Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-14
The Issue Between the Southern and
the Northern Democraey.

ate of the United States, if urged and IN
sisted on by the distinguished leaders of the
Democratic party" involves the q" disintFgra-
tion ~ of the party. Il cbaracterizcs the issue
az false" and in"pp0riune." and even
gives an uncandid and incorrect statement OF
ito the manifest prejudice, as we Will snow
of the Southern Senators. 1t says, the Ter
ritOries have not, as yet, failed to give pro-
lection TO property, whenever there mas beeh
occasion for it," Now. before the discussion
took Mace. the Territorial Legislature OF Kan
sas had passed an act totally abolishing and
zrobibiting slavery in the Territory, which
fact was announced by Mr.. Green, one OF the
Senators from Missouri, in the course OF the
debate; yet in the teeth OF this fact, the AP-
,,.ay affirms that. as get, the Territorial Legs-
latnres have not failed to give protection 10
slaye property, whenever there has been oc-
cssion for it
Ignoring this fact. the appeal uncandidly
argues that. "if instead of appealing first to
The neople of the Territories, aud, in the
event of disappointment, then to the Supreme
Court for the establishment Of their rights,
the freemen of the South determine to MAKE
the issue in Congress. and call upon that BODY
10 intervene against the great constitutional
doctrine of non-interventiOn, then we, Qt,)
can see little hope Of harmony IN the Demo-
cratic ranks upon this issue Of security W
Southern rights" &c.
This is a most uncandid and incorrect state
,,ent of the issue presented by the Senator
from Mississippi, and places him and the
other Southern Democratic Senators, ~ho'
concurring in opinion with him, took the
Southern Democratic side OF the question: In
a false position. What. then, Ta' the Issue
presented by Mr.. Brown? In substance ana
A. near as possible, in his own language con
densed, it was this:
The right. affirmed by the Supreme Court
in the bred Scott case, of the STAKEHOLDER 10
take his slaves into the Territories, necessarl-
lvinvolves the right OF protection when there
I-nnn whom are we, Of the South, to call for
.ncb nrot, ctiou? According to the doctrine
~ uon-interyention our first call Ia upon the
territorial Legislature. If it refuse, what
then? Are we to abandon rights granted 10
us by the Constitution, as expoundcd oy the
Sunreme Court? No The territorial Legs
l,tnre is the creature of Congress, and II 1t
refuse it is the duty of Congress, the master.
TO provide by legislation for the need1ul pro-
tection. He Mr.. BROwN, in view OF the APP
proaching Presidential contest, wanted 10
know whether that protection, In the case
supposed, would be afforded by Congress.
He gave warning that if protection should
I've refused by the Legislature of Kansas Mr..
BRowy was not aware perhaps when speaking
of the abolition and prohibitory act ct the
Kansas Legislature he gave warning, that be
and his people would apply to Congress for
protection.
This was an element which must enter into
tho na,t Presidential contest. 1t could not
be kept out. Before we entered into the con-
test. therefore it was right and proper Tor all
who neither wanted TO cheat or to be cheated,
to know where they respectively stood on THIS
grave question. Turning to the Northern
Senators. he addressed them, in substance, as
follows: 1--WE have a right to protection for
our slave properly i'll the Territories, as decl-
ded by the Supreme Court. If the territorial
Legislature of Kansas, by non-lcglslauon OF
by unfriendly legislation, denies us this pro-
lection, we shall apply to Congress for II. In
{ at event, what will you, Northern Senators,
dos~ DOUGLAS, PUGH STUART and BRoDERIcK,
representing the Northern Democracy, replied
that, in no event would they consent to any
CONGRESSIONAL interierence-thcy would never
agree that even territorial enactment
Sbolshing and prohibiting slavery should be
Ia any manner int.rfered with by Congress.
On BKowSs side. and representing the
Southern Democracy. stood his colleague,
DAVIS, MASON aud HUNTER, of Virginia, CLAY,
of Alabama, and BENJAMIN, of Louisiana.
The northern Democratic Senators main
tanned that no Presidential candidate holding
the Southern Democratic doctrines on the
subject could possibly get the vote OF any
Northern State, while the Southern Dem
cratic Senators maintained, ON the other
hand, that the Southern States would be
'.recreant TO themselves, to their safety and
TO their honor" were they 70 cast
vote fer any candidate holding the
DoUCL,s, or, what is well known TO be, the
Northern Democratic doctrines on the subject.
Such was the issue, as presented by the
Southern Democratic Senators, in behalf of
the Southern Democracy and promptly accep-
ted and made by the Northern Democratic
Senators. on the part OF the Northern Demo-
cracy. In what respect, was 1t false" or
'inopportune," us alleged 10y the Southern
Democratic organ ut Mrmphsy "Inoppor-
tune'' for the cause Of deception il certainly
was but for the cause of truth, most oppoTttsne.
IL brought To light the opinions really and
truly entertained by the Northern Democracy
in respect to what are understood by the
people of the Soutl. to be their constitution
al rights on the subject of slavery in the
neutrality-suspicious. which have been s, du-
lousy concealed from the Democratic masses
OF the South by their leaders and organs for
selfish party purposes, aud to which conceal
ment the Democratic party Is for the most
part indebted for its almost universal
asceldency in the Southern States.
The veil is now rent, and the impositur.
stands exposed in the open light of day
Herceforth no Democratic leader or organ at
the South, with any character for truth, will
affect TO believe, much less und .rtake TO as
.ert, that the Northern Democracy recognize
AMI are prepared to aid In enforcing.
the constitutional rights of the Souih" in
tie Territories. The weapon which the
leaders aud organs have welded with such
potency and effect for the last twelve year.
and with which, in fact. they have mainly
achieved all their successes. is now w;rsted
from their hands Ia the coming canvass Ia
this State, will be heard from the Democratic