The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-09-05

NON lulervensIon and the Union,
A momsnyk slec,lon win satisfy any
candid man that Non Intervention. or the
right Of enek Staseto manage its own affairs
n ils own way, 4 ihe great principle upon
which our UDioh is founded. l. is this
which preserves the liberties Of the people
sndth sovereignty Of the States, and with.
out which the Federal Government would
become despolism. Il is agreed on all
hands that Congress cannot interfere with
slavery In the States. because the COnstitu-
tion recognizes it as local institution un-
der the exclusive control OF the States in
which it exists.
One Of the most disturbing questions tho,
has ever arisen in our national politics, is
this-whetber Congress shall intervene
either for the prohibition or protection Of
slavery in the Territories. II has arrnyed
the parties which take the two sides Of the
question against each other in a fierce sec
lionnl warfare that threatens the integrity
and safety OF the Union.
To the contending parties, the Natioual
Democracy presents the olive branch O.
Non Intervention. 1t asks that the same
principle which ell parties recognize 10 re,
gard to slavery in the Stntes, shall be ap
piled 10 the Territories. This policy com
mends itself TO oil uDprejudiced minds et
not only in accordance with the spirit of the
Constitution, but os eminently just in itself
In fact, our territorial history proves that I
is really the only practical policy. Inter
vention can never serve any other purpose
than TO SOW the seeds OF dssension and dis.
union. Practically, the people Of an organ
lied Territory ,OiR always settle the slavery
question for themselves.
Such being the case, and we think few
reasonable men will dissent from the pro-
positions we have laid down, the right course
for conservative and Union men Of every
party name to pursue, seems to be plain and
straight forward before them. 1t is, to rail-
ly Ground the standard OF Non Intervention,
which is conservative alike of the lberite;
of the people and the integrity Of the Union
and pours oil ON the troubled waters of sec.
tional strife. The popular voice clearly in
dicates that the main body, at least ninety
nine one bundredlhs of the people Nor,l
and South, will be satisfied and rejoice il
such settlement of the vexed question o
slavery. 1t commends itself to their sense
Of justice Ind right, and will inaugurnte
new eriis our politics Of peace and goo'
twill.
tits admitted tiiat there is at present bu
one political organization that fully develops
and presents this principle, and that is th'
National Democracy. There is but on,
Presidential candidate, who sustains ths
Non Intervention doctrine to its full extent
and rests his popularity with the people up
on its advocacy. That candidate is S,epher
A. Douglass, While other candidates maj
be as sincere as helm their professions Q
love and devotion to the Union. i, c11Sot be
questioned that bis position as U Usionl can,
didate is pre.emiuently above them alIsil
this--that il tends directly to a reeoncilia.
BON Of the wsrring political elements, Il, 9
Ast settlement Of the great slhattef insu6n.
Eoveray, and to an immediate restoration o
peace and harmony to the distracted coun.
try. We do not ask that Judge Douglas
shall be rated above what his merit and pub
lie services may justify but we do invite
conservative and patriotic men Of all parties
to examine well and candidly the position
now occupied by him before the American
people, and decide whether they can recon.
cile it to their judgment and their conscien.
ces not to cast their votes for him, on the
sixth of November. ~