The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-16

doctrine aver that the object and effect of the bill
were to leave to the people of the Territories them
selves the right to decide what institutions they
should have while in territorial condition.
But the political agitators Of the South who
have taken to ride this hobby hold that the only
privilege conferred on the squatters by this bill
was, that when they came to form State consti-
tuition they should do 10 In their own way that
in the meantime they had no constitutional right
to legisate against slavery in the Territory that
The constitution of the United States protects
slavery there and everywhere, and that If the
Territorial Legislature did not pass laws to pro.
tect it Congress should do 90.
That is the state of this question. The
differences are very fine drawn, indeed, but
yet distinct enough to enable demagogues to get
up an agitation on the subject Squatter sove-
reign.y is the veriest humbug that any people or
party could set up and worship; but it wasregu-
lmly inaugurated and canonized by the demo-
cratic party in the Kansas Nebraska bill, and it
is only now when its powerlessness to advance
the object intended by it is apparent, that Its
former friends turn their. backs upon it. We
may expect to see the whole question rcopened
in the next Congress, and do service all through
the Presidential compaign.
Quite as preposterous is the agitation attempt
cd to be got up In regard to the protection Of
naturalized citizens abroad. Sensible letters by
Secretary Cass to two or three naturalized
citizens are made the text of scores of let
tiers ard sets OF resolutions from politicians
and conventions all over the country in OPP
position to the plain, common sense princi
PIES laid down by the Secretary. II the govern
msnt would adopt the views Of the demagogues on
this point, it would be absolutely necessary for
US to maintain powerful army and navy, so as
to be able to make our pretensions good against
q world III arms and we would soon have the
curious spectacle presented of foreign subjects
coming to this country, becoming naturalized
in the precipitate manner best known to Tam
many Hall politicians, and returning to settle
down in their native land in the guise of Ameri-
can citizens, whom our government would be
bound to protect at all hazards and against all
adversaries. The mere statement Of the propo-
sition shows the absurdity Of the doctrine con.
| tended for.
And yet these three questions that we have
thus outlined form the sole stock in trade of the
politicians of the day. There is no question of
national policy dividing the two great parties;
nothing but the my tn in regard to the extern.
sion or repression of slavery In fact these issues
not as between party and party bat are schisms
that have sprung up in the one communion.
In regard to taris, the acquisition Of Cuba, and
kindred topics, it is the same They serve to
mark, not the dividing line between democrats
and republicans, but the want Of any fixed prin.
ciple Of policy in either. Perhaps we ought to
be thankful, after all, that our political questions
are such pure distractions, having neither form
nor substance.
The CHARLESTON CONVENTION AND THE
CHARLESTON CIIMArE.-The Cincinnati Conveu-
ton Of 1856, as a tub to the Southern whale,
tional party convention Of 1860, leaving it to
the National Executive Committee to appoint
the time. The committee, we believe, has been
accordingly called to meet in Washington, with
the assembling of Congress in December, to
name the day. And it go happens, while the pc
culiar embarrassments of the party will require
the largest possible margin of time rOr The pur-
pesos Of harmony before the meeting of the
convention, that the peculiar climate of Charles
ton will not admit Of any extension beyond the
first week in May. And why? Because with
regard to "the strangers fever" which sets in
at Charleston about the middle Of May, or few
days sooner or later, only small number of the
delegates from this side of Mason and Dixon's
line will be found upon trial to be Northern
men with Southern principles"
The Charleston Convention, therefore, consi-
dering the important element of the Charleston
malaria on the one hand and the prospect of
long discussion on the niger issue, cannot safely
be convened at later period than the first day of
May; but considering, on the other hand, the
disoIdered state Of the party and the manifest
advantages Of some delay, the middle of July
would be much better time for the convention
in view Of democratic harmony. In the next
place, the conservative city Of New York would
be much better place for composing the South
ern freeaters than that h0tbed of notification
and secession, the hospitable, but cramped and
contracted little city Of Charleston The
clty Va Anew LUX, TIC BTeaI commercial
and financial centre Of the Union, is the
true locality for the purposes of every
great national political assemblage whose object
is the nomination Of Presidential ticket The
delegates of the rural districts, and those from
our distant frontiers to such convention, might
learn more in three days in New York, concern
ing the grandeur, the resources, the develope.
ments, the character and the value of this Union,
and the true policy Of all sections in behalf of the
Union, than they could learn anywhere else
from six weeks or ak months active observation.
With these suggestions to stand upon, and as.
Stunning that the Democratic National Executive
Committee will possess Discretionary power
over the subject, by and with the advice and
consent of the democratic members of Conoress