New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-09-20

~ ~ tbe amendaent provided ana when done ne
Prsaident by proclamation, should announce the
same, and Kansas was forthwith 70 become n'I, -,
The whole question Of Slavery or no Slavery was ~
this amendment, submitted by the Republicans Al
Copgress-inelud.ng Mr. Giddngs and others VINO
have been held most extreme on this sublect-to ue
action of the people OF the Territory, and they oouna
Themselves in Advance 10 abide the result Ibe am en-
ment passed the House by the united woes Of all tHe
Republican members, aided by lew OF inc Nor.nern
Democracy. When il went 70 the Senre, u was tlsI9
sustained by MIR. Seward, Mr.. Hale, Mr. Hanlin aud
others embracing every Republican In thet Dooy,
though the Democratic majority prevented Ia MAJ
passage. ,,r A.
In the face OF thistle last ofhcal eAporon "a ee
principles Of the Republican party on tina oon'in
II be fairly said that il il an avowed principle OF the
party that no State shall hereafter be admitted rom
cur Territories unless there ia an ADt-Savery clause
incorporated into its constitution True i ~ that, not
withdrawing the prior success Of the Pro-S!ayery
cause in their Territorial electors, the Repdblic4ng
were Satisfied that upon far vote OF the people OF
Kansas they could beat their adYersaries; bu, this,
thouoh IL may have affected the ton OF ndivtuis
in the given case did not alter the principle recog-
nized by the Republican members in tbeir votes upon
that amendment
There is another source to which the public may
fairly look for an exposition Of the views OF the Re-
publican party upon this question, and that TO the
known and publicly expressed opinions OF its nominee
Mr.. Lincoln having been put forward as the representa-
tive of the party for the time being It ID chargeabie
on the one hand, and entitled 70 the benefit ON the
other Of his known opinions And this is more espec-
ay true where those opinions have been deliberately
expressed in answer 10 inteTogatories proposed. IL
70 happens that Mr.. Douglas in his debate with Mr.
Lineoln propounded interrogitory upon this very
subject; and in answer to that uerrogatory Mr. Ian
coin on the 9th of August 1888, said: 81 DO not
now nor ever did stand pledged against the admission
of any more Slave States into the Union, ana No
adds 81 would be exceedingly sorry ever TO be put
in position of having to pas upon ina, question.
shonid be exceedingly glad to know that there wonld
never be another Slave State admitted into the UnOni
but must add that if Slavery shall Do KEEP, out OF the
Territories during the Territorial existence OF any one
given Territory, and then the people shail, having
fair opportunity and clear field when they come 70
adopt The constitution, do such AN extraordinary mug
MS adopt slave constitution unniue0ced blythe actual
presence of the institution among them see no alter
native if we own the country, bat to admit them INTO
the Union
This may be said to embody the principles of the Re.
publican party. The truth 10, the whole trouble and
doubts which have been thrown over the views and
purposes Of the party upon this point have originated
in confusing the rights Of the Territory to legsate upon
this question Of Snysry @ be- Of ne RSry aDd
TIE right of the Territory to frame is Own Constitution
preparatory to its admission as State While the Re
publeans have held that 80 long as continues the
creature of the Federal Government and legaes only
as its agent such legislation is subject TO its revision,
thew have never denied, IS principle that 1t had the
right under the Constitution TO frame its organic law
according TO the will of the majority OF i;s people
They contend that the Territory shall be kept free for
the purpose of influencing TIE action of its people when
il shall be about TO slough OIL its Territorial existence
and assume its position an independent State Any
other purpose or object would be futile, Tor when
State whatever might have been its action az Terri
tori It would at once have full and absolute ntrol
over the whole subject.
II is, in the next place, objected that the prnci-
pies OF the Republican party contemplate, or rather toll
crate violation Of the acs OF Congress- ana, more
especially, Of that which IL commonly called tne fu8
tive Slave law
not to be denied that the great body OF the party
all over the country hold that law, as do, most m,
wige and unjust forced upon the North WIN to.dl
disregard Of its sepsibties and in some of its pro-
visions of doubtful consttutionality. Yet no line can
be found in any platform of the Rspubledn party, or
in any other place of authority, which encourages OF
ntenplates ts violation. The South il IO doubt,
entitled TO have the provision of the Constitution
which applies to the return fugitive slaves facy car
ried out but she cannot justly hold the North account
able for tie feelings Of individuals who look upon tn5
law in question oienaive m its requirements and
Objectionable in it's details. Nor can tle Republican
party be held Justly accountable for feeling OF aver
zion to Law which requires the citizens OF the North
negroes. l venture to say thar law Imposing daties
half as offensive upon brethren OF the SCUM could
not be executed in their section at all.
We have striking illnstratl n OF this IN another
branch Of the same general subject. The laws winch
prohibit tie African saye-trade, and forbid the I'M
poItstion Of slaves are Tepects their enforcement
in life Southern States little else than dead letter
upon the statute book.
,
shment is dea,h-goes fro1 their midst uawhipt OF
Justice The African negro, who has just been torn
from his country, and who has all the rights OF Tree
man. is cold there in defiance of Law as slave. Tbey
not only do not return him 10 the country where he
belongs bit they do not discharge fin from bondage
They disregard wholly the moral obligation, and the
tgal Obligation likewise, une's the negro IL WITHOUT
the rale Of humanity 1t seems to me that the com
plant Of the South that there are ndigd las IN the
Moth who cannot school theif feelings TO the point OF
holding that this Fugitive Slave law IL just what It
l., fla GIFa mats
bad grace. If the execution OF this law were more
difficult than il is apology should think, would
be found ty the South ITSELF in its own inability or
neglect enforce ths laws Of the country upon KIM
dred question. But whether this BE- so or not, II IS
eeItGn that the Republican party an neither control
nor arswe for the eOnseenCes OF men. IL can only
say as it often has said il recognizes fully the ooga-
tiCn OF publ" law, aDd neither seeBs nor desires ls
violation. But tie candidate u tie party no before
the country has gone much further than this lie has
ead in the speech already referred to- not only that he
" s in favor Of the unconditional repeal OF the Flu
olive Slave law" buG he added, "inlsuach we
are uo Low in an agitation in reg-Id to alteration
modification Of that law, l would not be the man TO
introduce II ms new subject OF agitation upon the gen.
eral question of Slavery. This Is going far enough,
slouli think satisfy the most flstldous IN reglrd 10
his conservatism upon tbe point in question. 1t may
fairly be held for the purposes Of this campaign 81 Lease
10 OH pose Of this objection to the principles OF the Re
publican party.
g. There is one othe, natter Of general nature con-
rected with Ills question OF Slavery upon which the
party has taken decided ground and that 10, an utter
and unqualified opposition now and hereafter 20 all
attempts which may lead 10 a reopenng OF the African
slave Trade Il would be disingonuous TO say that a.
this time any one Of he great parties OF the country
has aycwed this purpose az tG party policy. They
dare not yet do IL, though the extreme southern
party. now represented by Mr. BreckinTidRe, is
fast -enCilg in that direction. Should like advance
in bCldEes5 be made within the next four years
' inin the past four years. it will not surprise me
az az 20 ind IL early day the matter pressed az the