Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-14

or the other, fine question of slavery in the
Territories.- Washington Union.
But have not the leaders and organs of the
Democratic party in the South been pledging
themselves to the people of the South, for the
last twelve years ever since the acquisition
81 California and New Mexico-that the Dem
ocratlc party, If trusted with the conduct of
public affairs could control the question of
slavery in the Territories, and ,oould do it, so
as effectually to secure to the South its just
z and constitutional rights, How Industrious
", perseveringly. vehemently and vauntingly
have these leaders and organs proclaimed to
the people of the South, that in respect to this
question Of slavery in the Territories. which
has been Tie question of the day, the South
might with entire confidence rely on the dem
ocratic organization; that it was the only par
ty organization which could or would secure
to the South fair and rigbtful participation
in territorial benefits and advantages; and
that if the Federal Government were put in
possession Of the Democratic party, the rights
of the South in respect to slavery extension
into free territory would be recognized and
enforced?
We put it to the people of the South if such
promises and pledges have not, through a long
series of years, been uniformly made to them
by the Democratic leaders and organs and if
it was not upon the faith of those promises
and pledges, that they, the people, gave such
large support to the Democratic party as to
put that party in majority in every South
ern State, with perhaps only one exception?
How have these pledges been kept? The peo-
pie of the South trusted to them. Gen. PIERCE
was elected President, in 1852, by an over
whelming majority. The Democratic party
bad possession of all the departments of the
Federal Government, and of large majority
Of the State Governments. At the next cleo
tion. 1856, the Democratic candidate for the
Presidency was again elected. And now, at
length. after years of the most intense agita-
ton and the bitterest sectional strife threat
ening at times disruption of the Union, it is
formally announced by the official organ of the
present Democratic Administration. that "eeents
have demonstrated that political parties can
not CONTROL" that is, that neither the Demo-
eraalc party, nor any other political party, can
control, ''OHe way or the other, the question of
slavery in the territories"
The leaders and organs of that party in the
South then, have not fulfilled their own prom
Uses and the just expectations of the people
in this respect The consideration upon
which the people of the South placed political
power in their hands has wholly failed. And
a party they should be deemed no longer
worthy Of the public confidence.
How any man IF ordinary intelligence and
segacity, who has looked with open eyes upon
the proceedings and exhibitions of public SEN
tment by the Democratic party in the North. |
since this territorial slavery question was
broached in Congress, in 1876, could have |
permitted himself TO believe, that the Demo- |
cratic party in the North could continue 10 euist
az 8 party year if it had. as a party, yielded
TO the rights claimed by the South in respect
to the Introduction of slavery into the terri
tories is to us wholly inconceivable. Public
sentiment at the North on this point, was so
often, so uniformly, so clearly and emphati-
cally exhibited in season and out of season.
and that, too, from the beginning of the ag-
tation in ls46,-that it passes our compre-
South, worthy of the name of statesman,
could have worked himself into the belief for
one moment, that the Democratic party at the
North could ever be got, by any persuasions
or Inducements to admit the right claimed
by the people of the South under the COnsti-
tuition, to take their slaves into any free ter
ritory belonging to the United States, and |
Al,
ties in the use and ownership of those slaves. |
The Democratic party of the North never
have admitted this right, nor did they ever af |
ford to their Southern brethren any just |
ground for believing that they would admit
il. Its admission by them at any time would |
have been followed by their immediate ami
hilation party.
What, then, have the people of the South |
gained, in respect to their territorial rights |
by confding In, and cooperating with, the |
Democratic party of the North? Nothing |
What have they gained In respect to their |
territorial rights by putting the Democratic |
party in power throughout the South |
Nothing. The people of the South have gain
ed nothing at all but their own immediate |
leaders who mi.led and deceived them in re-
gard to the opinions and intentions of their |
Northern brethren, and the potency of the /
Democratic organization to guard, and pro-
tect, and enforce Southern rights-these |
lenders have gained, by the deception, power,
and place, and hOnors, aud enIOiuments
The South, too, has become nearly unit in |
party politics-a Democratic unit. That re-
suit will no doubt be claimed by the Demo
cratic leaders and organs of the South as IA
point of the utmost Importance, and of the |
greatest advantage in political point of /
view. Bat this union of the South has been
followed, rs the slightest sagacity might have
foreseen, by union of the North If the
Democrats of the South have succeeded in
uniting the South by dint of slavery agita-
ton, shey have also succeeded in uniting the
North against them. We say they the Demo
cratic lesdsrs of the Solah; for, to them, to
the course they have pursued. to their con
tinued agitation of the subject of slavery for |
unworthy, unpatriotic, disreputable party /
purposes. are the origin, rise, growth and |
present gigantic Dimensions of the Republican
party owing.
Mr.. HALE, If our memory serves rs. stated |
IN the Senate, that he was Indebted to Presi-
dent PIERCE for BIS return to that body
meaning that it Was the reopening of slavery |
agitation, under President PERc IS auspices,
that enabled him TO come back to the Senate. |
Mr. SEWARD. in his Rochester speech boast
cd that whereas, but short time ago, there !
were but d.ree Of his set in the Senate. and |
.A..li