Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-10-10

meuaced holding the Constitution In their
hand as their only defence, asking for moth
ing which it does Lot give, claiming only the
benefit which 1t was specially intended to con-
fer OH minorities like them, and then let them
say whether they would not insist on rec
cognition of their rights? Would they ever
be satisfied with the reply: We acknowl-
edge the Justice of our demand. Ii is based
on the Constitution; but the prejudices and
passions are so. and the notions of duty are
SO lose, of those who surround US, that we are
compelled by expediency to refuse your oe-
mand, aud ask you to agree glth US as to the
propriety and prudence of surrendering you
10 the tender mercies of your enemyF
Would they not say If such a proposition were
made to them. and such reasoning employed.
IF you admit our rights. 1t is your duty to
help us to enforce them. If you care for the
Union be loyal to it by standing By every
compact on which it is based. LII you be-
lieve iu the Constitution be loyal to 1t by
obeying every one of its provisions, as ex-
pounded by those who are specially author
lzed to do so. Away with expedlency DO
not yield one jot TO the enemies of justice and
right. for if You yield an iuch they will take
an ell. until finally you will be overwhelmed
aud trodden down by themt'
pedieDcy 80 principle. to consider the ques
Isou csmly. deliberately and Intelligently; to
read the Constitution as explained by that
venerable jurist who now presides with so
much wisdom, and spotless purity over the
highest tribunal in onr land, and they will see
wherein the South is wronged, aud wherein
the Northern are the aggressors. What
does the South claim? She claims to be CO.
equal with the North. East aud West in the
Territories. Sue claims that her property is
sacred there that of any other section
of the Confederacy She claims that she has
right to enjoy the possession of that prop
erty there uumolrsted so long as the Terrific
ries held in trust by the Federal Govern
ment for all the States. She claims that no
portion of the people of the Territories has
any power to deprive her citizens of their
right to hold their slave property. until they
form a constitution, are admitted into the
Uuion. and are endowed with sovereign pow
er to deal with the slavery question they
please. This is all she claims. 1t Is just.
because every title of it finds a warrant in
the Constitution. Why then should Northern
Democrats refuse to acknowledge Its justice?
Their rights are not endangered; their prop
erty is not impaired; their social condition is
not thereby deterIorated They may depend
upon that the squatter- sovereignty dogma is
but phase of abolitionsm. 1t Is based on
hostility t. the Institution of slavery, and
once Northern Democrats concede that TO the
abolitionlsts, they are gone. They have sur
rendered everything. Let them staEd firmly
by Truth, Justice, and the Constitution, -
aud they can defy the abolitionists. Let
them cast expediency to the winds. and ad-
| here to honesty. 1t is the best poiicy-the
| only policy by which the Uuion can be pre-
served. for it is the only policy to which the
South will ever submit.