Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-09-28

lation Of 1850 wus based. The people in the
election Of that year ratified the pledge. by an
unprecedented majority. The Kansas and Ne
braska Bill of 1854 but carried out tho same doc
trine; and the principle was reiterated ut Cincin-
natl, in 1855.
Thus the Democratic party has solemnly and
repeatedly pledged its faith to the doctrine Of
Congressional non.interrentiun upon the question
of slavery in the Territories: Tho Democrats Of
the North arc willing 10 abide by the doctrine and
carry it ou. The Southern Democracy With a
few exceptions are also in fsror Of adhering to
the plodge they hsro made. But those pcrsons in
the South who advocate the revival Of this disturb
ing question in Congress, with view, as they
gay. of securing protection to slave property in the
Territories, small rs they are in numbers, arc
yet sufficiently strong to disturb that Southern
harmony and unity, without which Black Re-
publican President will certainly be elected. II
therefore those Southern interventionists do not
abandon their heresy (or it Is nothing else) they
will divide the South, elect a Black Republican,
and leave the South in condition which would
prevent Southern Union In favor Of redress.
Ey being thrown out of Congress, the slavery
question is left to the people of the Territories,
to be regulated by them in accordance pith Ike
Consultations Of the United States.
The State Rights party of the South maintains,
and always has maintained, that under the Con-
3lo hos tOhf 70
his slaves into tho Territory, and enjoy thcm as
property. The Supreme Court Of the United
States has decided that this view Of the question
is correct Hence the South hos oil the protection
which the State Rights party has ever claimed,
and all tho protection which can possibly be giren
By tho Federal Government Suppose for instance,
VIC should acquire Southern Territory, and the
people thereof should form q Constitution recog-
nising slavery, and apply for admission into the
Union. Suppose the Black Republicans should
have majority in Congress- and should refuse to
admit such State because of the recognition Of
slavery in its Constitution, what then would the
South do7 Holding to the doctrine of non-inter-
vention, wo should say unhesitatingly that the
people ought to take their rights into thor own
hands and maintain them at every hazard. But
what would be our condition, if We admit the
right of Congress to legislate upon the subject OF
slavery? Why we would be cut OF from all jus
tifcation for such acourse. No! the only salvation
for the South is to keep the slavery question out
Of Congress; allow Congress to legisate upon this
subject, and we will never see another slave State
admitted into the Union.
Another serious fault, being committed in my
opinion by the Southern ultruists, is the form Of
threat TO bolt from tho action Of the Charleston
Convention in certain contingencies. This is un.
wise, aud may if persisted in, prove fatal. All
soud men should direct their efforts towards pro-
noting as much harmony rs possible in that Con-
vention. It is certain, quite certain. that the
next President of tho United States will be either
the nominee Of the Charleston Convention, or n
Black Republican,. To declare therefore, that il
such and such m individual should receive the
nomination he ought not to bc supported, would
be 10 indirectly invite tho election of Black Re.
publican The South, it seems to me, should re.
such position. This threatened rebellion is par.
,icularly directed against STEPHEN a. DouoLA5
The objection to him s, that lie is u non-interven
tiopist. But as have already said, the Demo
cratic party has .oenuly pledged its faith in "a
yor of non Intervention. 1t ia truo that judge
DOUGLAS cutertains sume sentiments ia reference
to tie powers of Territorial Legislature which
the South would not, perhaps, subscribe to; but
the question upon which be cut.rtains thoFc pc
culiar sentiments, is a mere abstraction; it is o
question which docs not, in renlity, affect thu
rights Of tie South at al'. DurGLAss theory is in
tended to show how a people who arc oppused te
slavery may legally prevent its establishment
among them. Now, the South does not want &c
force slavery upon any unwiuius people Slavery
will 20 whcreveri it i. profitable, nnd only there
do not look upon Judge DOUGLAS as an enomy
to the South, and We may have worse Presidents
than he would make. am therefore perfectly
willing to take him, US the nominee of tho Char
les,cn Convention and do all in my feeble way to
elect him. To show you that the South has nc
cause to be alarmed at this doctrine OF nUn-intcr.
veulion, we have only to look to its practical op
erations In the Territory Of New Mexico. the
Legislature has passed strons laws for the protee
ton of slavery this will be the csse wherever thl
institution is desirable. If the protection ot
slavery in New Mexico had been left to Congress
it never would have had protection.
I have perhaps Rpun this article out to an undue
length but as have not time 10 mako it shorter
you must take It for what it is worth. You shall
hear from me again during tho sitting Of Con.
gre.S. PALMETTO.