Year: 1859

The LccOmptOn Slave Code Platform.


The Lecompton State Convention on Fri
day temporarily adopted Non. Intervention
Platform, and distinctly avowed that Con-
gress ought not "to establish or maintain,
prohibit or abolish the relation of master and
slave in Territory" Here is the plank


I'd. Resolued, That the organized Terrific
ries of the United States although not en-
dowed with all the attributes of sovereignty
are yet justly entitled to the right of self
government, and the undisturbed regulation
of their domestic or local affairs, subject to
the Constitution of the United States, and
that any attempt by Congress, or any of the
States, to establish or maintain, prohibit or
abolish the relation of master and slave in n
Territory, would be departure from the
original doctrine of our American institu-
tions, and that we adhere immovably to the
principle Of "non-intervention"b by Congress,
with slavery in the States and Territories, as
declared in the "Kansas-N ebraska Bill" and
openly disclaim fellowship with those, whe-
ther at the South the North, or the West,
who counsel the abandonment, limitation, or
avoidance of that principle.


But alas This was mere bait for gud
geons. The Slave Coolers appeared in the
Non-Intervention character for one day only
On the following day, Saturday, the Slave
Code doctrine was endorsed by the following
proceedings of the Convention. We copy
from the Sacramento Standard, good Lecomp-
ton authority:


Mr.. Ely of YuGa, arose and said that not
only himself, but several other delegates, had
upon more maturely considering the Platform
which had been adopted on Friday, thought
that in its present form it would repudiate
the very principle maintained by the Demo
cratic party-that of mon intervention by
Congress with slavery in the States and Ter
ritories. as declared in the Kansas-N Nebraska
bill. lie would, therefore, move to expunge
the word maintain" from the second resolu-
ton of the Platform, as adopted by the Con-
vention which he was satisfied all present
would see the necessity of doing


Mr. Hall, of Sierra, said the Platform had
teen fully, and, he might say, most ably dis
cussed in the Committee, aud they had, as
the Chairman of the Committee on Resolu-
tions had reported to the Convention, come
to the conclusion that, from the unanimity
with which the resolutions had been adopted,
they would be satisfactory to all the plat
form had been copied almost ger6ati0t from
one framed in another State-but he saw no
great objection 10 strike out the word main.
tain" and, therefore, would not oppose the
motion


Mr. Hoge, of San Francisco, also saw no
objection; and as the delegation to which he
had the honor to belong, and many other
gentlemen, wished to close the labors of the
Convention, to enable them to get away by
the boat, he hoped that the motion would be
adopted unanimously.


Mr. Long, of Sacramento, made some few
general remarks as to the effect of the altera-
ton


The Chairman then put the question which
was carried


The resolution, as amended, will now stand
as follows


ID ResoIued, That the organized Terrific
ries of the United States although not en-
dowed with all the attributes of sovereignty
are yet justly entitled to the right of self
government, and the undisturbed regulation
of their domestic or local affairs, subject to
the Constitution of the United States, to es
tablish or prohibit, or abolish the relation of
master and slave in Territory, would be a
departure from the original doctrine of our
American institutions, and that we adhere
immovably to the principles of mon inter
vention" by Congress, with slavery in the
States and Territories, as declared in the
"Kansas-N Nebraska Bill" and openly discaim
fellowship with those, whether at the South,
the North, or the West, who counsel the
abandonment, limitation or avoidance Of that
principle"


So Davis and Brown of Mississippi are en-
dorsed in California Slave Code Conven-
ton, and Congress may, according to these
new lights, MAINTAIN slavery in Territory,
although they can neither establish nor pro
hibit" it. Congress can only MAINTAIN slave
ry in Territory by a Congressional Stare
Code. This every sane man admits This
jeff. Davis and his supporters admit, and
they demand the code The Soft Shell Plat
form of the Lecomps adopted on Friday was
an oversight, for it said Congress ought not
to maintain slavery in Territory The Sc
cessionists saw the trick on Saturday, and
declared, by their action that Congress ougbt
to MAINTAIN. Slavery in the Territories.
Let us hear no more brazen assertions by the
Lecompton press, that the California Lecomp-
tonites are opposed to Congressional Slave
Code for the Territories. Let us hear no more
of their insolent pretensions that they are
friendly to Douglas who says, in every thun.
der.storm he creates at Washington, that
Congress ought neither to establish main
tain Tor rrotect), prohibit or abolish slavery
in the Territories, which are the common
property of the States. Cling to your idols,
and steal not "the livery of the Court Of
Heaven TO serve the Devil in.