Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1860-08-25
t.,noucu.iue Correspondence.
rLAQrEMiSE, August I'D, ISL

rIAQUEMiSE, August I'd, looo.
Trt1oR Srear PLANTER -Dear Sir: I am an old
Wig. but thinking there was no chance tor the eiec-
ton of Bell and Everett, had made up my nina 10
vote for Breckinridge and Lane upon the ground that
they represented the true interests Of The South upon
the subject of slavery in the Territories OF our coun-
try. l went 10 their support in good faith, and had.
of course, every reason to believe that the friends Of
Mr.. breckenridge upon the first opportunity, would
carry out the principles for which they were conten-
ding. You may therefore imagine my surprise. when
my attention was called to the following resolution,
introduced in the Senate of the United States during
its last session, by Mr.. BROWN, of Mississippi, as an
amendment to a resolution of Mr.. DAVIS, and received
the support Of but three Democratic Senators The
resolution was as follows
"Heso7rel, That expe Renee having already shown
that the Constitution and the common law IN
aided by statutory provisions, do not afford adequate
and sufficient protection to slave property, some OF
the Territories having failed, others having refused
to pass such enac.ments, 1t has become the duty OF
Congress- to interpose and pass such laws as will af-
ford to slave property in the Territories that protec-
ton which is given to other kinds Of property"
This resolution containing the very principle for
which l had gone to the support Of Mr.. Breckenridge,
when presented for action to the Democratic Senators
of the party in the Senate of the United States, wds
poted dozen, receiving but three votes. But this was
not all. Mr.. BROWN had introduced a bill for the
protection of slave property in Kansas. This bill was
sent to the committee on Territories, and was never
reported in any shape for the consideration of Con
gress. So little importance did they attach to the
practical work ings of their principles, that a bill to
protect slave property in the Territories, the very
thing for which they are contending before the peo-
pie, is permitted to die in the hands of the Commit
tee on Territories. Nr. Brown, in speaking on the
re,olution OF Iir. DAVIS, made use of the following
language
9 Does anybody believe that you are to have pro-
lection to slave property under these resolutions
that you are passing here What protection Will
they afford to anybody? Who is TO te punished un-
der them2 They 90 not wear even tie outside sem
blance of law. What / want is a law which shall
point the man who pliers my slave property TO pris-
on houses and strong bars aud bolts, and tell him,
There, sir, will be your resting place if you steal
your %neighbors PROF erty.' If that be not sufficient,
then l would point him to the galowS, and say,
.sir, that will be your end. if you keep not your
hands off your ~neighbors property but these gen
t.eHen seem 10 think that the negro thieves in the
Territories, who spirit away slave property by the
under ground railroad. may be driven away gently as
You would drive a flock of gentle doves, that you
have nothing to do, but 10 pass FIVE resolutions, and
they viii scatter. Sir, they will laugh your resolu-
tons TO scorn, and 20 on just as they are now. If
tleFe y u any genuine purpose 10 aHoTu projection U
slave property in the Territories. do 50 noto. All else
than this Is mere inoon>lIne. Ii here be such q pur-
pose, then l would ask the Hon. Senator at the head
of the Committee On Territories, why it is that a bill
Of nine introduced ninety days ago, has been permit
TED to lie from that day TO this Enacted on"
Now if tie leaders Of The Breckenridge party, think
proper to refuse to carry out the PRINCIPLES upon
which the party is based. Why should we, who are
only the rank and file, t oubl- ourselves about giving
it our support? If the issue is not worthy their
eouuter.ance swlat reason have they 20 expect sthat
we VIII give it our aid and assistance Is it net II
farce FOR us to permit ourselves to become excited
and ANXIOUS to secure what We hal believed was a
great political right, when the leaders of the party |
treat it with scorn aud contempt? As for me l have
determined to associate with no party, that will re-
TO carry out the principles for which they are
l would rather and will cast my vote |
for the Constitutions al Union candidates.