Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-07-19
Breckenridge vs.. Breckenridge

We have heretofore refer ed To the posiius Of
the disunion candidate for the Presidency. ,.l,g.
ling that when he was traver.ing the Norih u
State. in 1856. and panjering to Northern SCI.
ment 10 secure support to the ticket Of wiic'a re
formed part. ne expressly stated that he "fn-
competed with no party that has for its ohisc, La
extension Of slavery" aud committed himself ~
the most unqualified manner to the doctrine TAT
"ths people Of State Territory" mot whcn 1t
became u State, but while Territory ''ha n
right to decide the question Of its existence or
non existence for hemselrcs" This WAS certain
ly plain proposition. argued and sustained Y
language that could not admit Of any misapprp-
Ihension.
II was not meant that Congress had the right #
determining pro or con, this question. Congress.
had no right to interior the existence Of slavery
in the Territores neither had it right t carry
slavery there or protect II whilst there against 'be
will of the people. eren during her 7errno,jai -
istence. This was clearly the position Of the
President at that tmc, and the proposition canno,
be refuted.
But let us come down To later period Al er
the election ol Mr.. Buchanan. tbs Vice President
elect delivered u speech ut Lexington. from willie,
the following Is taken: Upon the dstrar'in;
question of domestic slavery their (ho Democra.
tie party's) position was clear. The whole pow r
of the Democrat c organization i, pledged tn the
following propositions That Congress, shnll ia,
Intervene upon tho subject in the States, in le
Territories or in the District OF Columbia tat
tho people Of each Territory shall determine tie
question for themselves, without Discrimination
on account If the allowance or prohibition Of IA
vcrv"
Here, it will he perceived, the doctrine Of hi.
clcctioneerug speeches was reiterated, nnd If un,
,be. stated with greater rlcarness, rcrsrieuitg.
and force. In view of these 'ncts, with the roco,a
of We President Brecknri.se fully bolorc u, We
do not wonder that Southern contemporary. to
Charleston Courier, says:
/ Now gentlemen # tho Richmond Cnn,,n#
can VA errin" n,rdy thi1e II Mr. Brcc.inr
did not say one ding aud mean another, i
!, lain to evc'y a'e.lircpl man that he is u, H.
in the mire It Squa'cr = rc"cignty the mu,tl
Rbused S'eph, II A Dugas Doos he not say ti4t
/ the peopie u zach TERRITORY shall Determine
themselves wle'her they will tolerate .luv
among 'her' And mark il. he makes up i
junction between State and Territory bar
willing to c0nccdc to both similar and equal pow
or. over this u's;on, Now, what i, III, lln,f, a
WORTH when the political history # the cnnIilt
IN iunie1 ppon il is dametrcnlly the opp,-lf
And yet, with his cbjccli,nalc i'cOrR ca the
very question. Mr.. Brcekinrdge i, the nru,ue" e
the Richmond and Baltimore SoreIins G,nv,
veniions; aud We are ia tha: ic i The candid. g,
at tho Staro Rights and Congressional Pto',,l,l
Dcmocracy-in word, that he is the champl IL
the South aud slavery Well mcn may Chang
hut principles are eternal II the doctrine .
Squnter Sovereignty was Democratic in 1885,, ho,y
can it he otherwise in 1850? In this nunlinai u
the Richmond Convention cannot lay claim "a
consistency. 1t was tho triumph II cxpcdcu,v
but not ii priHcjpir