The Nevada Democrat., 1859-06-08
.v.,.. crom the Custom House.

Collector b. F. Washington has written let
ter. addressed to one J. H. Harralson, in which
he ciyes his opinion as to the proper course
which the Administration State Convention
should pursue iu regard TO the question OF nom
intervention. The Collector processes to hold
to the doctrine Of nonintervention, but his
opinions are so qualified that he can at any fu-
ture time advocate the policy of Intervention
without appearing Inconsistent. Asa specimen
of non.committalism, the letter would have done
credit to Martin Van Buren 10 his palmy days.
In 1856. when Mr.. Washington was stumping
the State for Buchanan, he was in favor Of pop
ular sovereignty. because IL was right and prop
er that the people Of the Territories, the same
an those of State, should manage their own
affairs and establish their own institutions. He
now advocates the same doctrine, but for diff
ferent ressen-beeaase Intervention by Con-
gress is not necessary at present. 1t is evident
however, that should the South demand the en-
aetment of q slave code by Congress for any Of
the Territories, that Mr.. Washington would IA
vor the measure, for he would then see that it
had become necessary.
The Collector argues that Territorial Leg
islature has no right to exclude slavery. In
this respect he differs from what was taught as
good Democracy in 1856, and what the people
we're then given to understand was the Demo-
cratic creed. 1t is probable, however, that the
Supreme Court, as at present organized, would
decide, should the question be brought before
them, that Territorial Legislature could not
exclude slavery, and declare void any laws to
that effect If such decision should ever be
made, it would be obeyed by the people, but
would never be respected as sound law. The
people Of the United States are not apt to pay
much attention to decisions of the Supreme
Court, when the Judges attempt to settle polit-
cal questions Chief Justice Marshall once
decided that Congress had the power to charter
q. S. Bank. The Democratic party contend
ed that the decision was wrong. and took meas
ures to re.organize the judiciary in order to
have It reversed If necessary. The same course
would be pursued again, should the Supreme
Court attempt to settle political questions in
contravention Of the popular will.
Mr. Washington finally advises the Lecomp-
ton Convention to ignore the whole question Of
Intervention. This is singular advice for man
protesting Democracy to give the members of
bis party. The policy of ignoring living ques-
tions was pursued by the old Federal and Wbig
parties, until those parties were pursued out of
existence by the Progressive Democracy and
as Lecomptonsm is but an off-shoot Of Federal
ism, we shall not be surprised II Mr.. Washing
toms advice is followed.
In the history of parties, the Democracy have
never failed to take position upon all politi-
cal questions agitating the public mind, and
upon all proper occasions have had the courage
to avow their principles. We have no fears
but that the Democratic Convention, which as
sembles in Sacramento one week from to-day
will re-iterate, in language not to be mistaken,
the true Democratic doctrine of "Non-interven-
tion by Congress with slavery in the States and
| Territories"