The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-12-28
From the Chicago Times, Dec. "a.


From the Chicago Times Dec. "a.
We Are rs We Were.
In discussing the position and future of
the democratic party, the New York World
says:
"There is 20 conceivable position on the
slavery question on aohich the democratic
party can plant itself and become major.
ity. It's antecedents and associations, as
we'll as its respect for the constitution, as
it stands, forbid it to become an abolition
party {; the progress Of events and the ten
dency of public opinion, as well as the
constitution in the form into which it is
certain to be amended, forbid IL to commit
Sself to the fortunes Of q naoribund msti
tution."
The democratic party is not called upon
to take any new position on the slavery
question. 1t has nothing more TO do with
it than with any other question which the
people Of the respective states may settle
without the intervention Of the general
government 1t has as much to do with
slavery in any state Of the union as it has
with the school, or highway, or tax laws,
of such state, and no more. If slavery is
dead, Of course it cannot NEEDLE with it.
If slavery lives, whether in vigorous or
decayipg condition, the duty of the nation
and Of the democratic party towards it is
to let it alone, to be dealt with according to
the requirements of tho constitution aad
the wishes Of the people among whom it
exists.
We are now TO observe our constitutional
duties towards it. If the constitution shall
be amended, we shall then be called upon
to obey whatever obligations its lawful
amendment may impose. When the nation
shall be called to pass upon the amendment,
the democratic party will be guided by the
circumstances then existing. 1t is not i'm
probable that, prior to that time, the states
in which slavery exists may have them
selves abolished the institution. II SO, any
action on our part in relation thereto will
be superfluous 1t has been the aim Of the
abolition party to inculcate belief that
the position Of the democracy respecting
slavery arose from sympathy with the insti-
tuition. The statement is an absurd one,
though the majority Of the readers of the
Tribunes Of the press give it implicit Gre
dcnce.
The New York Tribune, in an article
commencing the quotation we have made
from the World, repeats the statement, and
almost Immediately after adds: IN .ess
Thousands shallowly presume that the
south is unit in fanatical devotion to its
giant curse; when, to say nothing Of the
negroes, there never was time when
very large proportion Of the southern whites,
including their wiSest and best, did not feel
and know that slavery was their bane and
curse"
What nonsense is it to allege that north
ern democrats have been governed by sym.
pathy with the institution, in according it
constitutional protection, when "a large
proportion Of the southern whites, includ-
ing their wisest and best" entertained for
it no such feeling ~... .
The attitude which the nation should
assume upon the question Of slavery is a
subject of momentous importance to-day.
If the confedcrates were now offered peace
on the basis of the Crittenden resolutions,
it is probable that they would accept it
Ii, on the contrary, they are prec'uded
from return to the union unless they accept
the entire brood Of abolition policies,
Matched during the progress of the war,
they will undoubtedly bring their negroes
into the field and make still fight so des-
perate that we shall be exhausted in the
effort to conquer them. 1t is probable that
peace and union could now lie secured upon
the basis of the constitution, while it is by
no means certain that they can be secured
if the south be driven to the extremity OF
emancipating and arning her slaves.
But, aside from the bearing which the
decision OF the question may have upon the
result of the war, and which has been so
often and exclusively discussed, the dem.
ocratic party is forbidden to change lis
position on the subject of slavery until there
shall be such a change in the circumstances
connected with it as will alter its constitu-
tional relations. The doctrines of higher
law and military necessity are placed in
opposition to the constitution by the ad-
ministration and its party, IN the position
they take on this question. In opposing
them, the democratic party does not com
init itself to the fortunes OLA moribund
institution" unless the constitution is such
an one. 1t is precisely to ascertain whether
it is that we demand obedience to it in
dealing with slavery as with all other ques
tons. We hold up its provisions to the
administration, and inquire the = asons foi
its contemptuous defiance of them. We
remind the President of his declaration
that he had mo right to interfere with
slavery in the states" There. has been nc
lawful increase of his power since he thus
declared. ...s .....,z
Instead Of changing our position on this
subject, let US so clearly and imprcssively
present it to the nation that We Shall not
be misunderstood. We attach ourselves t.
no institution; but we defend all, to ths
extent required of US by constitutions
obligations. Slavery may go to perditnn OF
to paradise, as its character, as the sum o
all villanies or as divine institution, may
determine, when it dies, If die it must, and
we shall not feel so much interested in it,
welfare as to inquire its whereabouts; bu
we do not conceive that the constitution
has charged the general government witt
the duty Of sending it to either place. Thu
attempt to do so has caused large and
rapid increase of population in both within
the past three years, and its continuance
promises for some time to come to keep VI
the unnatural emigration to those localities
Omcial Returns In all the States.
M oils, ha f,,llouotr ahln showing tht