The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-01-11
THE REAL ISSUE.

The issue between tho democratic and
republican parties, as presented in their
last Presidential platforms, is not whether
slavery is right or wrong 1t is not de-
clared to be right in, the Cincinnati plat
form. In the democratic party as greata
diversity of opinion exists, as in any 9TH
er, in regard to the slavery question:
Two thirds of those who comprise the
democratic party reside in non-slaSehold-
ing States, and doubtless prefer the free
free labor to the slave labor system. In
fact, nearly all the new States have come
into the Union under democratic auspices,
and it is worthy of remark, that in every
Territory where the democracy were in
the ascendancy, the people proceeded
quietly in the formation of constitutions
prohibiting slavery within their own linn
its and obtained admissions into the
Union, without encountering any serious
opposition, or disturbing the peace of the
country.
There are democrats in the non-slave-
holding States, who esteem the institution
of slavery in the States where it exists,
as beneficial 10 both races, and wo occa-
sionslly hear republican express the
same opinion. But il is not upon that
question that parties divide. The ques-
ton in 1856, was whether Congress pos
sessed the constitutional power to prohib-
it slavery in the Territories of the United
States, or whether the bona fide inhabit-
ants of such Territories should determine
the character Of their own domestic insti-
tutious for themselves. A vast and over
whelming majority of the people of the
United States decided in favor of leaving
the question TO be settled by those who
were directly interested in it, and not by
Inhabitants of distant States. Since then
the Supreme Court of the United States
has decided that Congress has no right to
interfere with the local legislation of the
Territories. Thus by the concurrent, po-
litical and judicial action of the govern
ment has our Territorial policy been set
tied. -. -,.- - 80 t...~. co.'s .
The only question now is whether we
will abide by that settlement ornot. That
is all that is left Of the great issue upon
which the battle of 1856 was fought
There e,howeyer, several collateral ques-
lions having reference more or less, direct
ly to the right of the southern States to
maintain slavery, which are agitated by
the republicans, The opposition TO the
fugitive slave law, and the resistance
which is made TO its execution, betray n
reckless disregard to constitutional obliga-
lions on The part of nothern men, which,
ifpursued to,its logical consequences, will
inevitably result in such expeditions rs
John Browns. sfs 49,
Under the decision of the Supreme
Court, there can be no farther political ac-
ton Of the general government, OH the sub
jet Of slavery, without approaching upon
the constitutional rights Of the slavehold.
ing States. Every man in the North or
South, even, who dissepts from the views
of those who regard slavery as great
evil, is denounced by the republicans as a
doughface or yinhuman wretch. This
you'd not be done If they contemplated
no interference wi, slavery in the States
where il exists, because in regard to al
other abstract questions of right and
wrong, they are exceedingly liberal. d, If
we mean to let slavery alone, it is not n
matter Of Observation-Disclosures wheth-
or man considers itSight or wrong. Aud
we believe Chat a very large proportion,
of those who have heretofore acted With
the republican party, mcan 70 leave that
question where the. founders. of our gov
erhhem lefts it Ifsso, they must, and
inevitably will separate from ahc more
aggressiye and apatics Of their associa,
tes,iat noyory distant daysis 3 ss.
milwaukee Daily News.
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