Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-10-04
The Democratic March Towards Sla.
very.

plants OF slavery occasionally make, and
all too in the name of democracy We
stated the position of the Republicans to
be that it is wrong to spread slavery, and
therefore, in the eyes of the Patent Dem
ocrat, we are an abolitionist. 1t is really
almost nonsensical to argue with any one
who will hold up slavery, either white,
copper colored. or black, as the natural
aate Of man, but as we have at hand high
democratic authority, we will here give it
ior the information of the genius in poll
ties who has the Democrat in charge. It
will be borne in mind that we had said
nothing, and never have, nor has the Re
publican party, that would bear the slight
est intention of disturbing the JIesscd in
stitution in States where it legally exists,
but simply exercised our constitutional
right Of advocating freedom in free terrific
ries. Gen. Cass, Mr. Buchanan Secreta-
ry Of State, but six years ago, held the
opinions we advanced, and supported them
by good authorities if we are an abolition
ist now, he, with nine tenths of the demo-
cratic party north, must have been also,
and although he and others may have
changed, we have not, for ne then held the
s9me opinion zee do mor. His speech
will commend itself to all democrats who
have fallen into the snare of slavery. and
some who have been perhaps unwittingIy
misled from year to year, can probably re
aIize how much they have changed in prin-
-jpIe since 1854:
speech Of Gen. Cass at Detroit. Novem-
Der (. 1854
AND first | will refer to that kind of
motive power by which it is claimed that
Immediately on the acquisition by the Uni
ted States of any foreign territory, slavery
extends over it by the operation of the
Constitution, however it may be excluded
ly the local law by which, for instance, if
Cauada were annexed to the Union to-mor-
row every STAKEHOLDER could take his slaves
there, and hold them till prevented BY an
2:t Of the people embodied in State Con-
sttutlon. This very position | heard main
tanned with relation to Canada by south
ern senator-I think by Mr. yulee-in an
sver to an inquiry made by Mr. Dickinson
The opposition to this pretension the wri-
ter does me the honor to call an article in
the Cass creed. This is too high an hon
oT, and one to which | have no claim.
eil him it is an article in the Constitution
al creed, firmly maintained, as [ believe, by
every man in the non -slaveholding States,
and as know, by many an able and patri-
ouc statesman in the South. 1t was held
II Mr. Clay and Mr. Webster; and can
al>o tell him he is behind the age. This
Fretension originated | know not when or
where, but certainly very recently. 1t
sPrang up IN night, and perished in a
day Although it was probed to tue bottom
By It's opponents at the last session Of the
Senate | do not recollect a single member
who entered upon its defense; and one ve-
n able southern man, at least, Mr.. Harris,
Of Mississippi disayowed it, and thought
IN rather contemptuous terms. Between
you and me, Mr.. Chairman said that gen.
t!eman, the Constitution does not carry
save anywhere, except it be a runaway,
and 1t does take him back from Free State
70 his mister in a Slave State Another
member from slaveholding State, Mr.
franklin, OF Maryland, expressed similar
views. The doctrine never had any real
foundation, either in the Constitution or in
The nature of the confederation 1t rested
on the assumption, that the public domain
0elng acquired by the whole Union, the
Whole Union had equal rights in its enjoy
ments. This postulate is undeniable But
Taat then! 1t was further contended that
'ae South could not enjoy their equal right
" settlement upon the public lands, unless
comparatively small portion of its popu-
6a9 6toa, say $4,000 out of more than g.
g'''0V0 OF white persons, could take their
saves with them; or, in other words, that
Every man, of every State in the Union,
-,. +al right to take all his property to the
P1oic domain, and there hold it-whiskey,
:sanhS' or anything else-although prohib-
". isu oy the local law. A true answer to
sus pFetension is, that if any man, North
=, south, holds property, not recognized as
.aOa' .' or prohibited by the local law, his
'Saedy is to be found, not in the violation
" IL out IN the conversion of such prop
t;ny s,y INTO money, the universal representa-
S.e OF value, and take that to his new
-one' and there commence his work of en-
%;fse' IN young and growing commu-
,,a..S cannot even glance at the numerous
r,aslaeratlons n,a which fortify and render i'm
psslaole this position. | shall content
4!SeIi 1l with adding, that the maintenance
,s, !. suon doctrine leads inevitably to con-
e sStushces which strike at that great element
WI institutions, the rights of the States.