The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-25
the relation Of the DSnOcrasic
Party . Slavery. &

The Relation OF the DSmOcra31e
Parry e slavssry.
The position of the Democratic party
during the late campaign. when reviewed
with particular reference to the platform
occupied by the Republican organization,
has been that of constitutional, union
party :" or, in other words, Of a party
pledged to the restoration of the Union in
Its integrity, through the agencies of either
war or compromise, under the forms, and
by a strict adherence to the terms of the
Constitution of the Omitted States. The
object to be attained was the salvation of
the Unicn. The means to be used we're
war or compromise. The guide to be fol-
lowed was the Constitution. In the pros
ecution of its object, many constitutional
questions arose, as to the legitimate or lille
climate use of means, and among these
questions, claiming priority over all others,
was that of slavery. The question Of
slavery was forced upon the notice Of the
Democracy simply in a constitutional point
of view, and without any direct reference
to it's moral bearings. Mr.. LINCOLN. it
was correctly urged, had adopted an IN.
constitutional policy in regard to slavery,
and allowed this policy to control the issues
of the war. The Democracy protested
against the policy, and by this action drew
upon itself the suspicion OF being tie quasi
defenders of slavery. The party was thus
placed in an unfortunate position.
We say unfortunate, because the Dem
ocracy of this country is not the defender
of slavery. Obliged from the very neces-
sity of its position to advocate the consti-
tutional rights of the slave States, it does
not push the defence of such rights beyond
a proper limit, or seek to confound them
with the justification of an immoral sys-
tenn. The Democratic party coDceives
this TO be a great economical and social
evil, opposed to the moral sense OF the
civilized world, and operating to retard
the progressive development OF the human
species.
The election of ABRAHAM LINCOLN eff
fectually relieves the Democracy from its
constitutional obligations regarding slave
nv. An overwhelming popular majority
has decided in favor Of the continuance OF
Mr.. L1NcoLN's term of office, and a prose-
cution of the war for the complete abolish
ment of the slave system. So far then az
the determination of the North is concern
ed. slavery is doomed Institution. Con-
demned at all times by the moral sense OF
the Northern community, it must row
submit itself to the memorable logic of
events. and bow its head to axe of execu-
ton. The enforcement of the abolition
policy will undoubtedly fortify the deter
mination of the Confederate States.
Vigorous exertions to establish their indie
pendence will involve the absolute neces-
sity of Southern emancipation. A severe
economy in the use of the white popula-
ton for active operations Of de!ences,
render the arming and equipment of the
negroes incumbent upon the Confederate
authorities, and this can only be effected
through the form Of emancipation ln
whichever light we view the subject, sla-
gary "a doomed. IL ia doomed by the
decision of the North, and by the neoessi-
ties of the South, as it has long been
condemned by the opinion of the civilized
world. Events are stronger than men or
parties. Human progress demands con-
slant and wise concessions. The Demo-
cratic party having faithfully fulfilled its
constitutional obligations, now yields to
the irresistible pressure Of circumstances,
and washes its hands of the evil of sla-
very. No longer obliged TO oppose the
Administration III its relations to this par
ticular subject, and prompted by the in
SEPARATIONS of its patriotism, to sustain the
President in all his earnest and constitu-
tional endeavors to restore the Union. it
Yields to him its sincere and cordial sup
mort in these dark and trying hours OF
our history, and invokes in behalf Of him
self, and the country we all love. 80 well.
the anspicions smiles of heaven.