Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-08-23

QWcssions nmd 4 mss ~r~-
The Democrat complains that we
have not answered the questions pro-
pounded three weeks ago. IL says:
1--WE again call on the Journal TO
answer our interrogatories: and partic-
ulsrly we again call its attention to
the interrogatory asking whether the
Republican party. by their Chicago
Platform. are in favor of admitting
any more Slave States when a major
ity Of the people Of the State want a
Slave State? Would it admit such
State? Or would it exclude it because
II had the institution of Slavery
Not the Journals opinion but the doc
trinc Of It's party as expressed in its
Platform
We have an answer at hand from
a Democrat TO which we invite the at
tention OF the Democrat. Read
well, then. Sir. in reference TO
this question Of inhibition: | take it.
it is no more or no less-gentlemen
need not clamor TO me about a Consti-
tutional provision. a Constitutional
infringement. Constitutional rights
and wrongs-it is no more or less
than the exercise of n sound and pru-
'lent discretion, like any other legisla-
tive transaction. You have Just as
much right to prohibit Slavery with
out the States. as to perform any 9TH
er act; ay. might say that you ARE
COMPELLED To PROHIBIT 1T; VOC CAN NOT
AUTHORIZE 1T. | say to gentlemen,
this Government has not the power to
create Slavery. They HAVE RIGHT
TO PROHIBIT 1T. 1t is power that
should be exercised always with iudg-
mcnt, prudence. propriety: as should
be managed your fleets or armies. as
should be managed any public prop
erty or right. SO should you manage
this. | dc not hesitate to say to all,
that would rather see no territory ac-
quired than to see 1T acquired for the
purposc-or even If it were to be the
result, the contingent result. that il
was to be made slave territory. WITH
NY VOTE AND WITH MY VOICE, | SHALL
NOT SUPPORT ANY PROPOSITION THAT
WILL TOLERATE EVEN FOR MOMENT THE
EXTENSION OF SLAVERY, BELIEVING AS
Do, III Is 4 CCRsE-A CURSE To MAN
KIND, 4 CURSE To THE WORLD" From
John Pcttit's speech in Congress in
1S47.
Are you answered.. Mr.. Democrat
We heartily indorse the foregoing
doctrine from John Petit who is Ger.
tainly cool authority. But for feal
our neighbor of the Democrat may
bubble again we propose to be explic.
it.
The eighth section of the Chicago
Platform fully enunciates the doctrine
Of the Republican party on this sub
ject.
The natural condition Of the Terri
tories is that of freedom, and it is the
duty Of Congress whenever it is neces
sary, to maintain them so by legisla
ton, while they are in a territorial
condition. This be ing done and Sla
very and all its interests exclude |. il
is not very probable that Slave state
will ever apply for admission. /
such should be the case we have M
doubt there would be Republicans who
would Se as radical as John Petit
was in 1S47 and vote against its al
mission. as republicans "deny thu
authority of Congress, of territorial
Legislature. or of any individuals. tt
give legal existance to Slavery in any
Territory of the United States" Nov
MIR. Democrat, are You answered, AM
will you answer as magnanmiousl,
the question OF az Democrat" il
the Journal of week before lasts
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