The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-11-28


Abolitionists and Free soiers, and have
been acquiesced in by the Southern peo-
pie as well as by their Senators and Rep
resentatives, under the present and pre-
ceding administrations of the Federal
Government. Consequently, it is fair to
presume that the South, SO far from de
manding the repeal of the existing laws
upon the subject of slavery as essential to
her safety and equality in the Union, will
insist upon their being retained upon the
statute book. and faithfully executed.
Nor. are we permitted to infer that the
Southern people require any additional
legislation by Congress on this subject,
for the reason that the. Southern 4Sena-
tors and Representatives. have not intro
duced and advocated any changes in the
existing legislation upon the slavery ques-
tion under the present Administration and
that OF Mr. Pierce, when the Abolition
lists and Free,soilers were in the minority
in both Houses of Congress 80
Assuming, therefore, that the Southern
people and their Senator'S and Represen-
tatives deem their rights and institutions
entirely safe under the Constitution and
laws as they now stand, and only desire
to be let alone, without any interference
by Congress with their domestic concerns,
the question arises whether Mr. Lincoln
and his party will have the power, even if
they have the disposition, to disturb or
impair. the rights and institutions of the
South, either in the States or Territories
or in the District of Columbia? They
certainly can not do it under the existing
laws. Will they have the power to repeal
or change these laws, or to enact others?
II is well known that they will be in a
minority in both houses Of Congress. with
the Supreme Court against them. In the
Northern States there have been elected
already sufficient number of Democrat
ic members of Congress, bold and true
national men, pledged to the Cincinnati
platform and the doctrines of non-inter-
vention by Congress with the question Of
slavery in the States and Territories, and
the District of Columbia, who, added to
the Southern Representatives, will give at
least twenty majority against Mr. Lincoln
and his party on all the questions. In
the Senate there is also a decided and
reliable majority. Hence no bill can pass
either house Of Congress impairing or
disturbing the rights or institutions of the
Southern people in any manner whatever,
u,,less portion of the. Southern Senator's
and Representatives absent themselves so
as to give an Addition majority IN conse-
quence of their absence. ...ss5ss
| In a minority in both houses of Con-
gress, with the Supreme Court to expound
the laws and restrain all Illegal and un-
constitutional acts, the President will be
utterly powerless for evil, if he should
have the disposition to do wrong. Even
in the distribution of his patronage, be
would be dependent upon the Senate for
the confirmation of his nominees to Office.
SO that he can not appoint a bad man to
4 Office without the consent of those in whom
the South confdes A partisan President,
! thus tied hand and foot, powerless for good
or evil, without the consent of his politi-
cal opponents, should be the object of pity
and commiseration, rather than of fear
and apprehension, by a brave and chiv-
alrous people. What good or harm can
he do to any body, except to humble the
pride and wound the Sensibility of large
portion of the American people by occu-
pying the chair once filed by Washington
Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson? Does
this fact furnish sufficient cause for des.
ltroying the best Government of which the
history of the world gives an example?-
I -Four years will soon pass away, when the
ballot box will furnish peaceful, lega
and constitutional remedy for all the evil,
and grievances with which. the country
may be afflicted.
Il If, in the mean time; any act shall be
.Eperpctrated which shall violate or impair
! the rights of any citizen. or State, or shall
endanger the peace and safety Of any por.
ton of our people for which the Constitu
tion and laws shall fail to provide ade
] quate and Efficient remedies, the time will
then have arrived for those who think the
Constitution has been disregarded and tn,
! Federal power perverted to purposes in
J consistent with their safety, honor anG
equality, to- consult and deliberate upor
J the nature, extent and mode of redress
} do not anticipate. nor do l deem i
} 1possible in the present condition of th'
] country, that, under the Administration
}. of Mr. Lincoln, any act can be perpetra
: ted, that would destroy or impair tn,
3 Constitutional rights of the citizens
or invade the reserved rights of the State
t upon the subject of slavery: but, if
, should find myself painfully mistaken OF
. this point, have no hesitation in expires
sing nay deliberate conviction that sucl
t an outrage would not only make tn,
: Southern peoples unit, but would erous
. and consolidate all the conservative Gle
. ments of the North in firm and determin
, ed, resistance, by overwhelming major
? Iities. IS o1 Oh
IT In such an event. the South would oc
cupy an impregnable position With be
own paonla unifod ena animated Inn an,