Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-26
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BANSANA~AN-N-
vass is its sectional character.
The power of Congress to destroy slavery or to
exclude it from the Territories is declared to exist
and the pledge is given to the country that 1t sha
be promptly and efficiently exerted. In the States
it is not now considered rghtful subject for egls
lation by Congress- but in the progress OF the trl
umph that this party and its candidate nave prom
Used to themselves, the constitutional power 10 ue
stroy the institution in the several States where II
exists will be secured and exercised, though one |
half OF our country be laid waste in the enterprise
All enlightened and conservative men oppose |
themselves instinctiyey to this purpose, athouSh
series Of most untoward events have enabled the !
party that entertains 1t to take possession Vi e'eiy
Northern State and finally approach the federal
capital while an overwhelming majority OF the peo-
pie despise its fanaticsm and injustice
Mr.. Bell opposed to the aggressive ana POSITIVE
policy of the Republicans only general declaration
of dissent accompanied with the pledge that the
Constitution should be respected and the laws en-
forced. Mr.. Douglas-emlnent tor his decided nos
tlity TO the republicans and especially engaged IN
jealous opposition to their scheme OF congressional
usurpation in the Terrtories-OppOses to their pol
lev the suggestion that the people of the Territories
NAV BY indirection, do that which 1t would be un-
constitutional for either Congress or terrific
rial government to do by direct legislative enact
ment. Mr.. Breckenridge processing the same po-
litica faith with Mr.. Douglas, and like HIM, eSpe-
caly engaged in opposition to the territorial polcy
of the republicans to their assault on the
Constitution manly and responsive lssue-ulfect'
logical, ard conclusive!
Mr. Lincoln declares that Congress shall exclude
or destroy in the Territories the properly whlGh
the STAKEHOLDER possesses in his slaves Mr. brecK-
inrdge declares that Congress SHALL II need De-
Yrotecf rather than exclude or Destroy property;
and in this distinct he defends the Constitution
and the equality Of the States
Neither the passive and negative pollcy Vi MI
Bell nor the theory of territorial sovereignty eX-
pounded BY Mr. Douglas. satisfies the crisis. The
former avoids rather than opposes the declaration
of faith on which Mr.. Lincoln proposes to organize
the Federal Administration; the latter substitutes
another form of aggression, no less unconstitutional
and under the actual circumstances, not less enec
tive as measure of exclusion, when applied to slave
property in the Territories.
While therefore, it is desirable that the people OF
the United States should be united in opposition TO
the republican party and to the election OF MI LIN
coin it is due to Mr. Breckenridge and to those who
sustain him that the philosophy of his position
should be appreciated. For whether this union be
effected and cOnsummated in the defeat OF Mr. LIN
coin, or whether that gentleman be elected fresl-
dent the Constitution and the Union can only be
preserved by meeting directly the issue presented
by those who nominated him at Chicago, and who
now represent the anti-slavery sentiment OF the
country.
In our early history the sentiment Of the people
was more general in opposition to the institution OF
slavery as abstract question, than II IS at the
present time; but they always considered and treat
ed it as subordinate the general welfare and po-
cal tranquility of the country, and recognized II
as an institution under the protection Of the Con-
stituton and the laws. But the West India enamel
patton agitation IN Great Britain has extended to the
United States; and at the moment when the former
country realizes the empirical nature of the reform
which this measure proposed the latter is likely to
incur in giving it effect, the hazard of dissolution
| of its Governments and the horrors of civil war.
Ii cannot be supposed that the Union OF the states
| will be preserved when the Constitution is Ion
ger respected. and it is not reasonable TO suppose
that the fraternal spirit and patriotism of people
will indure without injury the shock of such pres
dential canvass as is now progressing. Ii IS there
fore the duty of the Czens to oppose the election OF
Mr.. Lincoln at all points and by all honorable means
and by all possible combinations that do not involve
q sacrifice of honor and principle. If only for the
purpose of giving peace and tranquility to the cOun-
| try the issue itself presented by him should be
distinctly met and opposed; and this cannot be ef
fected in any better way than by the support OF NJ
| Breckenridge.
! The Supreme Court of the United States has de-
cided that "the right of property IN slave Is dis
tinntIv and expressly affirmed in the Constitution,
/ and the Chief Justice very pertiTently observed
that "no laws usagcs of other nations, or reason
! iEg of statesmen OF jurists upon the relations OF
master and slave. can enlarge the powers of the
! Government or take from the citizens the rights
| they have reserved
1t is only necessary. then to subordinate the ques
ton of slavery to the Constitution and the laws; fol
| although the abstract question may be worthy OF
attention. OF ethics or morals, yet, no matter
what may be its solution, it can only Be made tn,
suhiect-matter of Congressional. State or Terrific
rial legislation in sub0rdinaton to the constitution
| Of the United States.
This is the principle OF nan Intervention to which
| Calhoun. Webster. Clay and Cass subscribe II
| $50 ard to which Mr.. Bell. Ir. Douglas, and Mr.
Breckenridge have each seyCrally asscnted; and Il
our observations upon their professions at the pre-
sent iuncture the true point OF inquiry Is to ascer
tain whether they consistent with tins prinCpIe
They profess entire fidelity TO it, and Mr.. Douglas,
! would seem considers his identification with thos
who gave Il effect in the legislation Of the cOuntr,
as constituting his chief claim the support Of hi
/ countrvmcu. Why. then. should find any diff
Guilty in uniting the friends OF each in opposition
Mr. Lincoln! The answer to this inquiry will revea
| a grcat want of magEanimity: and those TO whom
this observation justly applies however emlncn
their personal or political character should be he'll
responsible for the election of Mr.. Lincoln.
Ii is to trife with the occasion for Democrats I
dispute with each other to the regularity OF TIN
or that nomination. when the fact Is so simple an
notorious that the regularly delegated convention
failed TO make 4 nomination. and that NJ. Breckin
ridge and Mr.. Douglas have been nominated by sec
tons only Of the Democratic party 1t Is too late
review the causes of this failure to effect regular
nomination. but it remains for those who have bee
thus separated to rally TO the support OF the prIn
cples of the party and to sustain the candidate VIII
Loyalty accepts them, and avows his readiness I
apply them to the crisis i'll which we are now er
gagged.
In my Judgment that candidate is John c BrecL
ilridge and while deeply regret the want Of han
muny in the Democratic party. and sincerely rcspeC
many Of those who sustain Mr.. Douglas will ne
withhold the expression OF my opinion that he Is nc
consistent with his own professions and principles
and that the practical effect Of his canvass is t
bring into power the antslavery sentiment Of tn
country and thus give full development to sectona
fanatcism. The issue is simple and the attention
Of the people should be confined to it.
Neither Congress nor a Territorial Legislator
can prohibit slavery. interfere to the prejudice
the Shareholder in his slave property. Such Is tn
adjudication of the Supreme Court of the Unite
States Mr.. Lincoln Tepudiatcs the authority OF tn
Court and assaIls the Constitutional right Of tn
citizen through congressional legislation. Mr.. DOUs
las processes submission its authority, but his pC
siton affords a mode by which the citizen may b
deprived of his Constitutional right through Ter
tOrial legislation.
Mr. Reverdy johnson, in his letter under date {
May 18th, addressed to John Clancy, chairman
the Committee of Arrangements for the Dough-
nestigV. held in New York on the 22d May, rcterrIn
TO the question of Territorial power involved
the opinion of tie United States Supreme Court
the bred Scott repeats what he has heretotor
submitted to the public in political pamphlet Dc
| claring explicitly that there Is not word IN I'll
opinions of either Of the judges, even, tending
prove that the Court any judge, intended to pas
upon the question or esteemed it before them; the
examined only the power of Congress. the sole on
presented for Judgment.
To combat this declaration, note the very eWpla
ic words of the Chief Justice, referring to the al
sence Of all power the part of Congress to PR
hiblt exclude slavery from the Territories OF til
United States, viz:
Ind II Congress Itself cannot do htS-y IL IS b
yoHd he PO,CerS conferred the Federal GOUer7met
leu be admitted presume that could not dtLOrL
Il Territorial Government to exercise them. II con-
confer 40 pOJser d3y !Ocdt government established
its authority to rioIHe the provisions OF The COnSti1
ton"
I | refer TO this letter OF Mr.. Johnsop's BECAUSE
presents clearly and distinctly the only real point
l difference between Democrats at the present day.
Mr.. Douglas not only avails himself of Mr.. JOhr
ssdccaratlOn that the question is still open, an
that Individual Democrats may fairly and reasons
bly, entertain the opinion that Territorial Legis
ture may prohibit slavery. but he distinctly ayow
the opinion that matter what may be the a.
Stract Constitutional right of the stakeholder IN IL
Territories, the Territorial Legislature cannot be II
crfcred with by Congress. even when 1t asSalls an
destroys that right by indirect legislation
Whatever nay be thought Of the legal soundne'
Of Mr.. JohnsOn's opinion. all will concur in rcgre
ting tina; Mr.. Douglas should have - far departe
from the law cXpounded by the Supreme Court ]
% the occupation of his position and hereatte
q whether Mr. Lincoln be elected President Of II
y United States or not and though the people OF ii
Southern States may appear distracted and divide
IN political sentiment and opinion. yet all will uni
d IN jealous reputation Of the policy that woul
substitute Tor cOggTeSSiONUl lLggUDgtiJn the DANCE