The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-21

involved in the conflict, viz. that the
Territory devoted, by the Missouri Com
promise, to Freedom. should not be in
vadcd by slavery; that the freedom Of
Kansas assured the Territorial question
may now be safely left to natural laws
that, as party, we were indebted to the
folly of our advGrsaricS for the triumph
we achieved, and that, until their aggres.
SiOns were renewed, our mission was end,
ed and that finally, the madness which
swayed pro.slavcry counscls for six years,
has eliminated in an openly avOwed-tle-
termination to dissolve the Union.
When Republicans will back down.
long enough TO look at the new issue pre-
sented, lifting their eyes and thoughts
little above the political horizon, they will
discover that the duties Of the partisan
and patriot harInOnize that the princi-
pies Of the Republican party, derived from
the political Fathers, teach devotion to the
Union as our first duty. All high and
holy aims and reforms can bc best ac-
cOmpIished in the Union. Dissolved, the
great experiment Of Sclf.govcrnmcnt is a
failure. Dissolved, the aspirations for
pervading prosperity and happiness, a
high civilization, and an exalted Nation.
ality, vanishes
The prevalent sentiment, however,
rejects all Compromises and that, il it
is to be accepted as our ultimatum, ter
inmates the controversy. And yet what
matter Of difference between individuals,
families, communities, States, or nations
was ever settled except by COMPROMISED
Wars. but for the spirit Of concession,
would be interminable. Even victorious
armies never refuse terms to the vanquish-
cd conquered cities, in the hour Of capt.
ulntion, and at the mercy Of the victorS,
receive CONCESSIONS Shall we, then, at
variance with our own kindred, close the
door against the possibility Of an adjust
ment: Admit that while threatening
treason, while organizing armies to over.
throw the Government, they have passed
the boundary Of negotiation, let us re.
member that they are blinded by passion,
aud cndcavOr to reason both for them and
ourselves. That party to the controversy
nearest right-that party which is con-
SciouS of least wrong-can best afford to
manifest q spirit Of cOncilation.
But in this controversy we are not
wholly blameleSs. If there are beams in
our ncighbors' eyes, there are notes in
our own. Too many Of US forget that
when this Union was formed, Slavery was
the RULE Freedom the EXCEPTION. While
we-climatc, soil and interest favOring
aud scconding our sentiments and sympa-
thivs-havc been working out other States
with adverse complications and elements,
have worked more deeply into Slavery.
Thousands upon thousands of our citizens,
,waycd 10y feelings 10 which we are ncl-
thcr inScnsible nor Indifferent, with no
Slavery 10 oppose at homs, have deemed
it their duty 10 demand the abolition of
Slavery elsewhere, forgetting, in their
zeal. that il exists in the Southern States
under the Constitution. Societies have
been formed, presses established, tracts
distributed, and cmiSSaricS sent into the
Slave States, teaching that Slavery is sin.
ful, and that slaves ought to bc cnIanci-
patel These lessons, in harmony with
easily learned. But, in learning them,
We did not find written on the same page,
nor in the same chapter. that in our efforts
to abolish Slavery, We should provide in
dcmnitv to the owners. When we refer,
as We often do, triumphantly, to the ex.
ample Of England, we are prone to forget
that emancipation aud compensation were
provisions Of the same act Of Parliament
II will, and may be said, that We are
forgetting the wrongs, cncroachmentS,
aggrcSSions and outragcs of Slavery.
True. We choose 10 do so just now. II
is a new aud novel position, for we have
been all our life showing up the dark side
Of the Slavery picture. But, in view Of a
fearful calamity, there is no want Of con-
Si>tcncy or Of fidelity, in going TO the
verge Of conciliation with the hope Of
avcrting it. Then, after all honorable Of
frrs Of agreement have been exhausted, il
"There comes a power
Into some. of our 0est ports, aud are at point
IL show thcir open banner,
Mockng the air with colors idly spread"
sustained by the reflection that we have
done our duty in endeavoring to sustain
peace, we shall be prepared to 60 as far
and dare as much as those whose impa'
ti"nt Zeal may prccipitate conflict, the
horrors Of which will add appalling chap.
tcrs to the History Of the French Revolu'
ton.
From the Evening Journal. December q.
! If our Republican friends would but
turn their attention from the I" dead past
to the "living present." with an intclli
gent appreciation Of all that the lesson
teaches, our differences would cease. VIZ
only differ in this, viz: That with the
Election of Republican President, the
issues upon which his success was mainly
based, became ObsOletc-ObS0lete, because
until we acquire more Territory, the con
ilict between Freedom and Slavery is over
The moment the Ballot. Boxes closed, or
the 9th day of November, the Freedom
Of Kansas, Nebraska, Washington, New
Mexico, &C., &C., was assured. The work
was finished, and however vehementlv ou'
friends may keep stumping, their fires vii
90 out. and until fresh fuel is furnished
cannot be rckindled. The idea Of sustain
ing the Republican Party upon questions
that have been argued and decided, is al
preposterous as to expect to reap whea
or harvest corn from fields in which sect
was neither Sown nor planted. Let us
then, gather instructions from the '' deat
past" but as men Of sense, deal with thu
"living present.
With such Fugitive Slave Law as th'
Constitution demands, Freemen would b'
protected, and the necessity Of Persona
Liberty Laws would no longer exist
Then both questions are disposed Of
We are reminded, constantly, Of tn,
perfections of the Chicago Platform.
| 1t was and is good, strong, broad Plat
form, one on which all might stand, ant
on which more than million of electors
did and do stand. But while it was jus
what the occasion required, it was not ON
niscicnt, and could not forescc all tina
might occur. Shall we, then, because
emergencies arise and issues offer, not pro
vided for in our Platform, refuse or hest
tate to meet thcmG Shall we ignore start
ling facts, and neglect to prepare for scenes
which are to deluge the country in blood
corDavo md raninc hecauSc we do no