The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1859-06-30
Antagonisms of the Democracy

has been held together on a nationn! platform
which, although variously interpreted in differ
ent sections, has nevertheless served to unite
the party on Presidential issues. The vague
bond Of union which has hitherto kept tho con-
ficting elements together, it would seem is now
being hopelessly sundered. The party has no
longer common object in view the ends
sought TO be obtained by its organization, have
such strong diversity that no common plat
orm of principles can satisfy. The hope OF par
ty spoils has a strong influence in linking men
together in a bond of unity; they overlook diff
ferences Of opinion for the sake of patronage;
but when the prospects of triumph grow forbid
ding, then the radical differences of men, nom-
ally of the same party, are rendered apparent
During the last Presidential canvass, the Gin
cinnah PLATFORM, served to hold the different
sections ofthe democracy together for a common
purpose. The Cincinnati platform is now ig-
nored to large extent, and in many quarters
openly repudiated. A large section Of the party
which aided in the election of Buchanan, de-
nounce it as reasonable surrender of the
rights Of the south other sections of the party
still insist it to be distinct recognition of pop
ular sovereignty; and others STILL maintain that
1t contains no settlement of that question The
exciting antagonisms in the democratic party
are not matters of mere suspicion every one
who reads the current political events of the
day, must perceive their reality.
In the South there is now strong marty Of
interventionsts, led of by such men MS sGov
Wise, of Virginia. They insist that Congress is
bound to pass laws for the protection of slavery
in the Territories. This ofcourse, strikes Down
popular sovereighnty, and treats it with CON
tempt. The party which now insists on Con
gressional Intervention for the protection of sIa
very in the Territories, is by no means insrnif.
icant, it is not confined to Virginia, but has a
strong hold and even a controlling influence
In many of the Southern states From present
indications, it seems likely the Slave State
representation in the Charleston Convention.
will be committed to this new dogma. More
over, il is quite probable that that Convention
will have controlling majority who will insist
upon its distinct recognition. The Richmond
Enquirer, one of the most influential democratic
Journals in the South, puts forth the following
unequivocal declaration of sentiment:
From every quarter of the South we are in
formed that this question of protection of Slav-
cry IN the Territories will be made an issue be-
fore the Charleston Convention as an article in
the platform of the party. The denial or evasion
OF u Will involve the party in hopeless defeat
an me south. The Convention will in our
OPINION, meet the issue, and upon the bred
Scott decision, affirm the duty of Congress- to
protect rights judcially acknowledged"
That portion of the party which still adberes
to the fortunes of the present national admins
tration' insist on the non~intervention of Con-
gress for the protection OF Slavery; alleging
that the Constitution as interpreted by the
Dred Scott decision renders Congressional in
Prevention unnecessary. They furthermore in
sist that the power of the administration stands
pledged for the enforcement of the judicial de-
cisions of the Court; therefore any legislation
on the part of Congress in respect to slave pro
perty in the Territories is unnecessary. AL
though the position of the Observation-Disclosures, is
great surrendery to the demands of Slavery
yet it does not satisfy Southern ultraism. The
extremists are not satisfied with the mere deci-
sion ofthe United States Court; they insist on
having their claims secured by Congressional
enactment this will put the immunities Of
slavery in the Territories beyond cavil
The other or more northern branch of the de-
mocracy, claim to adhere strictly to the doctrine
of popular sovereignty; although they have
forced themselves into an awkward position, by
admitting the force and authority of the bred
Scott decision. Senator Douglas is the repre-
sentative of this portion of the democracy, and
it appears from a late declaration from him
that he is not yet disposed to abate any of his
formerly expressed doctrines. In answering a
late letter of inquiry, as to the allowance of his
name before the Charleston Convention, he
says:
" If the Convention shall interpolate into the
creed of the party such new issues as the revi-
val of the African slave trade, or n congression-
al slave code for the territories, or the doctrine
that the constitution of the United States
either establishes or prohibits slavery in the
territories beyond the power of the people le-
galy to control it as other property it is due to
candor to say that in such an event | could
not accept the nomination rendered to me-"
This recently announced declaration of SEN
ator Douglas, renders it pretty certain that he,
and the fraction of the democracy who follow
him, will find no favor in the Charleston Com
Vention. The war between these different fac
tons of the democratic party, indicates that the
next National Convention will be composed OF
most discordant elements. The probabilities
are that the northern popular sovereignty men,
who talk with such boldness at home, will
speak with subdued tones in S'th Carolina when
the Convention assemblies. Under the scorch.
ing rays of Southern sun, their patriotic zeal
for the right of the people of the Territories, t,
determine the character of their own domestic
institutions, will most likely evaporate and dis
appear. If such be not their course, they will
in all probability have no countenance in thai
body.
HE EFFECT DE THE WAR ON AMERICAN