The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-14
THE UNION.

Oh the question OF slavery Wnln
the democratic party IS fatal to It's ascendency They are
schooed IN that truth. When they with US twice sup
ported Mr. Van Buren, for the presidency and desired
again 10 support him the third time, we (they with us)
declared IN Tue most solemn manner by resolutions in
Congress and out of ii, that all political agitation which
tended 10 disturb the relation between The master and his
slave IN the several States although the object of the
agitation was in contraventon OF the spirit OF the const
tuition, which II was first duty 10 uphold and was
the worst lncendarsm, because il produced sectional di-
visions and dIscord between the people OF the several
States.
is that which unconstitutional when Mr. Van Blu.
rem was our candidate, constitutional now Is that which
was lncendiarsm then, less now These politicians
may change, but principles change; and the demo-
cratic party, standing fast to lis integrity then, de-
nounces such agitation as reasonable and lncendiary
hatever others may do that great party will maintain
the compromises of the constitution in their spirit and
with the candor OF truth This was the stone that was
made the CHEF OF the corner by the great apostles OF lib
erty, whom we humbly but sincerely follow
Nothing can better illustrate the entire abandonment
by the seceders of their former principles, than
rast their present conduct with their conduct Immediately
preceding the last Baltimore Convention They then de-
nounced such agitation ncendarism because neces-
sary result was sectional division They have since
without Provocaton, commenced the agitation and
point TO that very result accomplished by their agitation
as their Iuslhcahon Tor ITS commencement
They abandoned the democratic party, because in the
spirit of liberation and catholic berality, il determined
to MAINTAIN platform broad enough for them to stand
with u.s. The difference between is this. We do not
exclude them; but they have erected platform, SO
narrow in Its dimensions, that il will hold besides
themselves II IS possible for them to come to The
design OF their platform was to make it impossible for
to 60 to them and in that they were successful.
Why did the central power after their open and unds-
gushed abandonment Of the democratic party, as pro-
claimed at Her kimer, since seek the endorsement of
members OF the Legislature who happened to be Alba
ny? The men who then there were elected under
the old constitution Two several State conventions of
the democratic party had been held, since their election
under the new constitution Why these ves,ges
OF former political creation galvanized into show of
Gfe Were they cowed by the exhibition of public scorn
Tor Their athessness that they esortei to expedent
so extreme and desperate to give them little of the color
ing of that regularity which month before they so bold
ly secuted They again adopted at Albany the same
narrow, proscnpive, and bgoed creed They relaid
the same stone The priests that minister the
Did they intend to use this colong the foundation OF
claim for admission in the Baltimore convention Why
should they, with a declaration of principles wholly at
with the principles of the entire national democracy
which will assemble there seek admission among them'
They intelligent enough to know that if their princi-
Piles should get admission in that convention, the demo-
the convention will exclude that principle. What will
they then do? They abandoned the Syracuse convention
for its refusal to adopt that principle They will be
bound in honor also to abandon the national convention
for the The State convention for State
purposes, and they then abandoned it because il refused
to adopt principle OF national character having moth
at Syracuse, will be better at Baltimore; and they are
since pledged TO its sutciency. Those who believe that
they will abide BY the Baltimore convention, under any
circumstances, believe them to be inm of purpose
and more dshonorable than we do
What other object. then, can they have in view, than
claim to the honor of political martyrdom with view Of
making them more formidable for mischief in the ap-
preaching great struggle between the democratic party
and its enenies They labored diligently for days at
Syracuse for show OF marydom; but they were unsuc-
cessiu Experience has since proved TO them that they
would soon be powerless for injury to the democratic
party, If they did not endeavor to maintain position
within il. The principle which led them to abandon the
party is one they hold In common with the wing party.
They and the wing party are alike hostile to those who
oppose their principles. Where there is agreement in
principle there is tendency in the law of politics to Il
union which time will certainly accomplish. There can
be but two parties in this country, and they rag
ment of the with which they agree. AT one election
they gave the wings their present majority in the House
of Representatives at the succeeding election they gave
the wings all the executive departments and both houses
of the Legislature in this State and at TINS very hour.
when our country engaged in foreign war, they glory
Fellow citizens; the forced upon blythe aggres
sion of Mexico is the of country He that will
oppose it, or he that hesates in the support OF it, is not
OF the country. He is alien in sentiment within IT, and
Is unworthy of the association of Americans.
We in favor OF the acquisition OF territory COM
pensation and indemnity. Those who profess to be IN
favor OF the acquisition OF territory and insist upon the
agitation OF sub ect which will prevent it, cannot very
strongly commend themselves to the candid Judgment OF
the intelligent Those who openly advocate the ho-ter-
rtoy doctrine less TO be feared for they be met
in the open field of arguments the others the more
insldous and subtle foes, being in ambuscade.
Strongly as we are impressed with the woPrley and
justice OF the acquisition of territory, would despise
ourselves ii to avail ourselves of a conquest to
hatend because the weakness of enemy yield
Ell to strength. Such motive entirely repugnant to
those principles of moral justice which the life of the
democratic faith and democratic practice.
The title OF the Mexican government IS title by con-
quest from those who held 1t by conquest II we took 1t
and held it by the title, they could not complain.
Their title is legal; and our title would be also legal. AS
moral question, il they have wronged us, if they owe
us debt which they are morally bound to bay, anu
brought upon themselves the war by violating moral
duty, then moral right to retain the territory in the
payment OF the debt strong is the moral duty to
pay where payment is due From the very nature of our
institutions, and the form and design of our government,
quest such tenure is known in the international code
We would hold it, not for use, but for the use OF
man. be he there, come he whence he may. 1t would
be held only to be surrendered to the government OF the
occupants of the land Can territory be held by conquest
which is alike free to all and sgoverned to be gov
erned, by its occupants, by government OF their own? We
deny that such tenure tenure by conquest as such
tenure has been known in the world IT is no more
than the restoration of moral rights by legal means. We
the American peope) have devolved upon us the great
work of restoring to man his long lost rights. The means
by which to accomplish this end ought to be
legally as well morally just The field is part opened
to by the conduct of Mexico, and such moral and
legal means offered for Shall we occupy 1t ?
Shall we run with manly vigor the race that Is set
sckIy fanacism, and sink into enervatlng sumber!
Labor the consecrated means OF mans subsistence
when he created To replensh the earth and sub
due it, was his ordained mission and destiny. we feel
no emotion but pity for those whose philanthropy or
patriotism or religion has led them TO believe that they
can prescribe better of duty than that OF the
God who made us all They whose representatives we
daned They feel all the strength that The conscious
IF bein ryhf and to