Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1860-09-22
GHARLEsTOWN YIRGINIA. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER % 1860

4 WHIP thep@fejected it, or were at least so care
Il Less of its enforcement would counsel or ap-
II prdve a separation of the Democratic party,
B aud PERHAPS of the States also. Because of the
\ unNillingness of others to proclaim theory,
4 which Yves a condemnation of their own
8 Had been member of the Convention,
~ would sternly have refused to add this
thcbry offthe relation between the federal
4 government and the Territories, to the creed
i pf the DeIhocratic party. Nay, SO far from
+ It, would have advised asI have repeatedly
done, the ;atrfking out of those other propo-
ems, re:sting to slavery and other things,
iit.naa now esesRgber what is called the Demo
.cratsc platform tiiilk was grave error,
/ that the rights of hlay4AAolding States, aud
/! the eiobligasions of the federal government: in
iTespect to them, should eveR have been seem
?5ingIy staked upon theissne OF the Presiaen-
! tial election. That these rights whether re-
Esssryed to5he States, or guaranteed 70 them
E.by the constitution, do not really depend
::upon any such contingencies must be evident
/ TO all who know the jealous care, with which
5,they have been guarded by the federal COM
HsFact, from!any invasion by popular major
..:ity. But,t still, they have been SO often put
li:up to bel played for at these Presidential
!: games, thdlE the people have insensibly come
TO suppose that they have no higher sanction
than the popular snferance and that they
|: are to be Etst or retained, with the hazards of
<the confess. They not unnaturally conclude
that if wqi challenge trial of strength, OF
sskill, for such wager, it must be forfeited
ITO the Yinliing party, and that we give a sort
$of eonsenf that it might be >exacted of US
/ Hence the: vague apprehensions of so many
ipersons, OF late years, that the loss of Pres
Isidential election must involve the loss of our
I$reserved d guaranteed rights; and hence
The frequeht threats of Withdrawal from the
| :Unibn, in.such contingency, as the only
:means leffyof preserving the stake, which
sthey feel to have been forfeited, but are still
Edetermined to retain.
+ 1 thinks then, that the convention at
| charleston and Baltimore, was right in
!fusing to connect this doctrine of congress
3sional proteGton of slavery in the Territories,
with tho ct3 issues of tho Democratic party.
| i think, t0i that tie Southern delegates had
:even a strGhger interest than those from the
North, in excepting it from the hazards of a
! Presidential contest. Yet We have seen a
large number of these gentlemen sccedo from
| ;the conveation, and attempt to construct q
jnew political party, for this cause alone.
IS II is not every moral, religious, or even po
| ,itieal truth that should be made the basis
of d POLITICAL party. The supporters of
party are diminished, as its tenets are multi
:pliea. TIE most powerful party would soon
| be reduced to an inconsiderable handful, by
Isexaeting, ss q condition of membership, the
/ belief of new and varied articles of faith,
apart from the objects of its original forma-
! tion There are, even in a Republican Gov
/ !crnpfent, sGme questions at least, that.may
| ;bc wisely left to the disposal of those who
are appointed to settle them. It MAY 10 that
| tine trainers of the constitution erred in vest
| ing the Legislative power in a Congress Of the
| JIniLed States, consisting OF a Senate and
| House Of Representatives, rather than in
vol, ntary iassembly like the Baltimore or
Chicago convention. But it cannot be
/ helped and we must needs submit to the
OCCASIONAL exercise, by Congress, of legsla-
/ tive authoyIty. For my part, 1 dare avow
my iielief That the trainers Of the Constitu-
| ton were Meht; and if any one think differ
entity let him reflect that the present arrange
ment of powers, between these rival bodivs
must continue till such changes are author
lied as shall make voluntary convention
the Legislature.
L cannot then approve the purpose to build
up new party upon the basis of the PROPOSE
ton, which, at Charleston, was made the con-
| dition of continued support of the existing
| Democratic party. A great political party can
only be founded on basis marked by three
distinct requisites or characteristics
FIrSt-It must be permanent, and not tenn
porafy and fugitive. No party can be main
tained uposss question that IS to endure but
for u short time, and then pass away alto
getllet. +
SfcondlS must De uqlSersal I'M ana n0S par.
tai IN ITS appncst!on 70 1ne people a parry .het
cannot DeS4lalhcilneu uPou d quet'Iu 4Ia S,,O
concerns oaly a lew persons anu ho' Tue Seu-
lefal public. Constituted as men ~ are, tney
cannot be persuaded 70 ochoose Ihelr IePresen-
tasNes ana rulers win relerenee 70 sne Misn+
es anu interests OF c1ner peopte' a4I
aey regard TO qoosV0n? % snaS an1'S n 1horl ot
1aftratt In1sO lG pe llieoftanV, Suu noV III