The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-07-20

In taking this step am not unmindful OF the
responsibilities. it imposes out with firm rell-
ance on Divine Providence, have faith that
the people will comprehend the true nature ol
the issues involved, and eventually maintain
the right. The peace OF The country and.sa feiy
Of the Union have been put 10 jeopardy by at
trmpts TO interfere with and control the domes-
tic affairs OF the people IN the Territories through
the agency OF the Federal Government
Ii the mower and duty OF Federal inlprte-
renee be conceded, two hostile sectional par
ties must bt the inevitable result the one IN
| flaming the passions and ambition OF the North.
and thr brr OF the S0ulh--each struggling to
use the Federal power and authority for the
aggrandlzrment Of IFS own srction at the eX-
Pense OF The equa! rights OF the other, aud in
derogation OF those fundamental principles Of
| seli-government which were Grmlg established
10 this country by the American Revolution as
/ the basis OF our entire republican system. Du-
/ rug the memorable period OF our political DIS
! tory, when the advocates Of Federal lnterven-
tion upon the subject of slavery ia tue Terrific
rles had veil nigh "preclpltated the country
/ into revolution Northern nterventonsts
demanding toe NTimot Provso for the prohi-
( bItIon al slavery, and the Southern IHterven-
! tl0nSts then few 10 number and without SIN
! gle representative IN either House OF CongressI
/ Insisting upon Congressional legislation for the
! protection OF slavery 10 opposition TO The WISH
| rs Of the people, IN either Case--It will BE- re-
membered that II required all the wisdom, pow
| er and influence OF Clay, and a w Webster, and a
| CasS, supported by the conservative and Ealrl-
! otto men OF the Wing ana Democrat: parties
OF that day, TO devise and carry out,a line Of
policy winch would restore peace 10 the coun-
! Try, and stability to the Union. The essential
! living principle OF that policy, as applied IN the
( legislation of 1926, was, and now Is, non-lntsr-
venton by Congress with slavery in the Terri
! tories.
The fair application OF this Just and eGulta-
! bic principle restored harmony and fraternity
! TO distracted country.
/ Ii we now depart from that wise and ust
( policy, which produced these happy results, aud
permit the country to b. again distracted. Il not
( preciptatrd into revolution by d sectional con-
test between pro-sIavery and anti-sIavery ia
/ terventionisis, where shall We look for another
/ Clay, another Webster, or another Cass, to
! pilot the ship OF State over the breakers INTO
haven OF peace and saiety2
/ The Federal Umon must b. preserved. The
lHliSl oe IlaitidtHTu lbNiJlttt III dft
It's parts. Every right guaranteed BY ne Con-
| sitution must be protected by law 10 all cases
where legislation is necessary toe;ts enforc,-
ment. The Judicial authority, as provided ia
the Constitution, must b. sustained, and its de-
| clslons implicitly obeyed and faithfully eXecn-
ted. The laws must be administered, and the
constituted authorities upheld, and all unlawful
reslsIanCes suppressed. These things mus, all
b. done with drmuess, impartiality, and fidelity,
If We expect to enjoy and traosmt unmparred
to our poserity that blessed inheritance which
We have received in trust from the patriots and
} sages OF the Revolution.
With sincere thanks for the kind and agrrea-
bic manner in which you have made known to
me the action OF thu Convention,
have the honor TO br,
Very respectfully,
Your friend and tellow-cltizen.
S. 4. DOUGLAS.
To Hon. VIM. II. Ludlow, n. Y r. P. Dick,
n. Z. aud others OF the Committee.