Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-05-17
The, Slave Traders at Charleston


tProm the Chic ago Press and Tfibuns.1
Notwithstanding oil the clsmor OF the
cotton growing States for q revivs! Of the
African Slave Trade during the past three
years--no:withsts nding the frequent land
ing Of csrgoes Of bsrbsrisns from the Bright
Of Benin at the ports OF South Carolina,
Georgis and Florida--despite the repeated
failures on the part Of officers and courts to
conyic, the pirates engaged 10 the traffic
snd even with the clear recollection iof the
slave trade debite in Congress last year
we presume ninety nine in every hundred Of
our readers. Republicans and Democrats
alike, were. well nigh stunned with the ma.
jori,y report Of the Charleston Platform
Committee. We reprint 1t for the purpose
Of addiog to the wide circulation. which it's
astounding features have challenged.
Resolved. That ,he platform adopted q,
Cine innsti be re affirmed, with the follow
ing additional resolutions.
Resolved, That the National Democracy
of the United States hod these cardinal
principles on the subject Of Slavery 10 he
Territories: First, That Congress has no
power to abolish Slavery in the Territories
Second, That the Territorial Legislature
has no power to abolish Slavery in the Ter
titoriss, nor poh bit the introiucti IN ti
Slavery therein, nor any power to destroy !,
BY any legislation whatever.
Resolved. That il is the duty of the Fed
sral Governmentto protect, when necessary
the rights Of PERSONS or property on the
high seas, in the Territories, wherever its
constitutional iuris Jiction extends.
Let us waste no breath in cries Of ss.
ton;shment. There it is! Seventeen Demo.
| crrtic States have joined in demanding the
protection of the national flag for the slave
hulks whose accursed trade has been under
the ban Of Chrisiendo for half a century
It is not too much to say that all the Demo
cratic States have joined in the internal cry
# appears that none Of those which dissent
ed from the majority are SO reliable ant
surely Democratic that they can be depend
ed on to vote the Pro-Slavery ticket at any
given election, without the utmost effort o
the party, while all but three or four hsv'
drlted hope lessly into the Republican ranks
Hence, IL the slave traders are not success
full in embodying their full and unequivoca
creed in the National Democratic platform
their failure will be due solely to the exist
ence OF the Republican party, which hold
the Pro.Slavefy faction in the North in con
stant terror. For, whst logical sequence i
more straightforward and conclusive thai
the African Slave Trade, from the premise
Of Squatter Sovereignty! II it is right t.
carry slavery to new territory, ii is right t.
get the slaves where they are the cheapest
If it is right to put slavery upon the land
We have bought from France or robbed iron
Mexico, it is right to get the raw materia
where it is plcntiest.
But we have no right to be surprised a
the sudden development which has beel
male at Charleston. Slavery abounds i
surprises. Its history and it's policy ar
alike dramatic. The repeal Of The Missouri
4. Compromise did not seem less strange, no
q. less sudden, not less staggering to tn
.. moral sense of the nation, than The 81 v
= trade programme which is now commend e
to us. The Drcd Scott decision in i,
: leogih h and breadth was not less unexpected
Mr.. Douglas announcement, that the fr'
: clause in the Declaration Of independents
a; was intended to include "all men," was n,
less abrupt and extraordinary. The polit
s clans who have led the Democratic part
from one step to another in the downwsr
n road of Slavery, have always understood tn
e advantage Of an accomplished fact. 1T
D Missouri Compromise repealed by cot
J., deiat. who shall undertake TO restore it'll
8 The Dred Scott decision, prom ounc ed by
sudden usurpation of functions which new,
IS belonged to the Supreme Court, who cha
t assume to overrue ii during the lives Of tt
> Judges! The African slave trade re-opene
and the executive power Of the GoveInmel
n in the hands Of the slave traders, VIII
j. agency shall be invoked to drive il from Il
seas. or stay its spread into the Terrtorie
These are questions to be pondered, whet
e er the last step in the progress Of the erin
n be now consummated or only deferred to
: more convenient season.