The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-04
GREAT NATIONAL FREE SOIL CONVENTION.

il might serve to break the spell of apathy which
seems to have taken possession of the public mind
and infuse little courage into the faltering ranks
of our representatives in Washington. What an
occasion we have for such meeting, and how I'M
portant its result! Shall calmly look on, while
the Shareholders are holding their Southern Con-
ventions, backed by State Legislatures for dis
union and slavery-and we, the people OF the
North, do nothing for freedom and the protection
of democratic institutious2 The suggestion is
timely and important and should be taken into
consideration by all who have the means and in
fuence to carry through such an undertaking
Western Citizen
That's the talk Such a convention we must
have Who will help roll on the ball? What
say you, friend Vaughan, Of the Tine Democrat?
Wisconsin, Free Democrat.
We have received many letters from different
quarters seconding the proposition for National
Convention of the Free Democracy. 1t seems to
us that some general movement is necessary to
save the cause Of freedom from the perls to which
it is exposed through the misconduct Of the old
parties. 1t was thought by many that, after the
defeat of the Democratic party under the leader
ship of General Cass, it would abandon its false
position in relation to slavery thrust aside its old
pro-slavery leaders, and carry out in good faith
the principle of equality Of rights in application
to every question Of policy
In what other way could it revive its vitality
and resume its accustomed ascendency in the
federal councils2 The Administration showed
no disposition to call up old issues. There was
no probability of the revival of the Tariff as a
political question between the parties. The idea
of q National Bank was obsolete. The scheme Of
LAID Distribution had been superseded by that
| OF Land Reform. On what ground then, could
the Democracy be rallied as a party? Some
great principle it must hsve--a principle to be
worked out into practical results. Processing
the doctriae Of equality in the nae4ss} rights of
!, 49, hs-;2g sSsr~-sf9l1y enforced this 6N"-
trne in the overthrow of banking monopoly,
and in the establishment of at least the principles
of free trade, what remained but that it should
seek its application under the new formula,
g Free Soil and Free La1Or?"
Influenced by this view, the Democratic party
of New York seemed willing to plant itself upon
this ground In Wisconsin similar state Of
things prevailed In other States the Democratic
the result was, a patient waiting on the part Of
Free Soil men for final development, so that
they might determine whether to maintain their
separate organization, or fall in with one of the
old organizations in its regenerated condition.
The favorable tendencies indicated were soon
arrested q retrograde movement was disclosed
The old pro-slavery leaders of the Democracy
generally resumed their ascendency. Cooperation
in some States with the Free Soil men was
stunned in others, they were mathematical
The action of the Democratic representatives in
Congress demonstrated their willingness to sub
nit again. in the matter of organization, to slave
holding ascendency The Democratic press, in
q majority of the free States, lowered its tone on
the subject of slavery, and became apparently in
different to the question. The demands of the
slavery propagandists in Congress aroused no
spirit Of active resistance their threats passed
unrebuked As organization became necessary
in the ss~eral States. 1T was .obyiona that old
| counsels prevail In Ohio, the Democratic
State Convention refused to adopt the Wilmo'
Proviso In Pennsylvania, the Democratic mem
bers Of the Legislature declined to re-aiirm the
doctrine of positive prohibition Of slavery. Dem
ocratic members of the Michigan Legislature, il
the House, have passed resolutions praising Gen
Cass for his labors to preserve Union, which
would have been Just as safe had he confined him
self to the business of penning memoirs of Court
and Courtiers; and have voted down resolutions il
favor of the Wilmot Proviso, although they hav'
not strength enough to rescind the instruction.
previously passed, binding their Senators to sus
tain the Proviso The State Democratic Conven
ton Of Connecticut abures the doctrine Of Free
Soil, although, after having done so, in certain
districts it is found necessary to court Free Sol
men for the sake of securing Democratic triumphs
And in Congress, thus far, but two Democrati
Senator's from the North have made any bol(
avowal of anti-slavery principles; while in tn
House, but one Democrat from the free States
has made speech in favor of slavery restriction
by positive law,
So much for the Democratic party. How
stands the Wing party Where are its leaders
The Washington Union claims that they hav
gone over to the Cas- platform. So they have
except those of them who have embraced the pol
lev of non-action recommended by General Tay
lor. Mr.. Clay is for non intervention-Mr. Web
ster is for on-intervention-Mr Corwin is ye
silent-Mr Seward speaks bravely, but we hav
vet to learn that his influence is to be exerted il
favor of the Wilmot Proviso. Mr.. Winthrop
will not declare himself in favor Of the Proviso
but thinks the Presidents policy judicious. Mr.
Ashmun abuses, ridicules Free Soil men, repudi
ates sectional parties, offers to compromise sub
staptially on the ground of Henry Clay's resolu
tions, or to support non-action, indicating hi
purpose to vote the Proviso, only in the event o
being compelled to vote upon it. The organs o
the party all through the free States and its loca
leaders, sustain the policy of non-actioa-consen
to waive the Proviso-and signalize in every wa.
their hatred of Free Soil men. Rarely do yo'
hear from any of them manly avowal OF opposi
ton to the extension of slavery, indignant rebuk
of the course Of the Slavery Extensionists, o
the declaration of fixed purpose to Illustrate
: by every honest means their wicked schemes. il
} some quarters disposition is plainly manifeste'
by the members of both the old parties to unit
for the purpose Of crushing the Free Soil mer
They would rid themselves of these disturbers Q
their peace, that they may once more, in security
renew their noble contest for the spoils Of Office
In some parts of Ohio, for example, the Wing
and Democrats have united upon one set of can
didates for the Convention to revise the Consti
tuition, with view to defeat the Free Soil candi
dates.
While the old parties are thus retrogradine
their Representatives in Congress are besiege
with letters from political demagogues at home
urging them to settle, by compromise or in an