Daily national Democrat., 1859-10-13
The Lines are Drawn.

The Lines are Drawn.
Judge Black, speaking for the Administra'
tion Of james Buchanan and the Leeompton
party. has attacked the popular Sovereignty
doctrine Of Stephen A. Douglas, in lengthy
reply in the New York Herald to the article
Of Mr.. Douglas in IIarprr's Magazine, on the
subject Of "The Dividing Line between FEEDER.
al and Local Authority" For fear that it
might be supposed that he did uot express
the views of the President, he expressly de-
clares that Mr.. Buchanan is opposed to the
positions taken by Mr. Douglas
The argument used by Judge Black against
the right of the people to govern themselves
l. just such pitiful pe,ifogging argument as
that contained in the Presidents special mes
sage to Congress recommending the endorse
ment of the Lecompton Constitution. We
shall not waste the time Of our readers in dis
cussing the ground gone over by this ready
expounder Of Lecomptonism, for the exposi-
tion by Mr.. Douglas in IIarpers Magazine
has literally exhausted the subject, and the
reply of Judge Black is not worthy the name.
At some future time, we may present in brief
the views elaborated by Mr.. Douglas in or
der to refresh the minds of our readers upon
the subject. but we refer to the reply of
Judge Black now, in order to remind the
people how grossly they have been deceived
by the Lecompton press and stumpers of this
State, when they were made to believe that
the differences between Douglas and the Ad-
ministration were at an end, and that Doug
las was now warm supporter of the Ad
ministration.
By this Black manifesto, which is fully en-
dorsed by the Administration. it appears be
yond all question, that the difference of opin-
ion between Mr.. Douglas and the existing
Administration is broad and deep There
can be no longer any doubt upon the sub
ject; the lines are drawn, and sides must be
taken. The Express is of course for Black
and the Administration So is its pet Dan'l
5. Dickinson, of New York. AS for u.s. we
are for Stephen A. Douglas and the great
Democratic doctrine for which he contends
Popular Sovereignty, the right of the people
to govern themselves. Let the Lecompton-
ties of this region go with the Express and
Buchanan and Dickinson and Black and
other would.be re, ivalists of Federalism, but
let the true friends of self government, the
true friends of popular rights, the rights for
which the Revolution was fought, stand by
the NATIONAL DEMocRAT,-as feeble an ex-
ronent of their views as it may be-so long
as it remains true TO the great cause which it
has espoused
Remember that the doctrine of Stephen A
Douglas, and of the Old Line Democracy, is
as follows, in the words in which he himself
has expressed it:
"Ihe principle he says "under our politi-
cal system, is, that every distinct political
community. loyal to the Constitution and the
Union, is entitled to all the rights, privileges
and immunities Of self government, in respect
to their local concerns and internal polity.
subject only to the Constitution of the United
States"
This political community" exists where
there are inhabitants sufficient TO constitute
Government Wherever Territorial G Gov
ernment is established, this political COM
munity'' exists, and the right of self govern
ment, subject alone to the Constitution, APP
pertains to its character. 1t has full contro
over all its municipal affairs. under the con
stituional Limitation prescribed. This prop.
osiIion is denied hy Black Dickinson, Bueh.
nnan and the California Express C), who con
tend that Congress should protect and main
tain, or in other words establish, slavery in
the midst of an organized political communi-
ty, in direct eontravention of the will of the
people. The doctrine of these haters of Mr..
Donglas is the very quintessence of despot-
Ism. 1t strikes at the very root of popul r
liberty, and there is no fnessing out oft