The Nevada Democrat., 1859-02-23
A SOUND PLArFORM.

A very large portion of the American people
are heartily sick and tired Of the continued ag-
itation of the slavery question. They neither
entertain nor sympathize with any ultra views
on this subject. They do not wish to infringe
on any of the constitutional rights of the South
nor TO disturb the harmony of the Union by any
innovation upon the well established principles
under which il has advanced so rapidly upon
the high road TO prosperity. They are opposed
to all further Congressional interference with
slavery for the benefit of either section. They
desire neither the prohibition by Congress OF
slavery in the Territories, nor any possible In
reference with it in the States where il exists ;
aud are perfectly willing to allow the fugitive
slave law to remain unchanged upon the stat
ute books, and to be rigidly enforced. They
wish the question Of slavery in the Territories
to be left entirely to the decision of the people
who are to inhabit them. If the people fairly
decide in favor of the establishment of slavery,
there will be no serious opposition to the ad-
mission Of new slave States into the Union. II
! Territorial populations decide in favor Of free
Constitutions. they want no distractions raised
against the accomplishment of their wishes.
Neither do they sympathise with any Of the ul-
! ira ideas of the Southern tireeaters. They ut
| terly condemn the project Of reviving the slave
trade are bitterly opposed to any special law
of Congress for the protection of slave property
in the Territories and all efforts to draw q line
of distinction between the terms on which free
and slave States are to be admitted into the
Union, or to overawe the popular will. and cir
cumvent it by any such contrivances as the Le-
compton Constitution, are regarded not only as
unjust, but as utterly unworthy Of great and
enlightened nation. The practical ideas EN-
braced in these sentiments will, we think be.
come the basis of the controlling policy of this
nation at no distant day. For time there
may be an angry war between those on the one
hand who aim at so directing the powers of thi
Government as TO hasten and eniorceN similar
ity of the institutions of all the States, in def
ance of the interests and the wishes of those
who inhabit them. and those on the other hant
who aim at converting this proud Republic in
to mere propagandist of slavery. aud who re
cognize no subject rs vital and important un-
less ii relates to the protection or extension o
that institution. either by spreading il over oul
present Territories. acquiring new slave soil. OI
importing slaves from Africa. But there is So
little practical good in the aims of either O
these parties, that it is folly to expect they can
for any lengthy period, occupy the public mind
with such topics, to the exclusion Of others bet
ter entitled to consideration, and which afford
a more substantial basis for appropriate politi-
cal action.
The slavery question can easily be settled
upon system of equal and exact Justice to all
sections of the Union. Let Popular Sovereign
ty honestly prevail in the Territories and the
great bone of contention will at once be remov-
I'd and let all the new-fanglrd ideas involved
in the projects for the revival Of the slave trade
Congressional protection of slavery in the Ter
rtories. and compulsory conformity of the in
sitntions Of the various S at p through the in
Auence Of the General Government. be totally
ignored as they should he. and there is an end
to all further dispute F6rney's Press.