Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-05-18
Tennessee Resolution.

ANeAc 10 AOlIOWSs
Resolved, That all the citizens Of the u
nited States have an equal right to settle
with their property in the Territories, and
that under the decisions of the Supreme
Court, which we recognize as an exposition
OF the Constitution, neither their rights Of
person or of property can be destroyed or
impaired by Congressional or Territorial
legislation.
This resolution was never actually con-
sidered by the Charleston Convention. It
was introduced after The previous question
had been ordered on the proposition to pro-
coed to ballot for President, and consequent
iy, ruled out of order. It did not originate
in the Tennessee delegation nor was there
any general understanding with the Middle
States that the delegate from Tennessee,
Mr.. Howard, should offer it; for it was
known that he had declared an inveterate
hostility to Judge Douglas. We are well
satisfied, that had this resolution been SUBJ
mitted, at the proper time, to the friends Of
the minority report, and proposed as com
promise of the different views of policy ex-
listing among the various delegations, it
would have been accepted. Had Alabama
and her followers gone into the Convention
in spirit of Cancellation and fraternity, in
stead Of assuming dictatorial and offens-
lively superior air, there would not have
been any difficulty in the adjustment of the
discordant opinions. The Tennessee reso-
luton was not looked upon as insuperably
Objectionable to the friends of Judge Doug
las. On the contrary, we know that some
of the controlling minds of the Northwest
ern delegation expressed themselves salts
fed with it, as had the New York delega-
ton. 1t could have been adopted without
difficulty, as an original proposition, or
even at the time it was introduced, had it
not been decided to be out of order. FITS
adoption, however, was not what the Sc
ceding States desired. The leading spirits
of those delegations we're bent upon dissolv-
ing the Convention and disintegrating the
Democratic party, as the initiatory step to
a precipitation Of the cotton States into a
revolution" and the establishment Of a
Southern Confederacy."
While this was very clearly the policy
and design of Mr.. Yancey in insisting upon
the adoption of the majority report as sine
qua non to the unity of the Convention,
others there were who deemed it polite
coalition to join Mr. Yancey in his extreme
demand, with a view to the accom- lishnent
of different object. That object was the
defeat of Judge Douglas at every hazard,
with the hope of advancing the claims of
particular favorites, even though the very
existence of the Democratic party and the
Union itself were jeopardised by it.
We feel perfectly satisfied that the Ten
ressee resolution, which seems to be gener-
ally acceptable to the Democratic press Of
the South, will constitute no barrier to the
determination of the whole Democratic party.
The friends of Judge Douglas will inter-
pose no objection to It's adoption; nor will
they encourages e spirit of captious adhe-
renee to any immaterial points Of sectional
difference. We believe that the Democracy
of the North west and the North are equally
sound and conservative with the party South
Their tealt5 to our organization is daily test
ed by an ever present conflict with Black
Republicanism, which naturally not only
develops their intrinsic appreciation of prin-
ciple, but enlivens their antipathy to an or
ganization whose evils we are only acquaint'
ed with through the perusal of the newspa-
pers, but which they feel by actual and tan
gible collision.
If the Tennessee resolution will prove tc
be the olive branch to the seeding States
the instrument of harmony and unity
then it could doubtless be adopted. We
anticipate no disaffection at Baltimore. On
the contrary, we expect to witness gener-
Gus exhibition of a spirit of nationality, and
the manifestation Of an enlarged patriotism
which will obliterate all traces of differ
ences upon impractical, irrelevant and in
tangible questions, with those whose heart:
throb for the success of the Democratic party
and the perpetuity of the Union. AS to
those who neither desire the concentration O.
the Democratic organization, or the exis
tence Of the Union, we honestly confess te
feeling of Indifference towards their con:
ciliation, and shall neither by word or ac1
advance one step towards their reconcilia-
ton. Cherishing, as some of them do, a
total disregard for the compromises which
have become part of the compact of our
national existence, they would acquiesce in
any terms of settlement that might at this
time be adopted, to avail themselves Of a
more favorable opportunity to effect a wider
breach and precipitate more significant
and permanent disaster upon our party and
the country. With those who wish the good
of the Democracy and the country, there
will be no difficulty of utilization and agree.
,nnot WITH Abacn 1vbo oro =, NJ ori11, 4 oc,