The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-23
THE WRANGLING DEMOCRACY"

The Black Democracy, North and South,
East and West, are in a complete state of disin-
tegration. They no longer have any common
objects in view, and, as matter of course, no
common platform of principles upon which to
While the spoils remained to be divided,
- one bond of union among
- - -. A., uat.ooro :, ell distributed, the
term for which it is to be enjoyed is IL
running out, and the result is general state OF
restlessness and want of harmony. The lead
ing demagogues in the different sections have
each a hobby, upon which they hope to recon
struct the party and ride into power. We have
had fnality" upon finalty,' and yet there is
no end to their wranglings and subdivisions.
The Cincinnati platform is torn to shreds and
tatters. A large section Of the party which CO.
operated in the election of Mr. Buchanan now
expectorate upon that platform, and denounce
it as a disgraceful surrender of Southern rights.
Another class attempt to pervert it into an open
avowal of popular sovereignty; while a third
are content to receive it for what it was intend
ed to be, viz: a riddle, a puzzle, which politi-
clans in the various sections are at liberty to
construe as they please.
In the South, we have a party of Interven-
tionists, headed by Governor Wise, of Virginia
They insist that Congress is bound to pass laws
for the protection of Slavery in the Territories,
and many of them are ready to dissolve the
| Union if their demand is not complied with
AT the centre, we have party represented
by the Administration, which insists on non-in-
tervention by Congress for the protection of
Slavery; because, as they say, the Constitution,
as interpreted by the bred Scott decision, has
| rendered intervention unnecessary. They pledge
the Administration to the most active interven-
ton for the enforcement of judicial decisions.
as we'll as in the distribution of It's patronage !;
but they insist that Congressional legislation is
unnecessary.
Mr.. Douglas represents a third class who
claim to be in favor of popular sovereignty, but
who stultity themselves by admitting the author
ity of the Supreme Court and the bred Scott
decision. de insists that the people of the
Territories may keep out Slavery by an omis.
sion to pass laws for its protection, and By sun
friendly legislation" Many of his Northern
sympathizers go further, and claim that the
Territories may abolish or exclude Slavery.
This is the position of the popular sovereign
ty" party in Maine, in PENNSYLVANIA. and we
believe, in Ohio.
The war between these factions is particular
ly warm at this time, and threatens to result in
general breakdown at the Charleston Con.
vention. If the Northern popular sovereignty
men talk in that body as they do at home, il
{ will be impossible to hold the party together
bot the atmosphere of Charleston is particular
ly unfrendly to the utterance of free sentiments
and we shall he greatly surprised if the dele
gates from Maine, for instance, are found reit
Grating the phrase Negre Despotism," by way
of designating the bred Scottites and Slavery
} Protectionists. Under the scorching rays of {
: Southern sun, their patriotic ardor in behalf o
, Freedom will have oozed ont long before they
r reach the latitude Of the Palmetto State.
: We have observed with unaloyed pleasure