The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-09-21

L
Under our complex system Of Gov
ernmeAt 1. is the first duty of American
statesman to mark distinctly the dividing
line between Federal and Local Authori
y. To do this with accuracy involves
an inquiry not only into the powers and
duties Of the Federal Government under
the Constitution, but also into the rights,
privileges, and immunities of the Terri
tories, as we'll as Of the States composing
the. Union. The relative powers and
functions of the Federal State govern
ments have become well understood and
clearly defined By their practical opera
tions and harmonious action for long
series of years; while the disputed ques-
tion--involving the right Of the people of
the Territories to govern themselves in
respect to their local affairs and internal
poIity remains q fruitful source Of par
tizan strife and sectional controversy
The Political organization which was
formed Id 1854, aud has assumed the
name Of the Republican Party. is based
on the theory that African slavery. as it
exists IN this country, is an evil of such
magnitude social, moral, and political
--as to justify and require the exertion
Of the entire power and influence of the
Federal Government to the full extent
that the Constitution, according to their
Interpretation will permit, for. its ultimate
extinction. In the platform Of princi-
pies adopted at philadelphia by the Re-
2ablicsn National Convention in 1866,
Il is affirmed. .yLostBaz-
vel NThat the Constitution confers upon
Congress sovereign power over the Ter
1ritories Of the United States for their
government, and that in the exercise of
this power it is both the right and the
odnty of Congress to prohibit in the Ter
sritories those twin relics of barbarism,
.polygamy and slayeryp 10 uFodsho41aII
dailAccording to- the theory of the Re
publican party there is an irrepressible
confict between freedom and slavery, free
labor and slave labor, free States and
rslave States which, ia i-reconcilable. and
must consinue to rage with increasing
fury until the one shall become universal
sby ths annihilation of the other. In the
:
,Iangusge, Of the most eminent and author.
sstise lexpounder of their political faith.
-nsAIt is an irrepressible conflict between
opposing and enduring forces; and il
emeans that the u nited States must and
ewill, sooner or later, bee ONE either entire.
,ly . slsveholding nation or entirely free
labor nation. Either the cotton aud rice
,6slds Of South Carolina, and the sugar
eplautatiohs of Louisiana, will ultimately
ybsytilled by free labor and Charleston and
New, Orleans become marts for legiti
,mate merchandise alone, or else the rye
.delds and. wheat fields of Massachusetts
cand New York mustagain beIsurrendered
by their farmersrto slave culture and te
the production of slaves, and Boston anC
New York become once more markets fol
trade in the bodies and souls Of men,
-saIn the Illinois canvass of 1858 the
asame proposition was advocated and de
mfaGded by 1.-the distinguished Republican
-standard, ,beareroin these words - a.lzsef.
edi .Iu my opinion it The slavery agita
stiou1 will not cease b until iaocrisis shall
have bsen reached and passed. "A house
divided againstwitselfI cannot stand.'ol]
ebelieve this government cannot bendur'
opermsnently half slave and half free.
-dosn6t expect the honse to ofall, but | dc
expect it. viii cesseto De divided. sItwil
3 bscomeyalh one thingoorr all the other -
.Eithsp thNnpponentsI of slavery will ar,