The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-05-23

1 may oC oShuOWAO0Scu at LIc 4tOIdiS Uue ttiC
poorest white man in slave State scorns it
and should emancipation come, the strongest
army that could be raised could not prevent
the expulsion Of the blacks, in bloodshed, be-
yond the borders of the State. He stated
these convictions because he desired to show
to the people of the North that the same SEN
timent animates all people of the South
whether they be the owners of slaves or not
But they were told that in advocating the
doctrines now advanced by the majority they
were violating the principles of the Cincinnati
platform. They were told that the Cincinnati
platform is popular sovereignty platform
and was intended to advance and enforce that
doctrine by its adoption. They who represen.
ted the majority Of the committee deny that
this is the faithful construction of the Cincin-
matt platform. We, of the South, say that
when we adopted that platform we under
stood that non-intervention was the non-inter-
ference OF Congress to establish or abolish
slavery even as the doctrine exists in relation
to the District of Columbia. We maintain
that congress has no right to abolish or pro-
hibit slavery IN the District of Columbia
And why? Because it exists there as an in
sttutlon. To secure the equal rights of all
| the States in that District, the common pro.
perty of all, and every year the national Iegis.
lature, composed of Southern and Northern
men, is legislating to uphold and foster slave.
~ there.
We say that the Constitution to this same
extent recognises slavery in Territory. It
does not carry it to the Territory, but when it
is taken there, then the egis of the Constitu-
ton spreads its shield over it, and it is the du
| ty Of Congress to intervene for its protection
when the destruction Of the property is threa-
tened. We hear constantly of the interyen-
ton of Congress when evil legislation prevails
IN Territory. A few days since a statute
passed by the legislature of Utah, being an
odious law, was repealed by Congress. So
laws passed by the legislation of Congress
have been abrogated by the same power Is
not this Intervention !? HCengress can inter
fere to destroy an odious law in a Territory,
it can interfere to protect the rights and pro-
perry Of the people ofa Territory, when inter-
ferred with by Territorial legislation.
He had endeavored to show that this was
not only question of principle growing out
of mental conviction on the part of the South.
but was also question of selEpreservation in
the future. He asked what principle of self
preservation can influence our Northern
brethren on this question ? What great
material interest may be effected, on their part
| If they should surrender this doctrine of popu-
lar Sovereignty It is not proposed to ex-
clude you from the Territories. No one saws
because Northern man is not the owner OF
slaves, that therefore be shall not come into
the Territory. No such proposition is made
no such doctrine exists. Our principles secure
perfect equality to all the citizens of the sew
era States. If there is to be surrender Of
principles in this conflict of opinion our friends
say they are ready to yield whenever the Su-
preme Court Of the United States shall settle
| the issue BY decision. They hold it to be
only judicial question, but he begged to saw.
| IN his judgment, it was not altogether mat
ter for the courts to decide. There are a
thousand indirect ways of Legislation, by
which the property Of the South can be assaii-
ed in the Territories. There are a thousand
ways in which slave property can be destroy
ed, and for which the Supreme Court cannot
furnish adequate remedy. II there be any
doubts, then, in the case, ought they not to be
| yielded to the States whose interests are most
at stake
This is not question that can be settled
in day, or eight years, or twenty years. By
| whom is it to be settled lift be popular
doctrine at the North, there will be no need to
endeavor 10 take it to the courts for settle
ment there. Will the Southern men 90 to the
Territory with their slaves for the sole pur-
pose Of instituting suit to settle the question
- ee'ssts We say this is great filndamen-
tai principle with us, and we, therefore, de.
sire the Democratic party to take its stand
upon it. It is not so with the North.
because it involves the yielding of no rights
on their part. He knew prejudice existed
at the North against association in the Ter
rtories with shareholders. He asked his
Northern Democratic friends to correct that
sentiment among Northern men, because it is
the antagonism which exists between the
slave and the free States that lead to these dis
sensions both at the North and the South.
The preservation of the Union depends on
the Democracy of the North. We of the
South vote with the Democratic party be-
cause we believe it to be the only party that
can save the Government. 1t is for North
ern Democrats to correct the views which
their people entertain on this question. They
could do it only in one way, and he told them
that there never had been time when bold
and outspoken platform that could be endors-
ed by the slave States would do so much good
as now. He appealed to the President of the
Convention, whose holiness and manliness
in the conservative cause endears him to the
heart Of every Southern man. Applause. r
Tell them how to fight the Black Republican
party. He viii say, never yield one inch upon
the Abolition question, but meet it boldly,
fairly and squaTely upon this popular soyer-
eigp platform. The Cincinnati platform is
ambiguous. We at the South say it means
one thing they at the North say it means
another. We ask you now to settle its mean
ing. We say take bold stand and declare
what it really means, openly and thoroughly.
The minority say they are willing to leave
| its Interpretation to the Supreme Court
That is no convenience to the South. They
take it for granted that all Democrats are law
abiding citizens, and If 50, when decision of
the Supreme Court is made adverse to their
views, they will submit to it, as matter of
course. It Is no solution of the question no
settlement Of the issue satisfactorialiy to the
South, to say "leaye it to the Courts" He
told them that among the masses of the South
there is growing distrust Of our Northern
allies. It did not exist with him, nor proba-
bly, with any persons who thoroughly know
the Northern Democracy but it neverthe-
less does exist in the popular mind of the
South.
We say then, If there must be little sur
render of principle, make that concession to
US. You say it is judicial question altogeth-
er. We say it is not. lift be, then to you
1t Is immaterial how to make the platform
for you can say, when you return home to
your constituents, that the majority thought
one way while you thought another, and as it
Is judicial question, you agreed to give the
majority their platform, and let the courts
settle whether its principles were right or
wrong.
Before closing his remarks be desired to say
that he had advanced no views in q captious
or unfriendly spirit The committee had been
engaged three days and nights in an effort to
harmonic their views. They finished last
night and this morning, and agreed upon
platform. He had not had time, therefore, to
prepare an address upon the report. But he
had advocated it before the Convention in as
lara manner as be could, and although his
remarks were unconsidcred, undigested, and
necessarily desultory, he would not shrink
nom the duty that devolyed upon him. He
had endesvored to present his views, as he
hoped they would be received, in no captious
spirit he desired to put the Democratic party
on clear, unclouded platform, so that he who |
runs may read its principles. We know that |
you Democrats ofthe North have been called |
doughfaces-let Us then take platform that |
can bear no double construction, and there |
win then be no justification for this term Of |
repfoach. Let rs take platform on which
Al may stand-a fair platform on principles, |
and every Democrat North and South will |
rally beneath the Democratic flag bid de- |
fiance to the enemy. He rendered bis thanks |
TO the Convention for the courteous attention |
they had paid to his remarks, and the good