Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-10-26

prompted it, the bill further provides .hat
nothing therein contained shall be construed
as revIving or putting IN force any law az
regulation existing in said Territory nrior
to the 9th of March, 1890, either protecting
establishing, prohibiting, or abojjsbinc sla.
very Gould ideas have been clothed in
language more plain, distinct and emphatic2
Is it possible fer any person to miscoustrue
or misunderstood it? Can it be tortured bv
human ingenuity 20 mean anything else
than the PLAIN, common sense view which
the bill declares? It means notbino moe
nor less than that Congress would rcmove
all obstacles and difficulties which bad been
previously interposed out of the way of the
people, IN forming and regulating their do
mestic institutions in their own way. That
is the meaning and the only meaning, which
can legitimately attach to the words and
phrases used in the Bill
That Congress intended to declars the
doctrine Of ''non-lnterUeation, and to dis.
card the subject from the Halls of legisla-
ton, is abundantly manifest from this addi-
tional fact, viz they refused to insert pro-
vision in the bill, requiring the acts passed
by the territorial legislature, to be submit
ted to Congress, and if disapproued, to be
declared null and void. in all previous acts,
organizing territorial government, without
l believe an exception such provision
is to be found. This fact of itself shows.
that they intended to make clean .nop..ir.
terVentlon" bill, from the enacting clause 10
the end.
l now come othe Cincinnati Convention
anu It's acts; and upon this branch of the
shUJ'ct, L will adopt the views of an inteli-
Een' friend, as expressed in letter recent
y received from him. 1.-The Democratic
convention which assembled in Cincinnati
~ oune 1896, adopted as fundamental arti
GIGS OF Its creed, 1.-THE principles contained
III the organic law establishing the Terrific
lies OF Kansas and Nebraska, as cmbodying
Vie only sound and safe solution of the .'Sla-
very question:" upon which the great ma
tlonal idea of the people of this whole coun-
try can repose in its determined eonserva-
tlsm OF the Union. -non-interfc ference by
congress a0lth Starery IN State or Territory
OF an the District of Columbia.
"Ihat this (non-interference) was the ba-
Sis OF the Compromises of 1S50-con6rmed
by Doth the Democratic and Wing parties in
National Conventions ratified by the pee
pie in the election Of 1S52-and rightly ap-
piled by the organization of Territories in
1854 :"
That Convention further resolved: "That
by the uniform application of the Democrat
lc principle (non -intel ference),lo the organi-
cation OF Territories, and to the admission
of new States, acith or without domestic Sta
Gerry, as they naay elect-the equal rights of
ell the States. aoiU be preserved iqtact-the
original compacts ofthe Constitution main
tanned tnviolate-and the perpetuty and ex~
pansion of the Union, insured to its utmost
capacity, of embracing in peace and harmo~
ny, every future American State, that may
be constituted or annexed with Republican
form Of government"
This resolution is broad and comprehou-
sive. 1t covers the whole ground, 1t was
dictated by wisdomand adopted by patriotism.
1t breathes the true spirit of Democratic de-
votlon to the Constitution and the Union,
and It's principles wisely adhered to, will
preserve both. What is the plain, practical
meaning of the resolution Does it in fact
make a distinction as to the proper action of
Congress, touching the subject of slavery in
the Territories and in the States ? 1t de-
clarcs that Territories should be organized
with or without slavery, as they may elect
not, as Congress may elect for them. -
.fhe same rule and principle it is declared,
should be applied by Congress to the admis-
sion of new States. No difference is made
in the principle by which Congress should
be governed, in the organization Of a Terri-
tory, and the admission of a new State
'.Non~ interference, is the great Democrat~
ic principle to be applied in the one case. and
in the othcr. 1t applies equally to both was
SO intended, and rightly intended, by the
Convention at the time Of its adoption
What were the great objects to be attained,
by adhering in good faith to the principle
OF non-interierence, in the organization Of
Territories, with or without slavery, as they
may elect, or determine for themselves 3
Slavery in the territories was the apple of
discord There never has been any SERIOUS
division in the Democratic party, upon the
right Of new State to be admitted With sla-
very.
The great and primary object to be attain-
ed, by the assertion and maintenance of the
principle of non interference, was to settle
forever the action of Congress, so far as the
Democratic party was concerned, and to dis
charge that irritating subject altogether
from the Halls of Congress. by this mode
Of settlement it was declared that ''the
equal rights of all the States will be preser-
we'd intact" Does any patriot North or
Sooth, East or West, desire more on that
point? 1t further declares that ''the original
con1pocts ottbe Constitution, a0iU be MAIN
taine5 jnuiolate." Does any man ask or
desire more than the fulflment of the Con-
stitutlonal compaets and provisions? And.in
conclusion the resolution declares, that by
the uniform observance of this democratic
principle of interference, sthe pe1petu-
ity and e3pons,on ofasis Union, iassared to
its utmost capacity Of ensbraci'ag IN peace
AID harmony, every future american State
that may be constituted or anneced ruth q
, republican form Of government. 3
BY strict;adherence to the great principle of
non-interference, wonders were to be ACHE ped.-
monined and united the great National Demo
cratcparty. 1t insured the triumphant election.ot
the candidates of that party, and by their success,
tact, and the Union insured to the present time
at thn nripr tIny parinh