Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-11-02
NO. A..


of the Kansas Nebraska bill, he was extoll-
ed everywhere throughout Virginia for his
unparalleled exertions in securing the reaog.
milton of the principle of Non Intervention
by Congress with slavery in the Territories.
In the Senate, and in his canvass with
Lincoln in Illinois, he has maintained the
principle, boldly and without evasion.
When the Kansas Nebraska Bill was un-
der consideration, no man of any party. as
the records and debates show, ever dream
ed that Congressional legislation for the pro-
te ctionlof slavery in the Territories, would
be demanded, or even asked for. So far
from it, the friends of the bill were careful
and particular in excluding such an idea
first, by the clear and emphatic declaration
contained in the fourteenth section of the
bill, that the true intent and meaning of the
act was not to legislate slavery into any ter
ritory, or exclude it therefrom, but to leave
the people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate their domestic institutions in their
own way, subject to the Constitution of the
u. s.
Secondly the assurance, in open Sen
ate, of that learned, able and distinguished
expounder of the civil law, (Benjamin, )that
by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
the French law in force tn the Territory at
the time Of its acquisition in 1908, could not
and would not be revived.
Third To quiet the fears and doubts Of
all as to the effect of the repeal, and to give
assurances to all, as to the motives which
prompted it, the bill further provides that
nothing therein contained shall be construed
as reviving or putting in force any law or
regulation existing in said Territory prior
to the 9th Of March, 1920, either protecting.
Establishing, prohibiting, or abolishing sla-
very Could ideas have been clothed in
language more plain, distinct and emphatic ?
Is it possible for any person to misconstrue
or misunderstood it? Can it be tortured by
human ingenuity to mean anything else
than the plain, common sense view which
the bill declares? It means nothing more
nor less than that Congress would remove
all obstacles and difficulties which had been
previously interposed out Of the way OF the
people, in forming and regulating their do
nestle institutions in their own way. That
is the meaning land the only meaning, which
can legitimately attach to the words and
phrases used in the Bill.
That Congress intended to declare the
doctrine of 'non- Intervention, and to dis
card the subject from the Halls of legisla-
|tion, is .abundantly manifest from this addi-
tional fact, viz: they refused to insert pro-
vision in the bill, requiring the acts passed
by the territorial legislature, to be submit
ted to Congress, and if disopproUea, to be
declared null and void. In all previous acts,
organising territorial government. (without
[ believe an exception,) such provision
is to be found. This fact of itself shows,
that they intended to make clean ''non-n-
tervention" bill, from the enacting clause TO
the end
I now come to the Cincinnati Convention
and its acts; and upon this branch of the
subject, will adopt the views of an intelli-
gent friend, as expressed in letter recent
ly received from him. s'The Democratic
Convention which assembled in Cincinnati
in June 1856, adopted as fundamental arti-
Giles Of its creed, 1.-THE principles contained
in the organic law, establishing the Terrific
ries of Kansas and Nebraska, as embodying
the only sound and safe solution of the ''Sla-
very question:" upon which the great ma
tional idea of the people of this whole coun-
try can repose in its determined conserva-
tism of the Union. --non- interference by
Congress aoih Slarery in State or Territory
or IN the District of Columbia.
''That this (non- interference was the ba-
sis of the Compromises Of 1850-conirmed
by Doth the Democratic and Wing parties in
National Conventions-ra ratified by the pee
pie in the election of 1852-and rightly APP
piled by the organization Of Territories in
1854"
That Convention further resolved: "That
by the uniform application of the Democrat
c principle (non -intei ference)t TO the organi-
zation of Territories, and to the admission
Of new States, with or ,oithoM domestic sla-
pery, as they may elect-the equal rights of
I'LL the States. a0iU be preserved intact-the
original con,pocts ofthe Constitution main
tanned inuiolate-and the perpetuity and ex-
pansion Of the Union, insured to it's utmost
of embracing in peace and harmo-
ny, every future American State, that may
be constituted or annexed with a Republican
form Of government"
= This resolution is broad and comprehcn-
sive. It covers the whole ground. 1t was
by wisdom and adopted by patriotism.
It breathes the true spirit of Democratic de-
votion to the Constitution and the Union,
and its principles wisely adhered to, will
preserve both. What is the plain, practical
meaning of the resolution Does it in fact
make distinction as to the proper action of
Congress, touching the subject Of slavery in
the Territories and in the States? 1t de-
clarcs that Territories should be organized
with or without slavery, as they may elect
not, as Congress may elect for them
The same rule and principle it is declared,
should be applied by Congress to the admis~
sion Of new States. No difference is made
in the principle by which Congress should
be governed, in the organization of a Terri
tory, and the admission of new State
IN on-interference, is the great Democrats
ic principle to be applied in the one case. and
in the other. 1t applies equally to both, was
80 intended, and rightly intended, by the
Convention at the time of its adoption
What were the great objects to be attained,
by adhering in good faith to the principle
If non-interference, in the organization of
Territories, with or without slavery, as they
nay elect, or determine for themselves p
Slavery in the territories was the apple of