The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-06-11
Hon. i. II. BENroN.
Dear Sir:

take the frs, moment of leisure after
my arrival at thls place to answer your
kind communication of the 18th OF Janu-
airy, ana to let YOU know how much
was panied al seeing the proceedings Of
the most respectable meeting of which
you were Chairman. 1t was precisely
to foreslall and prevent such manifesto
lions in my favor, that spoke 10 the
point of the next Presidency in my speech
at Boouvlle, IN the summer OF 1914 -
and al! the sentiments which then eX
pressed, remain in full fIrce now,
strengthened and confirmed by all that
has since happened. then brought for.
ward the glarng fact that, in about fifty
years existence Of this Federal govern
ment, the Democracy Of The North had
given but one Presidcn, to the Union,
and that one but for a single term; and
his (uG late) from a southern opposition
to northern men. then took it upon
myself to say that this course of things
would have 10 be changed, oiherw IS
there would be an end of the Democratic
/ - - &c "''y -'tr s.--I-I go T-i-''
cal principles, and expressed my gralti-
cation that Mr.. Folks early and volunla-
ry self-denial had cleared the way for
northern Democratic candidate in 1913.
These were my sentiments in 1911;
they are my sentiments now, and are not
to be abandoned at the coming election,
when see new scheme developed from
the south for the permanent exclusion of
all northern men from southern support
for the Presidency. The frebrand reso.
lu,ians introduced into the Senate towards
the close of the late session, and their
practical application TO Oregon by which
we lost the Oregon bill. and leave the
people Of that territory a year longer
without law or government reveal this
scheme, and present new test on the
slavery question, which no northern man
can stand, and which, if adopted by the
south, must put an end To all future sup
port Of northern men from the southern
Democracy.
Heretofore. we, the slaveholding states,
hove stood together upon swn poinIs-de.
feure and comprehensive defence of
property and institutions and the compro-
misses of the laws aud of the constitutions;
and on these two points the great majori.
,y Of the north, Of both political parties,
have been able TO stand with us. But
row new position is to be ,aken--one
on which no northern man can stand.
PropagandIsm is now the doctrine Of the |
political sect which assumes 10 be the |
standard bearer Of all the slave holding
States and TO plant slavery, by law, in |
all the territories Of the United States,
even the most remote INSTRUMENTATION |
IN Oregon itself, and against the will of
ils inhabiiants--becom the design and |
the attempt! The words of the resolu-
lions, the speeches IN their favor, and .
their application 10 the Oregon bill, all
prove this, and show that the new doc
irine is intended to be made new polli-
cal test, to be applied TO all Presidential
candidates IN time to come, and, like all
new tests, intended TO supercede all for.
mer ones. and 80 constitute the sole crl-
t,ron for the trial Of candidates. Now
every body must see that il this new test
shall be adopted by the slave-holdng
States, there is an ED 10 all political sup
port of northern men in these states-lha,
the present organization of parties must
be broken up, aud new party formed,
bounded by geographical lines and rest
ing on the sole principle of slavery prop
aganJism. ! am not prepared for such
state of parties, nor for The eIec, which
it would have upon the harmony and sta
bilily of cur federal Union. ] see great
danger in this new move, and feel the
necessity Of meeting it al once, or not at
all; for il is pressed upon us now, and
will conquer us if we do not conquer ii.
The Presidential election Of 1913, is the
'lss; and it the new test can be made
o govern that election. shall consider {
he danger contaminated, and that there
must soon be an eud no, only Of the dem. /
'cratic party, bu, of all parties founded !
N principle, and eventually, an end OF