The Nevada Democrat., 1859-05-25
Ths Rnmorsd Compromlse..


In another column will be found paragraph
giving the basis Of reported compromise be-
tween The Lecompton and anti-Leoompton
wings Of the Democratic party. We place but
little reliance in the report, on account Of the
suspicious source from which it emauates. The
New York Herald is noted for getting up sensa-
ton paragraphs, and this is probably one OF
them. So far as principles are involved. the
anti Lecompton Democrats have no compromi-
ses to make. They stand now where they stood
In 1856, upon the Cincinnati Platform, and
their Interpretation of that Platform can be
found in the speeches of Douglas, Pugh and
others, delivered in the U. S. Senate on the 23d
of February last They hold now, as they did
in 1856, that the Territories are common pro-
perty; that slave holders and non-slave holders
have an equal right to settle in them; that 1t is
right aud proper for the people to regulate
event Congress shall not interfere with the sub
ject of slavery 10 the States or Territories,
This is the only principle upon which the sla-
very question can be settled. If Congress has
the constitutional right to protect slavery 10
the Territories II does not follow that this right
should be exercised; aud it was the clear un-
derstanding, when the Nebraska bill was pass
ed, that whatever right Congress had to legis-
! late on the subject should be conceded to the
people who alone were interested. The Ne
braska legislation was designed to meet any
decision which the Supreme Court might make,
/ A. III 20 Nho fnbt Of
Territorial Legislature to abolish or protect
slavery; and if the slavery discussion is re-
opened 10 Congress, those who would repeal
the Kansas-Nebraska act must be responsible
for the agitation.
That serious division exists in the Demo
cratic ranks in almost every State in the Un-
ion, no intelligent man will deny. The Admin
istration is responsible for this division. The
malignancy with which every prominent Dem
ocrat, who would not surrender his opinions in
the keeping Of the Administration, has been
pursued by the hosts of Federal retainers and
a tme-serving press. could produce no otheI
result II is not improbable that the late move
ment of the Democracy Of Pennsylvania, which
is likely to be followed by similar demonstra
tions in other quarters, has had the effect tt
bring the Administration to their senses, and
| to show them with what contempt they are re-
garded by the independent Democratic masses
Thus far the Administration have been play.
ing into the hands of the sectional politicians
of the South, whose only object is to build up
two great sectional parties, by which means
they hope to bring about dissolution of the
Union. 1t is for this purpose that Senators
JEFF Davis, Brown, Mason, and others are en-
deavoring to commit the party to the support
of the doctrine of Intervention for the purpose
of protecting slave property in the Territories.
With such plank engrafted upon the Demo-
cratic platform, they know very we'll that the
Republican candidate for President in 1860
will be elected by an overwhelming majority,
and they could have had no other object in
view when they advocated that measure.
1t is possible the President has at length got
bis eyes open, and may now be endeavoring to
heal the divisions In the party which he has
done so much to disorganize aud corrupt. We
have, however, but little faith in the efficacy of
any compromise which might be patched up be-
tween the "chiefs" of the two factions; the dis
sensions have extended among the masses of
the party, and by them it must eventually be
settled.