Year: 1859

being we propose TO offer Il few remarks on
the expediency Of u demand from the South
ern people that property in slaves held in the
territories shall be 'guarded and defined by
congressional legislation We are aware that
in so doing we are obtruding upon our readers
a hackned subject, but since the late debate In
the Senate, the question has been galyinized


into renewed life, and now threatcnsto become
an element to distract and divide the Democratic
party and put Gn end to the harmonious 60 op
eratiou of its Northern and Southern branches
Democrats in the non.suveholdng States nd.
here as firmly as ever to the Cincnnlti rrsolh-
tions. They accept and approve the DECISIONS
of the Supreme Court, which affirm the pro-
prietary rights of Shareholders Ia thn territories
They freely concedc that the constitution e.
cognzcs and guarantees such rights They
support and advocate at all times the Soyrelgu
rights of the States in all their length and lat-
itide. They checriully and in concord sustain
the rights of owners Of the slaves who escape
into the borders. They put aside the low and
petty iealonsies of sectionalism and iabOr tor
the Southwark progress of the Republic. They
advocate the acquisition OF Cuba, endorse that
measure in their conventions, ably Sustain I.ln
their presses and indeed show greater una
nmty in supporting it than can be found among
Southern Democrats They are friendly 10 the
South because willing to sustain Southern
States in all their constitutional rights They
are friendly to us because they oppose the
fanatical party that seeks to trampc on our
rights through congressional enactments. They
oppose that powerful Northern combination Of
men who claim for Congress the right to cx-
clude slavery from every foot Of the public
domain, who dcnouncc and vllify the sacred
high federal tribunal for its recent decision,
who ignore and tread upon the guarantees Of
the constitution, who seek power by playing
upon the lowest prejndices and who will dissev-
cr and ruin the Republic rather than abatc
one jot or title from their tyrannons purposes.


But the late discussion in the Senate, the
comments of the Northern Democratic press
upon it, the tone of the discussion in late cam
pagns, the language Of Democratic resolutions
and other evidences, taken in connection with


what we know Of the universal prejudices Of
all Northern people now and for many years
past relative to our great institution in the
abstract, have pretty fully convinced US that


Northern Democrats will with one accord op'


pose any special legislation by Congress inten'


ded to operate exclusively in the Territories


and solely upon the subject of slavery To


those who propose Congressional action either


for slavery or against it, in the Territories or


elsewhere, their answer is: "Let slavery and


shareholders alone; let it go where the ConSti-


tuition as interpreted by the Supreme Court


opens the door for it; let it look for protection


to the same agencies which establish it in the


Territories the Constitution and the Common


Law" When the Black Republicans again


attempt to exclude slavery from any Territory


by Congressional action, they will unite with


Southern Democrats as cordially as ever in
opposing such action; but if Southern Demo.


Gratis ask them to aid in adopting code OF


laws for the regulation or protection OF slavery
in the Territories, they will refuse en- massc,


unless we err widely in our estimate Of prcva-
lent opinions Without the cooperation OF
Northern Democrats the attempt will be fail.
ure. If such aid is solicited and denied the
result must be distinct schism in the party
:, and it may be an irrevocable loss of power to
resist the black Republican fanatics upon other


and more vital issues


These arc some of the reasons why we deem


the step proposed one of doubtful aXpcdency,


The time for such measure is inausplcous,
1t would give new life to the fell spirit Of anti


slavery fanaticism and ALLEVIATE the friends OF


the rights Of the States at time when they
are most needed in united and harmonious
opposition to the gathering hosts of the North
r eru sectional party Such agitation is the very
It fc's blood of that party Agitation is It's


daily food, and we ought to think twice before
: we propose any measure which must inevita'
bly, supply such food in abundance. While


we should dispute every inch of Constitutional
a ground and "cav about the ninth part OF a


hair in matter Of legal right, we ought to


hesitate before urging measure which, right


or wrong, promises little direct benefit to the


owners of slaves in Territories, but threatens
+ disastrous effects upon the union and harmony


of the only party which the Sonst,N'i"i' ~.
be upheld. The time is moi rp' t"r s'' 4


movement. 1t is better for t,la aa}7en.0 o.
" constitutional rights to ho'daad confirm "jH'
= they have already than 10 eH.ahgf I,S loss


by premanrely atcmptnE ne &g.tll


"a Whatever doubts may have e&steJ before
'' the repeal of the Missouri Restriction aut iog
- bred Scott decision aS 70 tHe.egst8 oil owners


of slaves in the federal domain, teW now gain
" say the right of the citizen faAy State 70 70


move with his property of all kinds 70 Terrific
: rics and there to possess and enjoy IL without
~. molestation. 1t is also conceded by all Dem
e ocra ts th at in the act which ORGANIZES u AeI