Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-02-03
The Journal Answered. A few Words
about the Differences In our Party -
Are we for Douglas7

Are We for DouglanY
The journal Of this morning desires an ans
swer to several questions, which we shall give
In consideration Of its having undertaken 70
reply to one which we put toit '@Fi ta
The large whig element which Nj. Vallan-
digham represents consists Of that portion Of
the old whig party who cannot follow the
teachings Of sectionalism, who remember the
warning words Of Washington, and who can
never forget the national doctrines taught by
their great leader, CLAY. These meu are sCatA
tered over the whole district. Many Of them
live in Dayton. The committees that were ap.
pointed in 1858 to visit refractory gentlemen
on the Congressional question, can give the
Journal specific information.
Mr.. vallandighama position on the territorial
question. as stated 10 his speech and quoted ia
the journal. is defined in these words; "Equa
rights in the territories !" .I
i We would like to know where the Democrat
Is, either Of the administration. or Of Doug
las, (if we may use such terms) who denies thi'
doctrine. The Journal says this means 9Th,
right to carry slavas into the territories and
hold them there in spite Of the unfriendly leg
islation Of territorial Legislatures" Il meant
no such thing Whatever may be Mr. Vallan,
dighsm's position on the popular sovereignty
question, there is no man in the Democratic
ranks who does not give "equal rights" to the
| South. 1t is the very cardinal doctrine Of the
party on the slavery question 1t is the doc.
trine of truth and justice. Equal rights
they have under the Constitution. We know
Of no clause that diserminAtes between the
North and the South or the East and the West.
But while or this point let us explain little
more.
The Republican party and the slave code
party of the South stand upon one platform Of
principle. The one demands Congressional
interference to put down slavery as a relic Of
barbarism. The other demands il for the esA
tablishmeut aud protection Of slavery as a paA
triarchal and divine institution. Both are
fanatical and extreme. Both violate the fun-
damental principles Of free government. We
of the Democratic party say that to the people
Of the territory belongs the power to regulate
their institutions, and to no one else. Every
true, national Democrat will take this ground.
1t is in the Cincinnati platform. 1t is in every
national Democratic speech in Congress 1t is
true that in our party differences have sprung
up-not upon equal rights in the Territories,
but upon this point--at what TINE shall the
people Of the Territories exercise the power
they possessf Some say in their Territorial
Legislatures; others maintain only when the
State Constitution is formed. Practically, this
question is Of no great Importance. II is an
abstract question. Either doctrine win lead to
the same result, for the people will finally set
themselves just where they desire to be. And
viewing the question in this light Democrats of
Ohio have long ago agresd TO disagree upon
this particular point. They are wise They
are exceedingly wise. Why should we be
striving among ourselves as to the time When
the people of Territory msy regulate their
own affairs, when formidable party in the
North and fiery party In the South would
take away the right to do so at any timer That
would be foolish indeedl And for this reason,
those who believe with Senator Douglas, have
made up their minds to support the nominee of
the Charleston Convention. even upon differ
ent platform than bis own. For this reason
Senator Douglas himself lately proclaimed that
vlthoush he would not accept nomination
support a man standing upon different one.
And for this reason those who profess to beS
lieve with the administration are yet ready and
willing to accept Senator Douglas and his plat
form, il the party at Charleston agree that it 10
the best But Republicans may be sure Of one
thing. The Democracy Of the United States,
particularly Of Ohio, will leave their own differ
eDces to be settled when their common ensmy
and the enemy Of their country is not 10 the field
before them. History has taught them lessons,
and they desire to profit by them. So long as
a formidable party is in the field denying the
right of the people Of Territory to settle their
own domestic institutions, so long will the
Democratic party stand up in battle array, firm,
united, and confident Of victory. When that
enemy is conquered, its banners trampled 10
the dust, and its leaders dead upon the field;
when the Democratic party have vindicated
beyond doubt the rights Of the people, and
have secured them, then they will begin to inh
at which these rights shall be exercised.
For these reasons as against member Of the
Republican party we shall give our hearty sup'
port to Democrat upon either platform. Does
not this answer the Journal plainly and cate
goricallyf
But look at Gov. oorwin's inconsistency.
Protesting to be member Of the Republican
party he Gays, and we quote from the Journal:
81 say, for myself, that IL you have acquired
territory or viii acquire territory, in which the
white man cannot work, | will allow owners
Of slaves in the States to 20 there with their
slaves; and il necessary, ! would vote TO pro-
tect them there" He
The Journal says that this is only corwin's
iadividusl opinion. What other kinds Of opins
ion has hei Aud why should the Journal sup.
port Corwin and denounee Southern meni--
Aud what would the most rabid hre eater ask
more Slavery will never 60, in these days,
where the white man can work. II was tried
in Kansas. Climate killed il of. So that
practically, southern extremists and slave code
men can stand with Gov. Corwin upon one and
the same platform Of principle, and the Dayton
Journal sands there too. How are veto recoDs
cile this differenceS
One word in copelusion. Whether we favor
Douglas nomination is a matter Of no great i'm
portsnce. we suppose, to that distinguished
gentleman. But We have always advocated his
claims aud are now Favorable to his nominA-
tion to the Presidency" Is the Journal an.
sWered3 He Is the choice Of this District, and
| The choira of the State and We hone Lhat hs