The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-02-02
Democratic Opinion of Democratic
Representatives


Representatives.
There are some of the so-called Democratic
newspapers that seem to be lost to all shame,
all regard for right, and show willingness to
sacrifice every thing at the shrine of party, for
the sake of the crumbs of Office. Let our
Representatives do as they may, let them
trample on the constitution and on humanity,
the seryile tools who conduct these papers
either defend them in it, or pass over their
acts in silence or make an allusion to them
only in sneers aimed at those who hold up the
deeds of these unfaithful servants to the gaze
of the community and invoke just punish
ment on them. But there are others of the
Loco papers that manifest on the part of their
editors some regard to decency, some faint de-
sire for the triumph of right, although the de-
sire is not strong enough to lead them to speak
out boldly and pointedly. They seem to wa
yer between self-interest and the love of right,
though the former generally gets the advan-
tage. The Belfast Journal may, perhaps, be
considered one of this latter class. In its last
number it condemns somewhat the course OF
the seventeen Northern men who voted to lay
on the table the Resolution of Mr.. Giddings,
which we published last week. 1t says:
"a resolution was last week introduced in
the U. S. House of Representatives which we
think no man from free or slave State should
have voted to lay on the table. 1t seems
slave, at Washington, purchased his freedom
for $500, that he paid all but $3.50, when he
was seized, gagged, bound, taken to prison,
and otherwise ill-treated, and finally carried
south and sold. Seventeen members from
free States Ca part wings and a part democrats)
voted against referring the subject to COM
mittee. All legislation in the District of Col
umbia is directly under the control of Con-
gress, and no man could be considered as in
terfering with Southern rights by suffering it
to be investigated besides it is the easiest and
shortest way to get clear of it. Members
stand better with the South who vote honestly
and straight forward, and at home they are
looked upon as possessing independence and
integrity It is hard to make men believe
there is not some kind of restraint-some kind
of voting to order in this business. If men
would he respected, consulted and possess a
share of influence, they must show that they
can stand erect and walk without leading
strings"
The Journal, to have been fair, should have
stated what proportion of the seventeen were
Wings, Eve believe there was but ono among
them. And it would have made its article a
good deal more effective for good. had it told
the people that three of the Loco Representa-
tives from this State were among the seven
reen recreants. We, however, invite the at
tenton of those who belong to the Journals
party, in this Congressional District. to the
article of the Journal, which we have quoted,
and ask them if they can uphold man who,
as one of their own organs intimates, has not
roted "honestly and straight. .tor1card,' has not
stood erect but has been held in "leading-
strings" lin other words, is a tool of Southern
masters
By the way, while we are on this subject
we would state, on the authority of the Ken
nebec Journal, that Mr.. Belcher of this State
whose name is not recorded on this question
and who has been accused of "dogging," by
the Liberty Standard, was prevented by sick
ness from being present.