Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-05-11

Inc Spectator OF the 9th closes very
moderate and sensible article onthe Charles.
ton Convention, with the following para
graph:
".With such an irreconcilable diherenceof
opinion, the question arises whether there
is no way Of getting rid Of the difficulty, or
whether the peace of the country and the
Union itself must be sacrificed to abstract
theories The only way we know of is to
agree to disagree upon questions of really
no practical Importance. If let alone, the
question of slavery in the Territories will
settle itself to the satisfaction of all reason
able and patriotic men in both sections of
the Republic
That difference Of opinion has always
existed among the great men ofthe country,
in regard to the power of Congress in the
Territories, is a we'll known fact to every
reading man Thls difference has not only
existed among members of the same party,
but has been tolerated without impairing
their political influence, or compromising
their party fealty. In 1917 and 184S,
when the agitation growing out of this very
question shook our government to its centre,
Senator Clayton offered his celebrated COM
promise, which, acknowledging tie exis-
tence of difference Of opinion, referred the
whole matter to the Supreme Court of the
United States, whose decisions in any case
involving the question were to be final and
binding. This idea was Incorporated into
the Compromise Of 1860, which compromise
was endorsed by both the great parties of
the Country in 1852-reindorsed by the
passage of the Kansas Nebraska bill in
l854;ahd again re- affirmed by the Democrat
ic party at Cincinnati in 1856. All of the
leading Statesmen Of the present day are
committed to this solution of the difficulty
are bound as honorable men to stand by
these several compromises, and observe in
good, faith the spirit and point they declare.
Up to 1857 the mere doctrine had been
agreed upon that the adjudication ofthe ST.
preme Court, was to be the peaceful arbiter
between conflicting opinions, whose rulings
were to be received as a settlement The
popular mind lay calmly reposed in this be-
lief, although no case had been presented
For adjudication by which the law was to be
established The Kansas-Nebraska bill es-
pecially provides for appeal from the deci-
sions of the inferior and Superior Courts of
the Territories, to the Supreme Court of the
United States, not limiting at all. the a.
mount in controversy, where slave property
is involved. In 1857 the question was
brought to practical test in the bred Scott
case. The Supreme Court ruled that the
Territorial Legislature was merely the agent
Of Congress, and consequently could excr-
else no powers which Coigfess could not
confer. Congress not having the power to
prohibit or establish Slavery, il followed that
such power did not vest in its creature, the
Territorial Legislature. It is true, tie opin-
ion expressed by the Court is charged to be
extra judicial. This may be SO, aud yet
not impair the binding force Of the opinion
in moral sense, for who doubts for mo-
ment that the opinion ofthe Supreme Court
deliberately given will not be its decision
when the case arises.
Thus is it not clear that this whole sub
ject matter Of controversy has been referred,
by the legislation and compromises of the
country, to which the common consent of
| The people has again aud again been given,
10 the Courts? Then why should this vexed
question be again opened? The declara-
ton of the abstract right of the South to the
protection Of its property in the Terrific
ries can be Of no possible practical good at
this time, but which we are sure if insisted
upon must result in the defeat of the Demo
cratic party. and the rending asunder of this
Union of States. No patriot, no true Demo
crat, who values the existence of our free
government, can lend his aid and counsel to
the encouragement of an agitation fraught
with so many fearful disasters. The North
and the South have been educated to think
differently each honest in their convictions
That difference has been a subject of legis-
lative compromise and judicial reference, &
faithful regard to which cannot fail to be a
peaceful and honorable solution ofthe diff
Guilty. Let then the honest masses, the un-
corrupted and incorruptible yeomanry come
forth and rally around compromises, the
honor, and the flag of their country, and in
the exercise of an indisputable and irresisti-
BILE majesty, crush out fanaticism both North
and South The time has come for the peo-
pie to act, and not Che politicians-.the peo-
pie. whose fresides and homes, whose do
nestle peace and tranquility and national
honor are in jeopardy. to rise up and rebuke
rebellion and disunion. The great heart Of
the country is for the preservation of the
Union--the great heart of the patriots Of
the South beats responsiveiy to the noble
defenders of the constitution at the North
who are graphing hand to hand every day
with Black Republcanism, and we will not
forsake them now that our aid may strength
en- them to strike the decisive blow which
will break down the enemies ofthe country
and yet more firmly establish our free sys-
tenn Of government. Let immaterial and