The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-04-25
II. NJ. HOME, Sec'y.
The Civilian on Political Principles.

ne SNiiah on fOiittcal Ifincipies.
AZ Two weeks ago we replied to some
structures made by our neighbor upon
Republicans, relative to the Homestead
policy, and among other things showed
that the assertion of the editor that the
Republicans had promulged a new and
dangerous principle relative to the gov
eminent of the territories, was not
true. In prefacing that article we also
expressed our satisfaction at finding our
neighbor discussing the principles of po-
litical parties, instead of tie theological
views Of their individual members. Re-
plying to this, last week. the editor says
he is willing TO argue the question Of
principle at any time and anywhere, in
writing or in speech, in public or in pri-
vac. We have no desire, ourself 10 call
the editor TO the forum, but are certainly
gratifed that he has consented to disre-
gard stated inconvenience. and through
his columns, to 'ogaia vindicate the po-
sition of the Northern Democracy upon
tie question of slavery"
Last fall our neighbor, being chairman
OF the committee on resolutions, report
ed series of resolves to Democratic
convention in this village, in which he
spake of the " time honored principles OF
the National Democratic Party" But
now he has nothing TO say of National
Democracy. and proposes to yindicate
only the position of Northern Demo.
Gratis. The proposition in the present
case WAS TO discuss the principles Of the
Republican and Democratic parties, but
the editor has nothing to say for Tie lat
Ter, and is willing only TO speak for a
Northern party. One great objection
which our ncighbor, in common with his
party, has made against Republicans, is
that the party of the latter is a sectional
one-that it is confined to the North
But the editor seems also 10 belong TO
sectional party-a northern party-sec-
tional in It's very name-denominaled
-lorthern Democracy" We want our
neighbor 10 tell us what has become oil
the great " National Democratic Party"
OF which he spake last fall, and why il is |
that he does not vindcate its =" time hon
ored principles 2" Those are the prin-
ciples which should be discussed, be-
cause that is the party now controlling
the government-the party against which
the Republicans are arrayed Your
Northern Democratic party controls no
thing. and therefore its principles arc
scarce worth discussion. However,
when our neighbor has defined those
principles, we shall be prepared to exam
inc whether, as he asserts, "the Northern /
Democracy stand fully, firmly, and heart
lily upon the platform adopted by our
fathers at the foundation Of the govern
ment."
Our neighbor says there is not north.
ern Democrat who is not willing and de-
sirous that the issue Of slavery should be
settled in strict accordance with the let
ter and spirit Of the constitution; and
asserts. furthermore, that if there was an
infalliblc method OF ascertaininc the in.
tent Of the provisions of that compact,
there is not Northern Democrat who
would not submit the issue to the test OF
that method, and abide the result Now,
for one. We certainly think there is a very
EXCELLENT if not an iniallible method of
ascerlaining the intent Of that instrument
relative to the question Of slavery. That
method is to test the question by the
opinions and policy Of The men who :
framed the constitution. The greatest OF
these men have left on record burning /
words against the great wrong Of slay' /