Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-03-29
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IL mas Deea the labor OF the Opposition press IN
the South for years past to make the impression
on the public mind, that the evils threatening the
country in connection with the slavery question arc
as much attributable if not more. to the Democratic
party than to te ant-zsvery fanatics Of the North;
aud many have gone so far as to indicate readiness
to Join with these same anti-savery fanatics in
making common warfare against the National Demo
cracy. This position is sought to be maintained on
the ground that the Democracy have originated and
kept alive the agitation of this vexed question Of
slavery A position more untenable could not have
been assumed, and yet it has answered the double
purpose of misleading those at the South, whose
minds were already prejadiced against the Demo
cratic party and of covering up the fithlessness Of
those Opposition leaders, who have misrepresented
and betrayed the rights and interests of their own
section upon this question.
No party has laborcd so faithfully to quiet agi-
tation" on this question as the National Democ-
racy. No party in the South has done anything to
keep it alive but those who have control Of and
who have given direction to the Southern Opposi-
ton. For instance, it is matter of history
that in the very inception of Abolitionism the
Democratic party IN Congress, North and South,
unitea in a vigorous effort TO exclude its discus
sion from that body, and TO this end resisted for
years the Introduction of Abolition petitions, upon
the Just ground thst Congress ought not to re-
eeive and consider petitions upon subjects over
which they have no control They sought to re
Ject these petitions upon the same ground they
would be justified in refusing to consider petitions
praying that Polygany might be legalized through
ont the country. or that Congress should declare
dissolution Of the Union Leaders Of the South
ern Opposition, among them Mr. BELL, opposed the
course Of the Democratic members AMI took side
with JONI Quincy ADAMS and other Abolition
members in their efforts to have the question made
one for constant petition to Congress. VINO were
the agitators 81
again, Missouri applied for admission into the
Union as a slave-holding State. Avioent resistance
was made to her admission by the Northern Opposi-
ton on the simple ground that it would be an ex-
tension OF slavery; and threatened the peace
Of the country by this abolition clamor that the
South tamely submitted to the passage Of an odous
snd unconstitutional enactment, icaled the Mis-
sori Compromise positively prohibiting the people
Of the South from emigrating wiz. their slave prop
erty North of a given line Who were the ''agi-
tators."
But Que year had passed after that pretended Com
PROMISE in whi2h the South got nothing but the
privilege of keeping half her rights. when it was
shamefully disregarded by these Northern opponents
to Democracy. and has continued to be disregarded
by them forever afterwards Who were the "agi-
5at0rsg'
Upon the acquisition Of Mexican Territory. won
chiefly by the valor of Southern arms in the prose
cution Of Just war that had been opposed and de-
rided At the North an effort was made the partof
Ele Free State Opposition, with the aid Of few Of
their Southern sympathisers to secure the passage
Of what was known as the ~Wilmot Proviso,' pro
hibiting as in the case of the Missouri Compromise
the common territory TO the free enjoyment Of the
people of the Slave States on an equality with those
Of the Free States in order to prevent extension
Of the limits Of slavery. The Southern Democracy,
in their earnest desire to preserve the harmony Of
the Union proposed to yield up their rights SO far
as TO consent to an extension of the Missouri Com
promise line through that territory unconsdtution
al as it was upon condition that that the Opposition
North would pledge themselves to stand byIt in good
faith. This was Indignantly rejected Who were the
.agitators:~
In brief time a handful OF Adventures to the
fruitful territory Of California without law the
color of authority. assembled and drew up an
instrument ia the nature of a Constitution @nd
asked to be admitted into the Union under it as
free State. Because the Southern Democracy re
sisted this outrage another clam0r WAS raised and
once more the Union was in peril Another Uom-
promise was gotten up submitting to the California
syyindlo and batting the South with the fugitive
slave act as IN increase of the means to secure cur
runaway slaves. under the express provision o. the
Federal Constitution, which fugitive slave act has
been expressly, openly and defantly nuligiea in
nearly all of the free States since its passage. Who
were the "agitators2"
The so-calied Missouri Compromise having never
been observed by the NorthcrnOpposiuon andhaving
been viewed in that light in the adoption Of the
rar Compromise Of 1850, when the territory Of
Kansas and Nebraska was organised by act Of Con
res the Democracy sought 10 get rid Of the further
AGITATION Of slavery as q national question by de-
cIarinr that il was not the intention Of Congress
either 70 prohibit or establish slavery in .he terrific
ras but 10 leave that question 90 be determined by
the people themselves subject only to the Consutu-
ti1a uE she Cated States. This was bitterly and
v.ntuous'y opposed by the Northern Opposition,
and failing t. defeat it in Congress by means Of Emf
grant Aid Societies and SHAEP's rifles, they resisted
II yltha band of organized robbers and revolution
lied the territory. Mr.. BELL and others Of the
Southern Opposition co-operated in Congress with
those who opposed the National Democracy On tins
question. Again we ask who were the agitators2'
II viii thus be seen that during the entire history
OF slavery agitation in every instance the Opposition
have been the agrees ors whilst the National Demo-
cracy have stood almost uuaided even at tc South,
in resisting these outragcs and in endeavoring to
fl1n 81
anchor of its safety the Federal Constitution During
this crtra time the ranks of these aHti-slavery ag
grassors have been swelling. and their tyraunical
demands and naughty insolcncc increasing. During |
that entire time. the rcuuan. OF Southern Opposi /
tiouists 60 the South have contributed by every |
means TO weaken the arm of the National Dcmocra-
cv and to encourage the growth of this sectional
mower. While claiming for themselves Superior de
yotiou TO the Union. they have characterized the
Democracy as the worst enemies to that Union. and
70 fix upon them all the ,ponsbility of
the agitation of slavery.
This Isl brief but truthful summary of the his
tory Of slavery agitation for the last forty years
How unjust teu are the charges that Che National
Democracy are sectional nave originated ths aglta-
lion or are seeking dissolution of the Union.
What else can those be- who make the charge but /
,tders and abe,tors OF the only disunion. the only
unconstitutional the only sectional and only sa'ery-
irritating party in the government the Black Re
,ublican Oppositonists. who now stand with power
ul numbers in solid phalaux, eager for the contest
IF 1860. hopeful of obtaining the complete control
md of determining the future policy OF the govern
mont. Let the candid man whose prejudiccs have.
heretofore. induced him to oppose the Democratic
,srtv. pause and reflect The country is IN the
midst Of great difficulties and dangers How else
IAN D, bc saved if the great Democratic party cannot
ave it. Give MS a united South in the next contest
hat our sectional enemies may see that we are not
worms go o.. troIdcn on. and ia a brief time the
government will De found upon a more enduring
basis than ever.
The death of tha Hon Jouy L. RonNsoN. L. s
Marshal OF Indiana. is announced. He was man
Of very brilliant abilities. lie served six years in
Congress. and was at this time the leader OF the
forces In Indiana His loss viii be Sc
yerey felt ly his party friends In recent Ststc
Convention of the Indiana Democrats he was tI.a