Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-02-13

THE WORST PART OF HIS RECORD"


last week, will be found the following
sYour members of Congress- with scarce an
exception, are pledged to deny to tho slave
holder the right to go into the common Terri
tories unless he leaves his slave property be-
hind him, notwithstanding the Constitution as
defined by the court. and the equity mani
festly in his favor. Even yonr President elect
has said that, were lie member of Congress,
he would vote for such law, the decision of
the court to the contrary. This is the worst
part of his record and l regret its existence;
Cor he is the President elect, according to the
Constitution, and must hold the Office"
We do not propose to enter upon an argu-
meut to show whether the position of the Pres
ident elect and his party is as fairly stated a
bove as it should be but the Democratic
party, as well as the distinguished gentleman
from whom we quote, have a 'srecord' on this
very point, thought il would not be amiss
TO see what appearance it presented.
1t will scarcely be denied that, until few
years ago, the Democracy of the North was
decidedly opposed to the extension of slavery
into the Territories. This phaze of its policy
was exhibited at earlier date than shall
trace it up on thi, occasion. In 1914, when
the annexation of Texas was an important top
lC. JaIueS luduc iuS lO4iOhlHh
ration in the L. s. Senate on the Sth June:
"After mature reflection, now believe the
acquisition of Texas will he the means of i'm
iking, not enlarging, the dominion OF slavery;
Whilst this seems to be the ahemming n''
process, at which some Of our Breckinridge
friends are so much Mortified, another branch
OF the party at that time sought TO gain sup
port for tie annexation scheme on the ground
that If slavery was .'diffused" through wider
extent OF territory it would, slowly and gradu-
ally, disappear from the Union.
Texas having been annexed in 1915, dis
pute arose between the United States and Mex
leo in regard to her western boundary, and re-
suited finally in war, which continued for
two years. In the summer of &c ii was deem-
ed advisable that considerable sum should
be placed at the Presidents disposal to nego-
tiate advantageous treaty OF peace. On the
Sth of Aug, 1876, bill was introduced into
Congress, appropriating s30, 900 for immediate
use, and giving the President the control of
$1,000 900 more for the object stated. David
Wilmot, then an orthodox Democrat, after
consultation with other Northern Democrats,
offered the following Proviso, in addition to
the first section of the bill
"Propidsd, That as an express and fundamen-
tai condition TO the acquisition Of any terrific
~ from the Republic of Mexico by the United
States. by virtue of any treaty which may be
negotiated between them, and to the use by the
Executive OF the moneys herein appropriated,
neither sldrery nor involuntary serritude shall
erer erist an any part Of said territory, except
for crime, whereof the party shall be first du-
Iy convicted"
fI,o for iInpf md
the bill, with it attached, passed the House,
by the aid of Northern Democratic votes.
The bill, however, failed in the Senate.
The Legislature OF Pennsy lvania, which was
chosen at the general election in 1916, and
which met in January, lS47 took early action
on this question, tie following resolutions be-
ing adopted by both Houses
"WHEREAs the existing war with Mexico
may result in the acquisition of new territory
TO the Union; And whereas, measures now
pending in Congress having in view the appro-
priation of money and the comforting of au.
thority on the treaty making power to this
end; Therefore,
.Resolred, &c, That our Senators and Rep
reseatatiues in Congress be requested to vote
against any measure whatever by which terri
tory will accrue to the Union, unless, as part
of the fundamental law upon which any com
pact or treaty for this purpose is based, Stare
~ or involuntary scrUitnde, except for crime
shall be forerer prohibited"
This resolution passed the House unani-
mously. Every Democrat and every Whig vo
ted for it--95 members being present. in the
Senate there were but three dissenting votes
The first name that appears among the yeas i.
that of Hon. Wm. Bigler, who made speech
IN support OF the resolutions, in which he tool
occasion 20 avow his most cordial approval o
fhe principle it expressed.
AT the next session of Congress, the Demo
Gratis exhibited unmistakabie symptoms o
growing .weak at the knees,'' and the previ
so was defeated, Mr.. Calhoun in the meantime
forth in tangible form the doctrine that ha
since been adopted by that party.
The Democracy of Pennsylvania, however
were somewhat unwilling to discard their ole
principles so suddenly Hence, we find thei
State Convention, which met at Pittsburgh or
the 4th of July, ls49, to nominate candidate
for Canal Commissioner, &c, unanimously a
dopting tie following resolution, which was
offered by Col. Samuel W. Black, the presen;
pro-slavery Governor of Nebraska Territory:
oResoLred, That the Democratic party ad-
heres now, as it ever has done, to the Consti-
tuition of the country. It's letter and spirit
they will neither weaken nor destroy, and they
.s-9eelcYe that slavery is a local, domestic in
stirution OF the south subject to State las
alone, snd with which tho General Govern
nsrt tas nothing TO do Wherever the State
ax extends its jurisdiction. tic local ,nstitn-