Year: 1860

HisuniOm.


There is, says the Statesman, opposed
to the National Democracy really but
one Intervention party, though consist
ing Of two wings--a Northern and q
Southern-one demanding intervention
for the prohibition, and the other for the
protection of slavery in the Territories
The policy of either, if adopted by the
Federal Government, would rend the I'M
ion asunder, as it would be direct and
palpable violation Of the compromises
and guarantees ofthe Constitution


The Republicans assert that their
! scheme OF Congressional Intervention is
In accordance with the design of the faith
ers of the Republic aud the intention of
the trainers of the Constitution. Never
was more false or dangerous political
dogma attempted to be palmed upon an
intelligent people. Suppose, that at the
time the Constitution was proposed to the
several States for adoption, it had been
announced by the Convention that franz
ed it, that the Congress was to have the
power coupled with the duty of prohibit
ing slavery in all the Territories thereaf-
ter to be acquired by the United States,
the Constitution would not have been
adopted by halfa dozen of the thirteen
States then existing. Suppose, again,
that the first Congress under the Consti-
tuition, instead Of ratifying the ordinance
or compact Of l7S7, had passed Interven-
ton act, establishing and protecting sa-
very in all the Territory Northwest of the
Ohio River, would the Northern States
have quietly submitted to it? We think
not. There would have been something
worse than Shay's rebellion in New
England, or whiskey instruction in
! Pennsylvania.


Again, suppose, that in 1870, in the
''territory Of the United States south OF
the Ohio" ont of which was formed the
Slave State of Tennessee; or that in 1900
in the "Mississippi Territory" out OF
which were formed the slave States Of
Mississippi and Alabama: or that in 1903
in the Territory of Louisiana, purchased
by jefferson from France, out of which
were formed the slave States of Louisiana
Arkansas and Missouri, Congress had
passed an act at the time each of these
Territories was ceded to the United States
| positively prohibiting the existence Of
slavery therein, and had attempted to en-
force it by the strong arm Of physical
power-such an attempt would have been
resisted by the Southern States even at
the hazard of dissolution of the Union,
and the verdict of the civilized world
would have justified them in such resist
ance. Congressional Intervention for
the prohibition of slavery in slave Terri
tory, or for its establishment and protec
ton in free Territory, would never have
submitted to in the early days of the Re-
public, non would it have been acquiesced
in at the time of the acquisition of Flori-
da, the annexation of Texas, or the more
recent acquisitions of Territory from
Mexico. The opposition to such an ex
ercise OF arbitrary power on the part of
Congress has gained strength with the
lapse of years. If at any previous period
in our history, it would have led to Dis
union, such a result will inevitably follow
it now.


The Intervention wing which demands
action on the part of Congress for the
protection of slavery, does not hope to
succeed by force of numbers. 1t has or
ganized itself preparatory to secession
from the Union, in case the policy of the
other Intervention wing is adopted
Should the latter wing fail of success, the
mission of the other is of course at an
end.


1t is clear that the peril to the Union
lies mainly, If not entirely, in the success
of the Northern Intervention wing, or Re-
publican party. If they succeed in get
). ting the control of the Federal Govern
ment, they will prohibit slavery by Con
; gressional Interference in all the Terrific
ry Of the United States. Gov. Chase de-
clares rG1licly that they will certainly do
it, and he is good Republican authority.
Upon this ground, he urges the election
of Abraham Lincoln, who is pledged to
; make that the leading measure of his adj
ministration in case of his election.


Southern men will never submit to
this Republican intervention. Northern
men would not submit under similar cir
/ cumstances. They would, as the South
erners will, go out of the Union first
, If Southern lntervcntionists had the ma
iority, and should inaugurate their scheme
of establishing and protecting slavery in
all the Territories, Northern men would
: never submit to that. They would prefer
doing precisely what Southern men will
do in case Northern Intcrvcntionists car
2 ry ont their avowed design.


: Hence arises the imperative duty of all
) men who would save the country alike
from Northern and Southern Disunionists
to unite in one solid phalanX to prevent


the lection of the Northern DisuGiol
! candidate, Abraham Lincoln, and to Sc
p cure that of the Non Intervention anC
, Union candidate, Stephen \. Douglas.
!, yEpt.yarcsS SNnctaCgn