The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1860-05-17
The Approaching Contest.

Never before in the history Of this country has
the public mind been more deeply stirred, in re-
spect to coming political events than now. An
earnest feeling peryades all classes of thinking
men; the issues to be met will settle the policy
of the nation for coming time The motives that
stir men to action, differ essentially from those
which have had control in former Presidential
contests. In the memorable campaign of 1840
the political excitement was intense yet it was
an excitement of feeling and passion, rather than
contest for vital principles. Men { huzzaed,
inflated with enthusiasm--rsn to and fro, yet
scarcely knew for what great policy of govern
ment they were contending or what funda-
mental principles, were togbe gained by the sue
cess Of any particular candidate. The issues
then between the two prominent parties of the
day, were indstinctly defined; anti. slavery or
Pro.slavery attached about asm uch to q one
side as to the other.
At the present time, the two great parties OF
the country, are arrayed against each other on
issues the most important and VITAL which ever
Bgitated any people or nation. This is every
where seen and felt. Hence in the coming cou-
no sportiYe or unmeaning devices, simply de-
signed to appeal to the passions of men; but
much Of earnest, serious and determined action.
The tide of public sentiment in some gifts phases
cannot be mistaken there is everywhere deep
sentiment predominant, that the present mis-rule
of the government, can be no longer tolerated.
The recent investigations of Congressional com
IL - IS
the administration, such as have scarcely in any
country, disgraced its rulers The demand for
a change in our governmental affairs, is from all
the requarters; but the policy to be pursued,
or the men to be put forward to lead in form,
of course ELECTS various views. There are
three distinct policies which enter prominently
into the arena of public discussion, viz: inter
vention for slavery in new territory; Intervention
against slavery in new territory, and noninter-
vention on the subject of slavery. Which of
these measures can bring peace and quietude to
10 the country? Which will restore it to the
policy that actuated our foreiathers? Manifestly
the non-intervention policy,is the most mschiev
GUS Of them all; this is the modern invention of
popular sovereignty, of which Mr.. Douglas
stands the representative The trainers of the
government were interveptionists the early |
statesmen of the country established boundaries
and assigned limits to slavery. This is precisely
what the republican party Of the present day
propose to do.
The non interv entionists the abetors Of slave
~ agitation-the meters OF continual conflict
for supremacy between freedom and Slavery
Ever since the adoption of the Missouri Compro.
misc, and the Inauguration of the popular SOW
erignty doctrines Of Douglas, the country has
been the scene of exciting conflicts on the guess
ion of slavery. And so long as slavery and free
dom are given equal rtghts-leaving, the suprem-
acy to be determined by numerical force in the
territories of the Union, SO long will there be
bitter strife and dangerous collisions The |
south see this, and hence their utter repugnance |
OF Douglas and popular sovereignty. Not hing |
can be more obvious to any rejecting mind, than |
the necessity of settling the question fully and
enduringly, whether freedom or slavery are to |
rule the country their acknowledged equality |
by the general governmental can result in nothin g
but continual mischief, tending to anarchy. Of
all the theories devised for governmental rule none
have ibeen fraught with such mischief and
distraction, as the non-intervention dogma of pop-
ular sovereignty. 1t unsettles everything, 1t
invites hostile armies TO battle array, and opens
the door for civil war and bloodshed, in every
Territory hereafter to be organized.
"a Let no one, therefore, be misled by any false
issue let the question be fairly met, whether
this government shall recognize Intervention for
freedom and right, or whether it is powerless to
give freedom and establish justice within its
entire territorial domain