The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-08-01

Union aSunuer lne ulWcutIy Seemeu At
6rst insurmountable, inasmuch as repeal
of the Missouri act might renew the agi-
tation quelled in 1850; whereas, upon the
other hand, to leave such an act of Con-
gress in existence would be an abandon.
ment of the very principle through which
that happy result had been obtained -
The Democratic party, after some hesita>
tion, resolved to pursue the principle of
1850 to its logical consequence; to abro-
gate the Missouri Compromise line, so
called, even at the hazard of new and more
dangerous agitation. 1t appealed to the
Wing party for assistance. and some of
the Southern representatives. of that par
ty in Congress responded to the appeal
But the Northern Wings, with few excep-
tions, abandoned their Southern allies,
and uniting with the remnant of the Abo-
lition party, raised an alarm throughout
the North, that the Democratic party had
thus renewed, in Congress, the identical
agitation which it had solemnly promised
to dscountenance.
This sfusionp of Northern Wings and
Abolitionists was largely strengthened bv
detection from our own ranks; men who
abandoned Us. not because they supported
the aWilmot proviso, but because they
feared the Democratic party was about
to surrender the doctrine of .'non-inter-
vention" by Congress, and became an ac-
tive agent, through the instrumentality of
the Federal government, for compelling
the Territories, one and all, to accept
slavery as an institution forever, unaiter
able and uncomfortable Time has now
dissipated the fears of many, and they have
returned to their old allegiance. The
people of the North are beginning to un-
derstand, ALSO that the true responsibility
for all the agitation which resulted from
the Kansas Nebraska act is upon those
who resisted the application oS q sound
principle to merely formal change of
circumstances. But in 1854, suddenly
and almost as if by magical touch, the
Democratic party of the North and North
west disappeared Only thirteen Demo
Gratis were elected to the House of Repre-
.sentatives, in that year, from all the non
slaveholding States, California included,
snd four of that tnumber-almost one third
were from the State of Illinois 1t re.
quired years of constant effort to satisfy
the Northern people that the Kansas Ne
braska act was not an act of Southern ag-
gression, but an act for carrying into eff
feet the principle established by the com
promise measure of 1850. The under
signed do not mean to palliate q niscon
ception so gross. but merely to relate an
indisputable fact. Our leader in these
esertful contests, now the candidate ol
the Democratic party for the Presidency
of the United States, did, almost without
exaggeration, travel from Washington
city to Chicago, in 1854, by the light o
his own burning efigies tss.
1t was after such disastrous consequen
ces to the Democratic party, and will
hearts full of apprehension, that our dele
gates from all the States, north aud south
assembled at Cincinnati in June. 1855
to consult with reference to public affairs
Confident in the justice of ou- cause, ant
appealing to the sober Judgment of tn
people, the Democratic National Conver
tion, By a unanimous vote, endorsed tn
. Kansas N Nebraska act, and resolved t
abide by its principles. The resultis wei
: known. The nominees Of that conventio
! received sufficient number of electora
. votes to secure them in the Presldenc
and Vice Presidency of the United States
, The fact was developed, also, that i
: others of the Northern States, New York
Ohio, and Iowa, at least-the Black RI
J publicans had prevailed by mere plura
, lity, and in opposition to clear an
+ definite majority of the popular VOTE A
: no time since has the Black Republica
$ party attained power in the States of Ne
1 York, New Jersey, PenDsy lyania. Obi
Indiana, and Illinois, by its own strengtl
: but in every instance by some combine
!, tion with the remnant of the America
: party in those States; remnant oppose
Q to the administration of Mr.. Buchana
: but never satisfied to cooperate wi,
It Abolitionists in Presidential election.
: KANSAS-NEBRASKA BILL.