Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-04-13

as TO mecG bueiT VIEWS! w Ill GQ0y O00Y
that they intend to assert this right, and, if
they he permitted, to exercise the power,
whenever they can, Of thus overturning the
institution everywhere within the United
States That the attempt will be made il
-so-ualled Republicanism shall acquire suffi
Sient siren 9Th, I cannot doubt. THAT such
a proposition would be without the purview
Of the Constitution, in providing for It's own
amendment, and destructive Of free govern
nen.; would be no barrier to party madly
bent upon the destruction Of an institution
with which the destiny Of the South is ir-
revocably bound.
It requires no arguiiieiit to bring in view
the consequences resulting from ah attempt
further to press these doctrines upon peo-
pie already goaded to madness by persistent
insult and injury through long course Of
years. One of two things will take place
either the anti-elavery party MUST be ami:
hilatea, or this government be dissolved
No power, moral Or physical, can prevent
its disruption, unless the warfare upon the
institution Of slavery ceases. The South has
ever been loyal to the Union; but she is 10y
al to herself, and will seek safety out of the
Union when she despairs Of justice in tt
The threat that she Is to he coerced to re-
main in; scarcely deserves contempt. !.
But can the Democratic party by any
course avert the danger?
Ibelieve it can be done. But u cahtot
be done by the Souths assuming a position
which, in effect, denies to the Democracy Of
the North and Northwest the right to par
ticipate with them in the coming struggle.
United as we were in 1856, we can again
triumph. Why the same union cannot be
had now, without the sacrifice of principle,
I cannot perceive It was Known tlel, as
we'll as it is now known, that Democrats diff
fered upon questions arising out OF our Ter
ritorial relations. But they were not then
thought to be Of such Importance as to justl-
fly elimination and recrimination. # they
have grown in Importance since, it IS |
think, simply because they have been much
talked of and discussed in the public prints
never, however, SO far as I have seen; SO
lucidly as to solve them to the satisfaction Of
the public mind:
AS to the first Of these questions that is,
the power of a territorial government to pro-
hibit slavery-it is very generally conceded
believe, by all parties to have been adjudi-
Gated by the highest judicial tribunal in the
land in the bred Scott case. There, then,
let it rest. So long as the decision stands it
is the law Of the land, and should be respec-
ted and obeyed The judicial settlement Of
the question cannot be unsettled by political
agitation.
The question Of prcte;55tfon to slavery in
the territories by Congress is, it seems to me
better calculated to do harm to those whom
it proposes to benefit than any other could be
which has as little III It. It's likely to do
the institution Of slavery infinite injury. by
aiding in the disruption and consequent de-
feat of the Democratic party. But if the
Democracy were TINT in its faver. and we
should tomorrow, by ain aot Of Congress,
provide law for the purpose, what would be
effected? Would slavery gointo any Of the
Territories Does any one believe that the
effect of such laws would be to make any one
of the territories now existing, or that may
hereafter be out of our present existing de-
main slaveholding States?
We have seen and heard much in the
South Of late, in favor of re-opening the At
rican slave trade. Why? Because It vas
asserted that we had not sufficient slave la
Dor BY enc fourth to develope the rich SUI
gar and cotton lands Of the South. This is
true and being true, can it be supposed
that slave labor will ever be diverted from
ch Fr;,iff1,1 = fto1J 30 tbo oofton apd SMEAR
region of the South to the great plains OF
the West and Northwest.
But it is said that this protection will be
at least the assertion of a; correct principle
in proper case. This 1 shall not deny.
But | do deny that it is the business of Con-
gress to occupy it's time in lcgislating for
the mere glory Of displaying its power ID
the passage of laws which are to have no
practical application in the administration
of government. And least Of all should
Democrats insist upon such a course, when
its effect is obviously to strengthen the en-
emies Of the Constitution.
AS to what course Texas will pursue by)
her delegation in the Charleston Conyen
vention, [ can only say that suppose their
action will depend upon the action of the
State Convention, which is to assemble on
the first Monday in April. hope they will
60 to the Convention uninstructed, so far,
at least, as concerns the man for whom they
shall vote. And could also wish that they
mil ht- be unembarrassed as to the questions
already referred to, and which have already
so much disturbed the harmony of the De-
party. But whether this Hope
will be realized, time only can determine.
Whatever dissensions or differences may
have grown up in the party in Texas with
n the last year OF two, feel warranted in
saving, that IF the Charleston Convention
shall act as becomes the representatives Of
he National Democracy and presents a
rational rather than sectional candidate,
hen Texas. with her full Democratic force
n close order. will rally under his stand
ard, and there remain Until the field is lost
)r won.
Many names have been mentioned for
,ho nomination at Charleston, most Of whom,
have not doubt, would be acceptable to
Fexas. But there is one name (and not
he least among them) in whom [ know
7ou feel more than ordinary interest, who
S not at this time, as he once was, a. favor
tie with the Democracy ofTexas I allude
10 YOUR distinguished Senator, Judge Doug
las. This alienation Of feeling has resulted