The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-11

Z
tiOns adopted and reafirmed by the Convention,
and the obvious import Of It's action, in the light
/ of the declarations Of Democratic local Assem-
| blages and Of the Democratic Press, and remem-
/ beriug that the recent Convention-tO use the
language and ValicS Of the Washington Union on a
recent occasion" omitted, and by emitting re-
fused 10 sustain the Compromise" Of the last Con-
/ gress, or to recommend any candidate for the
/ Presidency implicated In It's support-can it be
reasonably doubted that the platform Of the Con-
vention and Of the Democracy Of Ohio, as repre-
sented by il, is substantially that upon which
have ever professed my readiness TO stand2 Ii
this cannot be doubted, Is IL not as clearly my
duty 70 accept the platform, and sustain the
nominations-unless, indeed, it can be shown
that the nominations, or some of them, were not
fit TO be maden -as it would be TO refuse both
| platform and ticket if the Convention had en-
dorsed the Compromise or the Fugitive Slave
Act, or had omitted to take action on the Slavery
question, or had recommended q candidate for the
Presidency holding or protesting views opposite
TO its own2
am, perhaps the more ready to respond affirm
atively to this question because | 80 fully concur
with the Convention rs TO the importance Of the
great STATE ISSUE involved in the approaching
election namely, "ShdH The Government created By
the nerp Constitution be administered By The ieds OF
| the opponents of Us adoption ?p The recent expe-
rience Of New York in the creation, by its Legis-
lature and without the constitutional sanction of
the people, Of an enormous debt, in the shape of
certificates to be paid out Of future Canal Reeve
nues, should warn US Of the danger Of committing
the administration of our public affairs to those
who are opposed, in principle, to the limitations
on legislative power which the Constitution i'm
poses.
Most earnestly do desire to see the Govern
ment Of the State administered in the spirit of the
Constitution which the people Of Ohio, grateful
to Almighty God for their freedom" have estab-
lished TO secure its blessings and promote their
common welfaren In the adoption Of the new
Constitution, the noble work Of Democratic pro-
gress, which our pioneer hthers auspiciously
commenced by the adoption Of the old, has been
visibly advanced Further progress remains to
be achieved for, though Democratic principles
are eternal justice, their practical application
to the affairs of men is the constant work Of
oessive generations. The new Constitution rec
ognises this truth and, in the provisions which
il contains for its own amendment tacitly enjoins
the duty Of progress That Injunction | trust
will not be disregarded. Let US hope, rather,
that while the powers conferred by il are exer-
csed with reference 20 its great objects-the free
dom and welfare of the peOpe-and with strict
regard to the limitations prescribed by it, both
the Legislature and the people will stand ready to
; propose and adopt such amendments as reason
and experience shall chow 10 be necessary TO Sc
cure equal rights ard SsS0S 51ssS5c 4oall.
Nor are my desires limited 10 the application Of
{ the ISy q --'st irsssa n sts 49, e
fairs. | wish that their spyi may animate fhe
action Of her Representative, in every branch of
the National Government No State eau be truly
honored or exert just influence with her sister
States, which does not, while carefully respecting
the principles and views Of others, resoutely and
with dignity maintain it's own. The Constitution
of Ohio declares that oil are, by nature, free
and independent, and that all political power is
inherent in the people IL prohibits slavery pro-
vides ample guarantees for personal liberty and
enjoins economy. IL the Representatives of Ohio,
whether in the Halls Of Congress or in the Cab
met, or upon the Bench, or in the Diplomatic
Corps evince, by speech or action, contemptu-
GUS disregard or lax indifference towards these
fundamental declarations and provisions the char
acter of the State must necessarily suffer. IT, on
, the other hand, they prove themselves, on all Oc
oasions to be animated by their spirit, the State
honored by the consistent adherence Of her sons
to her principles and injunctions, cannot fail Il
receive the homage Of affection and respect from
, all who love liberty and revere justice.
have said nothing of the ticket, nor is it need
full to say much. The nominees Of the Convention
are, for the most part, well known to the voters
Amy citizen, uniformed in this respect, can easily
satisfy himself before he votes and should, doubt
does not, in my judgment, involve the duty Of
voting for every nominee upon it, without refer
ence TO character orsqualifcations Ii is only
proper for me TO say Ia this connection, that while
none Of the Democratic nominees have 30 far as
am aware made themselves conspicuous by OPP
position TO the doctrines Of the Convention, on
slavery or any other subject two Of them were
members Of the Legislature which repealed the
, Black Laws, and voted for that act Of humanity
| md khar a. a Ind Of
2 Supreme Court by that Legislature; another wal
elected to the same high office by the last Legs
lature, with the concurrence and by the aid o
Free Soil Democrats; and another STILL distin
. guished by the wisdom of his editorial oounsels
his prudence his integrity, and his conciliator!
spirit, is hardly less distinguished by his condem
nation OF the new test on the subject OF slavery
introduced into the Democratic creed by the Bal
timore Convention and by his steady advocacy o
the Jeffersonian doctrines in relation to th,
Extension Of Slavery
IL may be said however, that after all, tn,
Democracy Of Ohio will not maintain the GROUND
they have taken, but will hereafter, directly oil
indirectly, under the imagined necessity Of con
ciliating support to National nominations for the
Presidency and Vice Presidency, endorse tn,
Compromises Of 1850 and the Fugitive Slay,
Law have already indicated what my cours,
must be- in that event. in letter to q Democrat
ic Convention in Clinton county, and will now
only repeat what then said
) at must be remembered that this support may
be purchased too dearly. There is great BODY
Of Democrats who will never submit TO subiuRa
ton to the slave power, and their number In
, creases continually They will, II need be, prefer
Independent action, under truly Democratic ban
ner, and upon thoroughly Democratic platform
to the surrender Of Democratic principles for the
sake Of mere party success"
In the views which have now stated, | regret
that cannot expect the concurrence Of all the
devoted friends Of freedom and progress with
whom have been accustomed TO act. | am aware
that differ with some for whose opinions | en-
terrain so great respect that would cheerfully
sacrifice to them anything short of my own clear
convictions Of personal duty. must abide, also,
the censures Of those Free.Soilers who allow
themselves to see in Democracy only mslgn
spirit servile to ali wrong and hostile to all good
and look TO dissolved and reconstructed Wing
party for the realization Of their ideas Of meliora-
ton and reform. or the other assaults, by the
mean and malignant, who gloat Islander and
revel in falsehood, | make no account. ! have
never noticed them, and | never shall. To the
honest aud fair-minded who differ from me, will
say, that have carefully considered the existing
aspects Of political affairs with sincere desire TO
ascertain in what way can most efeciuslly serve
the great cause Of equality and llberty--identi-
CAL in my judgment, with Democrsoy-to which
the best efforts Of my life have been devoted.
Hereafter ss hitherto, shall be faithful! to that
cause. Time will determine whether or not my
course is wisely taken Meantime il is not too
much to ask for judgment with oandor.
remain, with true regard, your friend
SP. CHASE.
To Mr.. c. r. Miller,
Editor Toledo Com. Republican
4 ~