Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1859-07-05
Iaansbbs Ualltp Star.
riNiMng W.
fhf Territories md tic Positiaf Of the
Democratic Pariy--latervtnlioR.
Tuesday, IrLY .. fsss.

1eApNtehs 9aFhl -lhbtttSuttyus
II ourIlast Issue 70 asserted III opin-
ION that Congress has not The right Or
power under the Constitution either 10
establish, prohibi. % abolish slavsry 10
sAy of ths Territories belonging to7the
United States, and that such right be-
longs only to thepeople Of Territory,
when they form 3 Constitution for Id
mission into the Union a. State We
also asserted the opinion thar Congress
~. only has the right to intervene for the
protection Of persons and property in 4
Territory. but that il 10 the duly Of Con-
gtess to do 90 whenever property Of any
description is left without protection. Of
soughtto be destroyed b. the local Leg
slature ofa Territory. !.
We do not now propose % discuss The
above propositions! They are 40 embed
iment Of the3 Consultation itself 80 e1
pounded BY The Supreme Court of the
Uuited States, and therefore, are no lon.
gel controYer.ed questions.
We hold. then. that il is bot only the
duly, but the policy Of the Democratic
party and Of every other party. which
Processes cbedienes to The. Constitution
u sho country. toopenly and distinctly
endorse this position. M party can re-
fase to do 20 without proving false 70 the
Constitution itself. And no party can
sustain itsef in refusing ! recognition Of
this doctrine, on any other ground than
thai Of the h,gasrlla,O A followers Of
William H. Seward. Thu doctrine lar
ing been asfnisiseiy settled BY TIE supreme
court. ati,aits Of No compromise Or era.
non. It demands q distinct, and une-
quiyocalE recognition, an open and
manly repudia,ion at the shandssof the
Charleston Convention in 1860. There
isfno middle ground upon which. TIE tim.
lid, Iime-serying sons Of political expedi-
ysncy can build an ephemeral and delu-
siye lcompromise. The Democracy must
recognise and endorse this doctrine, and
thereby endorse the Constitution, Of elese
ignore the Constitution and proclaim in.
favor sfSquatter Sovereignty. There is
mo other alternative. The most adroit
trimmer cannot steer between the two po-
iIsitiods. To attempt athing 80 ridiculous
and impractieable would but exciteb.he
scorn and indignation Of The Democracy
Of both sectionsiof the Confederacy,
--+ Tie doctrine Of the rightof Congress
to 'Hinieryene = for iheF protection Of
property inithe Territories, received the
sanction a. early as 1856. not only Of
Gov. Wise and Senator Hunter, but of
the entire Virginia Delegation at the Gin
cinnaEi Convention, and u The greatbody
Of the Democracy North anil South, Il
/. ia trae, that 10 early as 1856 this doctrine
was a debatable question. not having, al
that lime, received titeinterpretation offhe
Judiciary Of The country. For that reason
it WasRdeemsd bssl mol to distinctly incor.
porate the doctrine into the Cincinnati
platform. batto leave the question il obeyt
aitee until IL could receive the interpreta-
ton off The Cbarts Of The country. Since
thatperiod the doctrine has been Distinctly
and uneauiyocally affirmed BY the Su.
preme Court Of the United States. And
hequestion j. now presented bwh slher The
Democracy will recognise and endorse
this Consttustona1 principle, thus esiab-
lished Ibyj The action of the supreme
Court, or whether they win abandon
the Constitution and take refuge on 4
Squaster Sovereignty platform?
ID our opinion, the Charleston Con
veniion cannot hesitate inIassaming a!po-
sition pp th,s question. W. hare no
fsars bat thatthe Convention will recog-
nize and endorse the doctrine Of the Con.
sti.atioa, and repudiate squatter soser.
signty. By planting themselves firmly
I on tho Constitution In the Presidential
con,ss. 10 1862. the Democracy will car
ny every Southern State. and .still hold
The conservative and patriotic Desnocra-
cy of THE North, who have hitherto stood
shorideF TO shoulder With ,he Southern
Democracy Incidence Of the CONSTITUTION
and TIP Union. A refusal BY the
Charleston Convention 10 taks such po.
ssition. would b. equivalent TO > repuaia-
..ion of ~ acknowledged Constitutional
principle. and would drive nearly Of
quite every Southern State from the sup.
N port 81 The nominee Of the Consention,
and .hat1soo without the prospect of any
material Increase Of our party strength il
ths Northern States. si ma
The Democracy Of the nation csn nsy,
.srI Be Drought to recognition and en-,
dorsement Of Squalter Sovereignty, Be,
,rssn Sauatter Sovereignty and Wilmol
Proyisoism there is but little choice. ~
Tho former il not less fatal 10 the rights
and institutions t,f thasSonlh than the lat.