The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1849-11-16
From tho Ohio Patriot:
New tests. InterpOlations, &c, &c.

We have Witnessed IN salence, but with
none the less regret, the irritabillty and
disrespect which have long characterized
the M. Vernon Banner in its discussion
with and treatment Of those who differ with
it on the subject Of Slavery Legislation. 1t
had been our hope that this uneasy feel
ing iflet alone, would die out from self-ex-
haustion; and hence, we have hitherto re-
Trained from uniting with many Of our de-
mocaatic contemporaries in protesting a
gainst the Banners bitter war upon all who
claim the assistance Of Congress in arrest
ing the extention of slavery in California.
1t seems. however, that our expectation is
not to be realized, and that its thirst for
conflict is still unslaked. In the Banner
Of the 23rd October, the editor sounds the
note Of preparation for the approaching 9th
of January Convention, and sif determin-
ed to keep up the war, he says:
"Lel the Democracy of Old Know, move
forward in this glorious work, y Let
good men and true be selected as delegates
men who will frown Indignantly upon any
attempt to introduce NEW TESTS or INTER-
poLATE new principles into the Democrat
ic creed, ond all will be we'll
Such is the language of Mr.. Dunbar, the
editor of the Banner. We give his own
words that his purpose may not be misun-
derstood He advises tina. delegates be
appointed for specific purpose, and that
purpose shall be to fiOum DOWN those
who differ with them on subject of excl
ting interest to the entire Democracy of
Ohio. Is this the counsel of prudence?--
Is it conceived in the spirit of harmony
Is it the offspring of true democratic splr-
it?
We have none but kind feelings to the
Banner or its editor. On nearly all po-
littcal questions which have agitated the
country during past years, our views have
been nearly identical. AT che very onset
of the hard money struggle, we went stimuli
taneously into the field and throughout the
conflict, stoop shoulder to shoulder. But
on this question of slavery extension, our
doctrines are Numerically opposite; and
whilst we freely concede honesty of pur-
pose to Mr.. Dunbar, we claim and demaud
the same concession to ourself and the great
mass of the Ohio Democracy whose senti-
ments are essentially our own. To AFRO
gate to himself better the democracy, or
purer principle, than those who differ with
him, is what cannot be tolerated either in
Mr.. Dunbar himself or in these for whom
he spcaks. All euoh assumptions are in
bad taste let them come from what quarter
they may.
In regard to the matter Of new tests
and interpolating new principle into the
democratic creed it is those of the Demo
cracy who act with Mr.. Dunbar that have
been the offending party. The new tests
have been introduced by them, and in nc
slave state in the Union have they found
a more importunate advocate than the Mt
Vernon Banner. Up to the assembling
of the National convention in the year 1886
Democrats were left free to act and speak
as it suited them on the question of sla-
very. Previous to that period, the people
Of all parties were wholly untrammelled
On the admission otMissouri as slave state
democrats waited as they pleased without a
feaI of being assailed as Abolitionist. But
unfortunately for the American Democra-
cy, a NEW TEST was introduced in
1886. The Baltimore Convention of that
year. 'interpalated new principles doc
trines into the Democratic creed" and its
leading spirits sought henceforth to keep
the National Democracy in bondage to the
South. The new test then introduced
and hitherto unknown, is in the itilicised
portion of the following resolution:
"Resolued, That Congress has no power
under the constitution to interfere with or
control the domestic institutions of the sew
eral States, ank that such States are the
sole and proper judges Of everything ap-
pertaining to their own affairs not prohibi-
ted by the constitution; that all cforts ofMe
a6olitionists, OR OTHERS made to induce
Congress- to interfere wiM questions Of sia-
uery, or to take incipiem steps IN relation
Mweto, are recalcalated to lead the most alarm
ing and dangerous consequences: and that all
such efforts hare an inevitable tendency TO d.
miniso Mehappiness ofthe people, and endan-
ger the stability and permanency Of Me Union
and ought not TO be coan,enanced By any friend
Of oar political distractions"
This is the new test, the new princi-
pies interpolated into the democratic creed,
which have huug like a milestone about
the neck of the American Democracy,
throughout all subsequent contests. Year
after wear has this same new test, heep