Daily national Democrat., 1859-11-04


when n majority Of any body can be defeated
by one third 1t was unfortunate for the
country that Mr.. Van Buren, published his
letter against the annexation Of Texas, after
u majority Of the delegates favorable to him
had been elected and the Democracy was
compelled to do a little wrong for a grent
good There was no doubt that both Mr..
Clay and MIR. Van Buren, were induced by
pretended friends, or rather short sighted
friends, to write those anti Texas letters, con
trary to the wishes of the majority Of the
people of all political parties. The spirit of
our people is for the acquisition of land-a
nation of Gland swalowers," as we have
been sneeringly called.
know that Mr. Clay found out his error
before he reached Washington aud he learn
ed, too late, that whatever the politicians
light say, the people were all for the dirty
res'-TeXas, Cuba. California, New Mexico
and Oregon, up to 81 40 or fight.
There is no important question before the
country which is likely to divide the Democ
racy; and if the people will instruct their
members to the Charleston Convention to
vote for the man upon whom the public eye
is fixed with or without the two thirds rule,
the preference, to day, is as certainly express
ed and sure as any possible future event Ii
that convention is composed, as it ought to
be- of delegates sent to express the wishes of
the Democracy, instead OF trading politicians,
its labors will be very simple, its duration
short its action harmonious, and its result II
fixed fact l trust that no new plank will
be put into the platform no more opening
of the slave trade; no attempt to give to
Congress jurisdiction of the slavery question.
That is double edged sword, and If put
into the hands Of the majority, it may not be
used for protection, but for destruction. Give
us pure Democracy. Statesrights and non
| Intervention in everything that does not
clearly belong to Congress, and give the peO
ple of the States and Territories the benefit
of all doubtful questions, upon the broad and
equitable principle that every man under
stands is own interest much better than his
neighbor hundreds and thousands Of miles
of.
Whatever issue may be made up in the
North, East, or West, and whatever notices
NAV be inscribed on their banners, we, of
the South, will have TO choose between Sew
ard, Abolitionist, with Congressional Juris-
| dction, or Slavery and Douglas, non inter
vention by Congress, with the people to de-
eide
Mr.. Morse talks like a sensible man.
1t seems to us as clear as day, that Douglas
is the only man who can thoroughly unite
the Democracy of this Nation in such man.
ner as to defeat the Republican candidate in
the great contest of 1860 Even the leading
organ of the Republican Party in the Union,
the New Y York Tribune, while predicting that
Douglas will not be the nominee of the
Charleston Convention emphatically declares
that he is the only man who can defeat VIM
II. Seward for the Prcsideney-the only mar
who can carry with him the Northern De
Democracy. Remarking upon the comment
Of the New York Tribune, the New Orleans
Crescent adds:
"Siace the Presidential election of 1856
! the Administration, or national" Democra-
cy, has been completely overwhelmed il
| Pennsylvania, and the government of the
State, in all its various branches, is now in
the hands of the Black Republicans. In
their hands it is likely to remain. Should
Senator Douglas receive the Charleston nom
! nation, it is possible he may retrieve affairs
and carry the Keystone State. If noe, we
regard itas sure for Seward. Last year Hi
nois would have gone in favor Of the Free
soilers hut for the herculean efforts of Doug
las. If he is not a candidate, the chances arr
about ninety-nine ont Of hundred that il
/ will vote for the nominee of the Black Re-
| puhlcans in November, 1860. Minnesota
Oregon and Kansas, are sure for Seward
which, without counting New Jersey, Califor
MIA and lndiana-in which States the Free
soilers enjoy first rate chances-elect him
or whoever may be nominated, with eighr
votes to spare
This is anything but 1atterng caleula-
tiln, but it is, nevertheless. very probabl,
calculation. And to it might very reasona.
bly, have been added the three electoral vote
of nominaly Slave State Deeware Tn
Black Republicans will make a powerful ef
fort in Maryland and Missouri, but we thin
those States may be relied on in the comm
struggle
In view Of these facts, it seems to us
matter Of vital interest with the Democrac
to nominate Stephen A. Douglas. AS far a
eXpediency is concerned there can be n
doubt as to the propriety and policy of hi
nomination. And as to the question of prin
ciple, there is no doubt that he stands upon tn
broadest of Democratic doctrines No maj
in the Union is more thoroughly ideutifie,
with the great Democratic principle whic
allows majorities to rule, and when MAORI
ties rule, the country is safe.
The objections which have been urge
against the doctrines Of Senator Douglas, b.
certain ultra Southern statesmen, is that h
Is IN favor Of squatter sovereignty, in th
sense in which they understand it,-that i
to say that he maintains the doctrine tina
unlimited control over private rights ma,
be exercised by Territorial Legislature s.
soon as the earliest settlements are made
E Judge Black charges .hat this is the positio,
t of Douglas; and many ignorant Democrat
think that it is true The charge is who'll,
false. Douglas maintains nothing Of III