratic party intend undertaking
TO establish any doctrine for the constitu-
ton having always understood, and act
cd upon the belief. that they accept it as
il is; leaving its definition, in all disputed
cases to the judiciary, and that is precise
ly what Judge DoUGLAs contended for in
the case of Kansas and Nebraska. That
favorite measure of his declared that the
people should be Subject only to the
constitution" on all questions touching
their domestic affairs, slavery included
and times without number he has declar
ed that the extent Of the authority of The
people under that act could not be de
termined by Congress, but must be re
ferred to the judiciary. Does he nov
mean to say that the Democratic part,
may determine the effect of the constitu
ton on this point, and if that doctrine
does not suit him, he will not accept th'
nomination What would he say, shoulC
the Supreme Courl expouud the constitu
ton one way and the Democratic Con
yention another. We take it to be th
essence of the Democratic faith, to whicl
we believe the Convention at Charleston
will adhere that Congress shall hereafter
as in the case of Kansas and Nebraska
confer upon the people and their loca
legislature, the utmost degree Of contro
over the subject Of slavery in the Terrific
ries, which the constitution will permit
the measure of the authority so delegated
to be ascertained by the Judiciary in an,
.and all disputed eases; and in addition