The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-28
The Senatorial Resolutions on Politics
What They Arc, and what Hhe Couutry
H.

The Senatorial Resolutions ON Politics
what They Arc, and what she Couutry
Dem ahds.
The Senate of the United States has passed,
after two days discussion, series of resolu-
tiops, proposed by Senator Davis, Of Mississippi,
which, it Ia supposed, will form the ground.
work of the political platform Of the demo-
cratic party during the coming campaign An
examination of the vote ON these resolutions
shows that they were accepted by the great
mass Of the democratic and Southern opposi-
ton Senators. Mr.. Douglas was not present to
vote ON account OF illness, and Mr.. Pugh stood
| sovereignty.
The ostensible object Of these resolutions
was to declare the sense of the majority of the
Senators against the two innovating and dan
perous political the cries which have sprung
up from the decay and dissolution Of the old
partiss-on one of which asserts the power of Con-
gress to abolish slavery in the Territories,
as proclaimed by the black republicans.
and the other denies this right to Congress,
ard claims it for the Terri torisl Legislatures,
as asserted by Mr.. Douglas and Mr.. Pugh
The practical aim of the passage Of the resolu.
tons, at the present moment, is to defeat the
efforts OF Mr.. Douglas partisaps TO secure his
nomination by the Convention which is to
meet at Baltimore on the 10th proximo Ia
most of their essential characteristics the reso.
lutiops are a reiteration Of the principles that
lie at the very foundation of our system of 60.
vernment, and which are clearly compre hended
and warmly cherished by the great majority of
the American people. We cannot but believe,
however, that in forcing them to passage at this
particular crisis in our political affairs, feeling
of personal bitterness has had an undue in
auence, and that this sentiment has led the ma,
jority of the Southern Senators into the com.
mission Of grave political mistake.
Principles are, Of themselves, permanent,
while circumstances are necessarily transitory
and evanescent in their influence. A declara-
ton Of principles can, therefore, never be
political error, and 1t is not one, at this moment,
on the part Of the democratic Senators at Wash
iDgton. But when these gentlemen 60 be-
yond this limit, and hang . political
resolution on an off" and not only on oae
"n," but on two, as is the case with the fifth
resolution OF Senator Davis series, with the
futile hope Of binding party to future action
on contingencies that may never arise, they
ask what men Of reason are justly leth to con.
cede. The 9Th resolution, therefore, Is useless
In Its present connection. and becomes an ele-
ment Of weakness, Instead of strength, as par.
| of a party programme. The evils which II
contemplates do not exist and 80 long as the
country holds 10 the four preceding resolutions,
they can never arise. Should they, unfortu-
na,ely, ever come up, the men who live and
act at the time they DO occur will be free to
act In accordance with the circumstances Of the
case, and the principles Of right, no matter
what party pledges are exacted by the polid.
clans and party managers Of to day.
There is In this resolution another element
which is in opposition to the growing desire Of
the people, North and South, to eject the ques-
ton OF slavery from the field Of political and
Congressional discussion. In this respect II be-
longs to the same category with the interpo-
iations made by the shorteighted Southern
| politicians who formed . part OF the cabinet
Of poor Pierce, in the Territorial acts for Kan.
sas and Nebraska, and which, being there
adopted and defended by Senator Douglas, re.
opened the whole political discussion on
slavery. The true safety Of the South lies In
the exclusion of this question from the politi.
cal arena; and the real interests involved, the
great proprietors ofihe South, who are clear
sighted and conservative class know this and
earnestly desire It, No resolutions, therefore,
which assume to commit any party to Congress.
sional legislation for or against slavery in the
Territories are wise or polite, and the men
who recommend their adoption will always end
them resulting In evil, as did the fomentors of
the Kansas Nebraska folly. In every case II IL
mistake In politics. as in everything else, TO bring
forward the future to work present mischief.
As for the institution Of slavery itself, mere
political motives can neither stimulate it
growth nor has'en Its decay. The law OF Its
existence lies beyond the pale of political
action. II Is bassd on the social necessities
and moral obligations Of the community In
which II exists, and no other community
10 competent 10 discuss or leeislate for
those necessities and obligations. Their
discussion, @ political questions, only
irisases the passions and confuses the judy
mept, without calculating the subject Lee
eisla,ion has no real power over II; for all laws
are subordinate in practice TO social necessi-
ties, and wherever they are enacted In oppo.i.
ton to these, they become q dead letter. The
historical Development Of every nation pre-
sents evidences Of this truth. The statute books
Of every government contain numerous laws
rendered obsolete by the progress Of society.
politicians TO attempt to pledge parties, gov
crnmsnts or nations TO future action. wha.
the eosn,ry now requires Of the politicians
who are TO meet al Baltimore and Richmond TO
set forth declaration Of principles on which
the present political con,es, Is 70 be conducted
Is that they proclaim simple and direct oppo-