The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-04
WASHINGTON, D. G..
READING OUT OF CHURCH.

trends regard II as a formal attempt on the
part of the President to read them out of the
party. From the article, which is long and
Prosy, we make the following extracts:
1.-THE DEMOCRATIC RECORD.
" In former article we endeavored to pre-
sent an unimpassioned and impartial view OF
the present position of the Democratic party
with reference to the question of Slavery in the
Territories, and of the great dangers which are
likely to result, if either of the antagonistic
and, as we believe, speculative and impractical
theories of Senator Douglas on the one hand,
or Governor Wise on the other, is adopted or
allowed to prevail. We have urged, in all sin
cerity, that these theories are at a variance with
the Constitution Of the United States, the letter
and spirit of the compromise measures Of 1850,
the Kansas-Nebraska bill, the Cincinnati Plat
form, and the solemn pledges of the party; and
we now propose to prove by the record itself
that we have stated the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth.
This is the record of the Den Acratic party
on the question of popular sovereignty, as dis
tinguished from squatter sovereignty in the
Territories. Wherein is there to be found one
title Of justification for the assertion that Ter
ritorial Legislature abolish Slavery? Is
not the proof overwhelming that the contrary
is absolutely laid down? Wherein is there
any justification for the assertion that Congress
is bound to interfere TO protect Slavery in the
Territories? On the contrary, is it not distinct
by declared that slave property is the same as
any other property, and that no tribunal
whether Legislative, executive, or judicial, has
right to draw any distinction, or deny to slave
property the benefit Of the provisions and guar
antics which have been provided for the protec-
ton of private property
Are we not, therefore, justified in stating
that the theories of Senator Douglas and Gov
ernor Wise are at variance with the compro-
mise measures, the Kansas-N ebraska bill, and
the Cincinnati Platform? The theories, too,
independent of their falsity, are purely specula-
tive and impractical, because there is not,
and is not likely to be, any Territory to which
they could be applied. Why, then, disturb the
country and distract the party by their discus
sion2
We do not desire to Judge Mr.. Douglas or
Mr.. Wise harshly; but were they TO try TO de
wise plan for the disruption and defeat of the
Democratic party, and for securing the triumph
of Mr.. Seward and Black Repubhcanism, we
do not see how they could attain their purpose
more effectually than by the course they are
now pursuing in urging on the people of their
respective sections the adoption of their antag
onistic theories.
"We have faith, however in the wisdom and
conservatism Of the masses of the party, that
they will resist every attempt to disunite them,
and, faithful to their record and their pledges,
triumph over all opposition, whether from
avowed enemies or pretended friends"
To this anathema, OF bull of excommunica,
ton, the Richmond Enquirer, edited by son
of Governor Wise, responds in the following
ferocious style The article from the Enquirer
Is probably from the pen of Governor Wise
himself
From the Richmond Enquirer
THE PRESENT ADMINS TRATION ATTEMPTS
TO DICTATE TO THE DFMOGRArlC PARTY.
We call attention to the accompanying arti-
Gle from the Washington Constitution, a sheet
known, where il is known at all, to be devoted
TO the purpose of propounding to a very limited
number OF subscribers the almost indescribahle
policy of the present Administration, Federal
and Federalist.
The whole article is a curious mixture of die
tation and lodging. The lodges are all in
tended for the purpose of misrepresenting the
respective positions of Senator Douglas and
Governor Wise. The Federalist organ com
mences by boast that it has already logically
demolished both these gentlemen-when and
how, we are at loss to discover.
In the name of the Democracy of Virginia,
We can inform the organ that the insidious doc
trine which il breaches from the teaching of
Mr.. Eli Thayer, is itself the most dangerous
species of Black Republicanism, no less odious
than that of Mr.. Seward himself, and much
better adapted to the practical fuGlment Of all
the ends and objects OF free-soil fanaticism.
And we protest that neither the organ at
Washington, nor the Administration whose
sdicts it proclaims, is entitled to dictate to, or
even to speak by authority Of, any portion of
the conservative Democracy of the Union. And,
last of all, let the administration or its organ
venture to dictate the Interpretation of the Gin
cinnati platform, or pretend that it can oIleT a
safe guide TO party which owes every difficulty
which now surrounds it to the misguided policy
and the broken pledges of the very Admins
trstion which it has placed in power.
When the President accepted the Presden
tial nomination, he solemnly promised to stand
on the Cincinnati platform, without taking
plank from it, or adding plank TO it, Even
before the canvass was ended, he did attempt
10 force into an Internal improvement plank
4rhich uaS rejected al Cincinnati as rotten
plank, and the attempt IodS made IN a reTy an
sound manner.
Since then, it would be difficult to enumerate
the sound planks which this Administration
has taken out, and the unsound planks which
1t has attempted to force into the Cincinnati
platform.
Let us take few examples. The very eyst
plank Of the platform inculcates the doctrine
that "the grants Of power made in the Constitu-
ton ought TO be strictly construed by all the
departments and agents of the Government ;
and that it is inexpedient and dangerous to ex-
ercise doubtful constitutional powers
Rejecting this plank, the Administration has
furnished another, authorizing unlimited resort
70 latitudinariRD construction, and where even
this could not be evolved from the powers Of
peace, appealing to the warmaking power for
still more extended usurpation of power by
the General Government.
Plank 2. That the Constitution does not
confer upon the Federal Government the power
to commence and carry on general system OF
internal improvements"
Rejecting this plank, the Administration
has inserted another, to the effect that the Fed
eral Government may commence and carry on
any works of internal improvement, under the
war-making power, and in time OF profound
peace.
The fourth plank assumes "that Justice and
sound policy forbid the Federal Government to
foster one branch Of industry TO the detriment
of another"
The Administration takes this out, and puts
a new plank IN its place, providing that specific
tariff duties shall be resorted to in exceptional
instances, for the purpose of discriminating in
favor of certain branches of industry, and
against others.
The fourth plank also provides that every
citizen and every section of the country has a
right 10 demand and insist upon an equality of
rights and privileges, and to complete and am
pie protection Of persons and property from do
meStic riOlence on. foreign aggression"
In lieu of this, the present Administration
nov denies protection from domestic UioLeRce
TO persons and property of the common Terri