The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-07-06

question, and nc ground had ever oeen taken
anon II. il is possible that we might orins up
many gentlemen 10 the point OF passing pro-
position TO protect slavery 10 the Territories ;
hut when they have stood upon non-interven-
t;on for Ten wears when all their conventions
have adopted il, ask you is II possible tnat lhey
can be prepared at this time, to turn right a
bort and 90 for intervention. It does not help
the matter at all, that this thing IS heio up IN
futuro. Suppose il be said that "whehe'eF 4"
Is necessary, Congress must iesislate 10 Pro'rc'
slave property :" the AbolltIonists "ou'u say
m this canvass, at will be necessary as soon as
the presidential election is over, you carry the
dav." They will say that OF course. Our
friends, perhaps, may dispute It, and say they
think it will be long time before 1t IS necesSa-
~ but that is the argument they VIII have 10
meet. The AboItionists will hold up al the
bloodv slave codes from the time OF Draco down
and tell the northern people that this is the 'uu-
sic they have got TO face. II we are gong to
leoislaie at all, have no doubt on earth It
would be better for US to pass a statute now, de-
claring that slave and all other property should
he protected in all the Territories Of the United
States during the territorial condition ;
because men would see that statute, would
know what It meant, and have better chance
10 defend it.
But again. Mr.. President, it is argued that
there are differences of opinion on the subject
Of non-intervention and the meaning OF the
Cincinnati platform. really do not think
there is any difference ofoPlnlon as far as the
action OF Congress is concerned. L THINK no
man can read that platform, or the Nebraska
bill, or the speeches on that occasion, without
seeing that we are all agreed 50 tar as con-
yressionaI action is concerned. have extracts
from the speeches of many southern Senators
and REPRESENTATIVES upon the occasion OF the
massage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, but L DO
not choose to read them. In the first place,
the argumentum ad hominem is not very con-
vinc,ng one TO an intelligent mind In the
next place, to show that this vas the universal
opinion OF the party then, as l could do in this
way, should have to take up the time OF
the Senate to too great length, and should also
perhaps, ,'oblige gentlemen TO make explanation
of .heir positions. But think it abundantIy
clear that Congress was not to interfere with
the subject that the difference of opinion
was upon the point after that-what would be
the effect of congressional non-interventlon.
Some gentlemen said that the Territories might
legislate TO protect slavery, but not to prohIblt
1t. Others said they might legislate either to
prohibit it OF not. This question, from necessl-
ty, is one that the courts must determine. sup
pose law is passed by a Territorial Leglsla-
ture who determines its constitutionaIity and
validity The courts. Our opinion will not
control the courts. Suppose the Senate should
resolve unanimously that particular thing
was legal and constitutional the Supreme Court
or anv other court, would not be bound to adopt
it at all. There is, in fact, no difference, as
far as the action of Congress is required, on the
subject. We differ as to what the court VIII
decide about the power of Territory. |, for
example, believe, and have said again aud again
that think the court will hold, that Terrific
rial Legislature has right to protect property,
and cannot legislate against it. think so.-
Somebody else entertalhs on opposite opinion
II is necessarily judicial question.
But again, sir, it is said that the Cincinnati
platform, with the doctrine OF non-InterventIof
is construed differently by diferent'peoPle. Sc
is the Constitution of the United States ant
vet we have never thought proper to make {
new Constitution. So is the Bible the church
es have divided about It for the last two thou
sand wears or more and yet Providence ha
rot thought proper to favor US with new Bl
bIe Nobody has asked IT. Perhaps | an
wrong-I believe the Aboiitonists have SAT-
that the times demanded an antl-savery God
and they have made for themselves new con
stItution IN the ''higher law" and, for aught
know, they may adopt Joe Smiths Mormon b
bic. They have easily found divinity
John Brown and some of them are relying
they say, eon him, and him hanged" Br
I do not find that any considerable portion {
the Christian world asks for new divinity or
different Bi5le, and yet they differ about 1t.
with regard to the Constitution. l. turns ou
therefore, that the Cincinnati platform stanc
10 the same position with these other great IL
struments in this respect.
What has occurred since 1886 | was
member of the convention when that platiort
was adopted at Cincinnati, and it was unan
mously adopted, and was satisfactory. Whi
has occurred since | know OF nothing th'
is supposed to have any bearing upon 1t, exceI
the Dred Scott decision. If gentlemen sa
that that ought TO be part of our platform,
doubt whether anybody will object. Ever
Democrat that know OF yields TO the decision
of the courts on questions OF that kind. pr
fer, though, taking the decision itself TO an
mans commentary upon ii, just as would pr
fer adopting the Bible to the views OF an
commentator. If | should attempt to read
any court what somebody said was former d
csion, the Judges would stop me, and sa
"Give us the decision itself - because II
Judges know their opinions, and can EXPIRE
them better than anybody else.
But, Mr.. President, [ may say that | lot
upon platforms for candidates very much as
,lo upon the weights that arc put upon horse
think the less Of platform you hamper
candidate with, generally, so you express yo
principles clearly, the better; Just as the le
weight you put upon horse, the better ra
he runs. L have great many rights that we
-, - Iba H;nr;npa1; platEorno do nof o