The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-04-28

keenly alive to the existence OF the dan
gers which all the great statesmen OF the
Democratic party have predicted from
the prostitution of the vast patronage oil
the General Government to the accom-
plisbment of partizan purposes; that un-
der the present National Administration
the worst fears of the patriotic statesmen
of the earliest days of the Republic, on
this subject, have been realized; and that
the events of the last two years have sad
" illustrated the truth Of the remark of
James Buchanan in 1927 in his speech
against the prostitution of Federal pat
ronage to political ends by the Admins
tration of John Q. Adams, that "tho na-
ture of man is tho same under republics
and under monarchies. The history of
the human race proses that liberty can
never long be preserved without popular
jealously. It is the condition Of its en-
ioymeut. Or rulerS must be narroa0ty
scatched"
IL. That we are alike opposed to
Northern and Southern disunionlsts, re-
garding them as natural allies one to the
other, each appealing to the passions ano
prejudices of its own section agaist the
peace and harmony of the Union. and
demanding Congressional Intervention
for its own section alone, contrary to the
right of the people of the Territories to
govern themselves.
IS. In the language of Stephen A.
Douglas, at matters not what way the
Supreme Court may hereafter decide as
to the abstract question whether slavery
nav or may Dot 60 into Territory un-
der the Constitution; the people have the
lawful means to introduce it or exclude 1T,
as they please, for the reason that Slave
ry cannot exist day or an hour any
where unless it is supported by local po-
lice regulations. These police regulations
can only be established by local legisla-
ton; and il the people are opposed to
slavery, they will elect representatives to
that body. who will, by unfriendly leRls-
lation, effectually prevent the introduc-
ton of it into their midst; if, on the con-
trary, they are for it, their legislation will
favor its extension. Hence, no matter
what the decision of the Supreme Court
may be on that abstract question, It'll the
ri bit of the people to make slave Terri
tory or free Territory is perfect and
co N pletc under the Nebraska bill"
IA. That representing, az We beiie7e
large majority OF the Democratic party
of this State, we do hereby most solemn
!, protest against the betrayal, abridge-
ment or NJ utilation of this great principle
of the ''majority ruling" applicable alike
"to the Territories the same as to the
States;' and We therefore reject, as an
innovatio and unsound, the resolution OF
the late Convention that abridgcs and
limits the right of the people of Terri
tory to act in reference to the Institution
of slavery to the one particular time
when they come to organize their Stott
governments;" that We continue to bold
to the fullest application Of the principle
to the Territories. and can not but ex-
press our alarm and astonlshment at it:
threatened entire destruction, as disclosed
By leading Southern Senators in the re.
cent debate in the Senate of the Unite
States.
Is. That we are utterly opposed tc
the acquisition of Cnba, unless it can be
obtained by such fair and honorable
means as will be consistent with the Dig
nity aud fame of the Republic.
Is. That, adhering to the theory of o
!, frugal and economical administration o.
the General Government as taught by the
fathers OF the Democratic party, yet, the
necessary expenditures of that Govern
ment inperatively demand revision ol
the present revenue laws; aDd that il
such revision We are in favor of such &
distinct recognition of our manufacturing
agricultural and mechanical interests AZ
will rescue the Government from resort tc
direct taxation and perm apeDtly protect
the labor and industry of the country.
II. That the administration of Wm.
f. Packer, Governor of Pennsylvania
/, meets with our entire and cordial appro
val, characterized, as it has been, BY an
honest and careful guardianship of the
interests Of tho people of our Common
wealth; and that We commend him, moi
only for his opposition to corrupt legisln'
ton, but also because he was amongst the
. first to endorse the great principle Of pop
ular sovereignty, which lies at the very
heart of our free institutions, and because
he has been most fearless in maintsining
+ it; and that the attempt Of the Fedora
ad ninistration to defame the private and
public character of Gov. Packer meet:
with our most unqualified and iDdis nam
{ condemn alton.
ls. That this Convention entertain
the highest admiration for tho Hon Ste
phen A. Douglas, the heroic statesman
and Senator of Illinois; that bis grea
ability, his bold, manly and decided char
acter, his steadfast adherence to the prin.
ciples and pledges of the party, particu
larly in reference to the government o
the Territories, all demand for him the
thanks and continued confidence of the
whole Demo ocracy and of all true men.
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