The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-05-30

-BRorarns Your principles are in danger The
ruth Is with you The people are with you the hopes OF
mankind are with YOU and yet you in the most en-
inen danger fdeieat Your peril is not in the strength
OF your adversary the soundness Of his principles or the
popularity Of his measures but in the divisions OF your
own political leaders
new element has been introduced into the contest
for the Presidency, which, without the utmost discre-
lion and forbcarancc on the part Of all true friends OF
Ibe country and sound principles threatens by excite
ents 10 divide and PROSTATE the party on whose union
success all thai Ia preciousn de-
pends.
Under these circumstances, it becomes every consid
ate democrat 10 i his voice in favor opeace; ITO pour
oil the troubled waters to npore hosewho are rush
ing into fraena Strife TO stop and reflect to check as
far az may be- with his voice and by his example, mu
ua criminaton and recrminations to recall the wan
derng eye Of the faithful democrat to the standard a.
round which we have so often fought and warm up his
heart with love for those principles which, under Jeter
son and Jackson entered into the battle cry, and were
the echo ofyictory.
The Question upon which the democratic party Is in
danger of division is the immediate annexation OF Tex
as 10 the United States The evils of this measure are
doubtless exaggerated on the one side and its benefits
1nagni6ed on the other 1t is the peculiar aptitude Of
the American people to run into extremes on matters o
opinion. Not unconscious ourselves OF the nfnily
which msleads Others shall endeavor 10 give you
without excitement or e1aggeration brief sketch ofthe
views we take Of this important question and its con-
neciion with the presidential election, happyi perchance
a;pIa in harT dnm0
cratic party induce them, with united 'front.' to march
On 10 victory.
We are not among those who have apprehensions Of
danger from the extension Of territory, so long as
our government is administered according 10 the true
spirit OF our constitution There are few great prn-
riples in which all mankind whatever may be the d.
rersity Of local circumstances and institutions have an
Cvual interest. One Of them is PEACE another is
RECIPROCAL FREE TRADE another THE IN
VOLATILITY of CONTRACTS. The reign OF
peace extends itself over all States which gather under
The shelter Of our constitution; between those States
trade is reciprocal and free and none OF them are al
liberty to pass any law impairng the obligation ofcon-
tracts II is only these and similar general Interests
that our constitution embraces-interests equally i'm
portantrothe human family in the temperate zone or
tho rgd at the equator and the polcs-eavtng every
Thing local to be regulated by local legislation Our
censtutson administered in its purity is like heavens
CANOPY, shield beneath which man may rOrk ont his
ocn kappnsss gather the means Of subsistence, sui
round himself with every comfort improve his mind,
correct his errors reform his Institutions and advance
his race to the highest degree of knowledge and virtue
which short life and finite mind will allow him 10 at
tain.
Why should we be 50 marrow minded and sefsh as
not to be willing to extend this blessed shield over as
large portion of the human family as we can, without
danger of ourselves We readily perceive why those
who wish to build up arsocTacies and systems otnob
lty on this continent the members OF which are to be
fed and clothed and housed by taxing the industry OF
ihe laborng millions should be opposed to an extension
nfterit9ry We well understand why such men prefer
that Texas should remain separate republic on The
South and canada become one on the North. Each,
with the United States must then have her seperae ar
my and navy the number to be supported by the toll
ci the farmer and mechanic must be greatly increased;
and ever and anon mans rulers and tormentor-who
know no glory but that Of the battlefield and consider
The mass oThe race as created only TO be worked ard
bu!chered 10 crafty their appeGtes and ambton-wil
the people oflhe three countries in rayagng each others
terrific ries and taking each others lives In the train
Of numerous standing armies and to CLEAN up from the
fields what the sol lions Of war TX We e.I must comes
will come, grinding taxation, coronets and crowns. -
Ilhere be any one among who would see their sons
torn from them 10 kill their fellow-lnen in Texas or
Canada, and the fruits Of their labor consumed to feed
andelo,he them in the operation and pamper chiefs and
lords-mitary and civil, in peace and war-rather
than the people ofthose countries should live with us in
peace and brotherhood -sIch men should, under ali
circumstances he opposed to the extension OF our ter
rilory Who viii say thai league among the nations
which should secure tire perpetual reign Of peace on
Garth" would moi be blessing to every naorl Who
will maintain, that if it secure 'good will among men
bv perfect eeeom OF intercourse the blessing woulC
not be greatly enhanced? Such league to the nations
over which it extends its protection, is our constitution
1t does not make different States one people, except
far as their interests are one 1t gives peace; give
reciprocal free trade and where the States whose in
teress are not one in those respectsl Nor are we
loDg those who think that dangers 10 our constitution
and Union will spring out Of an extension of terrior
and multiplication of States. Would dman ifhe coul
pull down the canopy Of heaven, which secures hin
lite and all lis enioymens7 As little would he desire
cast off the dominion Of aese principles which ourconst
Ia.ion eooles when he has once rcalzedthe blessing
they shower upon his race Fanatics will OCCASIONAL
arise, who would as were in their bgotry and fury
tear the sun rom the frmament lecause he shines o