Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-16

might be INDUCED towards It, But, 10 the present alu
tuce of the question: nothing but national degradation
can come from its discussion \ few fanatics at the
North and few alarmsts and dsunionsts at the South
keep it up for their purposes. 1t is made 10y them
the chief ingredient in elections and It Is thrust INTO all
the deliberations of Congress 1t has already created
animostes between the people Of the North ana the
South that cannot be Oberated until the present geher
alton shall have passed away. 1t is daily making us more
and more sectional and inimicaL and that must
seriously endanger our national existence none will deny
The question was settled in 1880 but it was not permit
ted to remain Notwithstanding the solemn pledge OF
both the great political parties that should not be as
cussed in Congress or out of Congress- those who con-
troll party affairs could not permit to sleep The Kan
Nebraska bill and the repeal of the Missouri Compro
mise impaired it fresh vitality and it has since ragged
in its most angry and threatening FORM Ii Is now, m
reality little else than abstraction, and discuss IL as
much may, nothing can result from IT, unless, ~
deed should bring about consequences which we pro-
fess desire to avoid The Republican party does not
claim the right interfere with slavery in the States
where it now exists if to judge from its authentic
manestOes We should be cautious in receiving what
few of the ultra amongst them may have SAID IN
speeches as a criterion of general sentiment As well
might be said that all of the Democratic party OF
the South dsunionss for such sentiments have been
uttered by of them yet no one believes that such
the sentiments of the whole party But, II the Re
publican party should entertain desire TO attack
on this question they know perfectly well that to carry
convention took her position in 1851 and so did other
Southern States and, much may prize the Union
we mean to stand firmly on the position have TAKEN
let the consequences be what they may. With this
should be a closed question The Republican party does
claim however the right to exclude slavery from the
territories and this question is that has of late been
prolific of agitation. That should have a perfect
equality of right in the territories will deny but our
politicians surrendered that right The Kansas bill is
perfect deed OF REIMBURSEMENT OF all our rights IN the
IL. & L.
sovereignty in the territories first Swallowed forth IN the
Clss Nicholson letter 1t gave every actual resident
whether naurazed or not the right to vote 1t gave to
the Legislature electedby such voters the right to egs
late all subjects slavery included; it left the people
OF the territories perfectly free TO regulate their insttu
tons in their way, and Congress did not retain
the power 10 aunu the territorial laws, as had done
"a all other territorial bills With the advantage
the North had of peopeing the territories from IT.
abundant population aud from influx OF Foreigners could
any one have been blind the effects and
purposes of this bil2 And why did Southern members
of Congress sustain it, 1t ingenouSly converted
into party measure and hence the party bound to
sustain it, aud there is denying that by its provisions
there the territorial legislature has the right to exclude
slavery. And the odOus principle Of this bill WAS ratii
ed and reahrmed in the Cincinnati platform, and pro-
uouuced 20 be a strictly Democratic principle BY
that celebrated instrument the Democratic party is
pledged to that principle for all future time Mr. Buch
duans lester OF acceptance an exposition OF the bill
and the platform is, II possible, even more explicit lie
SAYS the people of territory, like those OF State
shall decide for themselves whether slavery shall or shall
not exist within their limits To attempt TO raise
doubt about the true meaning of these documents is
senseeS5 qubb!iug. Then why should this question be
further agiaed since the South has lost all 1t had and
the North has gained all desired it has practically
gained all it proiessed to desire in theory. The
South Las Lsen yictmzed by the arts Of politicians
aud bor degded people shouted "well done 1t is now
our bond and whatever any other party may say OF it,
penalties the Democratic party has certainly no right TO
complain.
There seems to be no end TO the variety of phases
which this subject be made to present So far as
State is concerned, the reOpening OF the African
slave trade either by repeal OF the prohbitory laws or
i'm disregard Of all law Is a ftyOrte with many
The question is vet somewhat in its chrysas state and
there is no telling what shape it may assume, but We
NAV expect TO meet il soon in lis fullest developments
Il has already iuauguraed considerable "higher law
uauty Who openly advocate the disregard Of existing
laws State and Federal by the courts .ud urcs, aud by
the people all ough such doctrines, promulgated else
where they condemn aud deuouuce in terms OF unmeas
G.-d severity.
We have tus erdeavored to array facts and arguments
to shog tie abuses WHICH La- a!,eady crept into our
body polite and which still further threaten il. And
now the inquiry H. what Is TO be done? w hat Is 10
be- the remedy. IL is easy to tell what the remedy IS
but the difficulty lies in its application. The remedy
aud the only rEuEAl IS villa No i.sulAt dl hlEt LUIS
government, was ordained by them aLd Tor them; they
are the legitimate OF all its powers ana they must
rise up in their majesty aud restore to is primitive
purity. If they Will not DO this, why then 1t must
20 on as il is aud it Is perfectly certain 1t will get
no better it is Just certain that Will continue 10 grow
worse until il reaches its end by violent aud bloody
revolution We have many, many evidences that our
government is rapidly losing its hold upon the affections
fle people, iEelr hitter l aU.recauOu OF ITS value
is being daily NcaseuGi Gre sul moe y u'@u sapac-
t for free government being doubted. Dscord has la
ken the place of harmony eaousies and auimOsities,
epgeudeed in folly have sapped tie foundation of the
governments. Our .eQnaity Is giving way before see
tious,m. And why these tE.lss 80 because evil
couusels have prevailed demagagge5 have tri4nphed
over statesmen. The government has been perverted
from is proper objects aud is checks and balances have
been I,0asn down 10y the concentrated force OF party
pressure Win the people remain inactive aud allow this
'uobl- inheritance and best brihught OF man TO grad
uay but certainly roll ato the common sepuchre OF free
nations without an effort 20 save II: must deyouty
hope not; and We would them against rapidly APP
preaching dangers We ask them to diyest themselves
of every other feeling but wish for the welfare OF the
country aud to look dspassioua,cy at the prospect
ahead Ii they that are losing hold OF our safe
moonEg-, ,h-1 ye invoke their aid in the rescue
But how is the remedy Is .,ue Available, This Is
certainly an important question: and it is surrounded by
obstacles and difficulties. Probably majority OF the
peor. OF he United States opposed TO the existing
Stale o. things and Gesir change, aud II united
tnsv could control the lesuies OF the country. But
thew are divided minor matters II men will surren-
deruothng attain great object when 1t i manifest
that without such surrender nothing can be achieved
then very clearly things continue they are,
be.ome even worse. Put g. is scarcely be believed
that reasonable men will subbornly persist la aGhsriug
10 uru imprlctcabe tleOIes, rather than yield them
for substantial benefits. No government could be con-
sruct.d or Iiut inei if every man, or every faction
should persist IN having things tuelr Egy IEe gen.
,- good is the paramount object and all else must be
made subordinate 70 IT, There l. great conservative
element in all parts Of this country which must be uu
ted on the man object and il must appeal 20 men OF al
parties TO lay aside minor differences and unite with
l. in Lr;n.ir- aUGut the desired reforms. The
chief difficulty ia the way VI such q union lies
| in conflicting opinions the slavery question. II
though we have shown that this question has lost
much Of it, practical Importance aud tends 10 nothing
bu, mischief vet it has forced prominence which, III
certain quarters Obscures every other question: see
toual pary has arisen on IT, and continues its organla
ton though substantially It has achieved Its proesstd
object Ii that pllty m 0cr,i,t in adhering to mere
idea or fits designs be 10 press tho question iprther
then Of the South say we have nothing to surrender
on il we make assault on any part OF the Union on
any subject ii We surrender anything 1t must be
our pToper.y ana IT,; cannot and will not do As
soon would We give up our hgOs. Ibs North hes nc
such property and therefore has nothing 10 surfendrl
but an impraccab.e theory, tending TO no good, but
sbounding with the seeds OF mischief We do not ask
that the North shall surrender their opinions, even and
uue uit e. r. he moral view OF the question: let them
enjoy their opinions II hey w tgt 20 not press them to
our disturbance Cease agtatOn-let the Question Ies
that all we ask and believe good understanding will
follow Those who contribute TO give this question It's
prominence may not or be aware Ofthe mischief they
do They egeri an influence, widespread, which exces
fanatics to visionary hopes an4 u dsed5 OF blood and
carnage The recent event at HarPers Ferry SHOULD be
Il warning TO all good that danger to their fellow
is natural consequence of the continued discussion
OF the topic of slavery But regret to be compelled