Des Arc citizen., 1859-04-22
PEN AND SCISSORS.


 Our Democratic exchanges are still discussing the propriety of making the de- mand of Southern Senators for Congress sional protection in the Territories, test of party fealty. Upon this subject the Memphis Appeal holds the following lan- guage:
 Again The people of the South are not so absurd as to exhaust their energies in pursuit of an impossbility. With an adverse maiori- ty Tn Congress, they perceive the impractica- bllity of protective legislation for slavery in the territories. If they ask for bread, they will be given stone. If they demand inter- vention, they will get it--with vengeance. If they invoke the aid of Federal legislation, they will contract an alliance most fatal to their interests. The jurisdiction of Congress being admitted, the overwhelming majority of Northern representatives will employ it for the restriction and suppression of slavery in the Territories. Seward will eagerly avail himself of the indscreet concession to pro- cure repeal of the pro-slavery statutes in New Mexico and the advantage will be pursu- cd, till slavery will be swept from every spot within the jurisdiction of the Federal Gov ernment.
 The people of the South are incapable of the folly implied in the advocacy of Congress sional intervention. The Democracy, espe- cially, will never commit themselves to pol- cy so fatal to the interests of the South, to the unity ot he party, and to the existence of the Republic.
 - The Washington HateS one of the most reliable State Rights journals in the Union, in an article endeavoring 10 account for the defeat of the Democracy h Connecticut, uses he following lan- guage upon the same subject
 The northern Democracy already staggered under the weight of their services to the South, the support of the fugitive slave law, the re- peal of the Missouri restriction these and other equivalent aifronts to the Abolition sem ttment of their section, had reduced them to a miserable minority. Nevertheless, they fought on with invincible resolution and infexble fidelity to the Notwithstanding to endure present contumely and defeat, in expectation or the ultimate triumph of truth and reason.
 In this critical contingency they are appall- ed by demand for still further and still more embarrassing concessions. It is not enough that they should sanction slavery in it's most objectionable aspect. by aiding in the recap | tnre of the fugitive negro--it Is not enough that they should admit slavery into the Terri tories under cover of the Constitution--itis is u0- eHou-u tu1t tAef SHoutt consent to reverse the traditional policy of the Government and to accept the iilimitable extension of southern iastihitiOas-itis is not enough that they should l fstter the arm of Congress. hitherto so active | and efficient in the restriction of slavery, and evoke the dormant energies of the judiciary for | its protection in the federal domain--all these | things, and more besides. the northern De- | moeracy have yielded but their southern as- soclates are not yet content. THEY MUST | AGREE TO EMPLOY THE POWER or THE Gov EMINENT F0R THE PROPAGATION OF SLAVERY. | It Is condition they cannot accept It is an exactIol for which they were not prepared | alter the solemn recognition Of NoN-TNTER- | YEsTIoS, among the fundamental principles | Of the party. What wonder if the northern | Democracy now surrender in despair?
 While we adhere 10 the declara- lion made by ns some weeks since, that the Southern Democracy could not SUD- port the nominee of the Charleston Con- vention. except upon the express condi- tion of a repudiaiion of sqaater soger- eignty, yet consistently, with what we be- liege 10 be the best interests of the South | and of the Democratic party, we can not join the general chorus in making this l demand Of our northern brethren. IL would |
  completely denalionalize tbe Democratic party, and render it powerless for resist 1 ing sectionalism in 1860. Independen, of the serious schism il would occasion in the ranks of the only party possessing sufficient nationality 10 resist Black Re- pubIicanism, il would be exhausiing the energiesof the South ia pursuit of an iin- possibility. To demand congressional slave code for our protection in the terri tories would in no wise have the effect ot | placing our defence upon the strongest possible guarantee. While in law and in poin. of fact, there would be wide diher- ence between congressional protection and congressional prohibition yet the pub lie mind at the North could not, with it's natural prejudices against us, be brought to see il and it would only establish pre- cedenl which a sectional majority would | PsneTt 10 oar damage ai some future lime.