Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-03-14

On the 18th day Of last February, the House
e Representatives resolved unanimously that
Congress had power under tho Constitution,
nor was It the design Of any political party to in
tsrfere with slavery where il existed by State
authority. This resolution ras passed as peace
offering 70 the South. There would have been
no necessity for its passage or Cor any reference
to tho subject at all had il not been for TIE falls
ifcatieus Of North ern Democratic journals. II
had been so pcrsistenty avowed by them that the
hrst design Of the Republican party, vas to in
wade the slave states and turn the slaves loosc
upon their masters that a good many people both
North and South were half inclined to believe
that there was some remote or Interior design Of
that character that formed the basis of the great
party that was then soon, and since has taken
control Of the Federal Government.
But the simple passage Of this resolution. 10y
lie lower House ct Congress, was not regarded
sufficient guarantee by the South. The prop
osition was brought up in another form by the
committee OF thirty three, 20 as TO make il an
amendment TO the Constitution Of the Unitcd
Sts,es--thsrcbs guaranteeing to the slave States
that henccforth their institution could not he
disturbed or molested 10y any interference from
without their own borders. " order that the
proposition might be submitted to the people for
their approval or rejection a. constitutional
amendment. The proposition was fully discuss
al before the committee, and when submitted 10
the House the discussion was again revived. l.
has been the settled and unequivocal policy OF
ali parties in the North who have opposed the
institution OF slavery on moral or political
grounds ,that'po unconstitutional or illegal means
would ever be employed TO effect its overthrow.
n we 60 back az far as 1891. to the first public
declaration Of opinions ever set forth by any
body of Anti Slavery people, find this same
principle Of non interference with slavery in the
States. otherwise than by moral means, clearly
enunciateI. In every subsequent public declar
a;icn the same position has been re- affirmed to
the present hour. That any such interference
would be clearly unconstitutional, if not by the
expressed. il vas so considered by implied risht-
OF each State under the Constitution. This prin
,pe OF the Constitution has been regarded n
settled. and upon that understanding the Re
publican party has ALWAYS fought its battles.
That there might be no mislppr,hension in re-
gard TO the position Of the party upon that sub
iect resolution Was incorporated in the Chica
60 platform amply defining the policy Of the par
~ IN that respect. But regardless 10 all these
expressions of sentiments. the Democratic party
have persistontly proclaimed from the press and
the siump--ihai the opposite was true. Sixty
ave Republicans voted against Mr.. Corwin's prop
osiiion. believing that the Constitution has suili
GENTLY explicit upon that subject. and that the
public and the unwavcring declaration of the
Republican party in affirmation of this under
standing Of the Constitution should satisfy al
reasonable men. IL they voted for the PROPOSE
ton they regarded il as done in obedience to
demand and threat of the South, and partial
acknowledgment upon their part. that they did
entertain secret intentions to interfere unlaw full
y with slavery
sone have enormously supposed tha, these
men voted against the proposition because they
lid not approve Of its policy in regard to slave
~, tia, l. an unfounded position. We do not
spprove of their vote. bu, nevertheless We do no,
think their motives in yotins against ii should
DE misconstrued
The proposition vas passed By the House b,
mo ihiF-s majority. The Hon. ID. Kil-orc
voting IN the Affirmative Mr.. Kilcore advo.
Gated the proposition We published short ex
tract from bis speech last week, but now have his
remarks entire and shall publish them mex: " eek
We trust that vote will silence the vile Islander
81 the Democratic party that Republicani.rl pro
roses 10 disturb slavery where il exists Inv Stale
-'ations-