The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-10
THE POSITION OF PARTIES WHAT SHALL
BED0NE


BED0NE.
From the Brandon Post
The leading men and influences of both the old
parties now stand upon the same platform-both
pledged to sustain the Compromise measures
especially the Fugitive act-as the grand test of
hdelity to Democratic and Wig principles All
the old political questions about which those par
ties have been warning, with exceeding fury and
ierocity, for years have been abandoned, and they
have settled down into the great work of vieing
with each other in their expressions of devotion
to Southern interests and principles and in estab
fishing their claims to the support of the South
The party styled the Free Democracy have re-
pudiated the test adopted by the old parties, and
have adopted, as fundamental articles Of their
creed, opposition to the encroachmeuts exsctioDs,
and domination of the slave power-the use Of all
the power of the Government under the Consti-
tuition to limit, locaiize, discourage, and abolish
slavery-and to maintain the interests of free
men, free institutions, and free principles as the
great and paramount object Of the Government Of
the Republic. la connection with these doctrines
the Free Democracy are pledged to sustain all
measures of Democratic policy, both in the State
and National Governments, as established by the
people, and as taught and enforced by the cham
pions Of that policy from the early history Of the
Government to the present time The great
and which is pressing for decision is, what cOury,
shall pursue IN the eomuag Presidential election Can
it unite with either of the old parties in the sup
port of National candidates, on the platform and
pledges which they have prescribed for their ad-
herentsl For ourselves We can answer that
question without hesitation. In our opinion, the
Free Democracy cannot unite with either the
Wings or old line Democrats in the support Of
candidates pledged to their tests the subject Of
slavery and the compromise measures To do so
would be distinct and unprincipled abandon.
ment of leading and fundamental article of their
creed. What then is to be done? Are we to fold
our arms and sink down into state of inactivity
and give the reins to opponents and leave then
to mould the people and Government to their
will Or shall we hold up steadily and courage.
ously the banner Of our faith-the old Democratic
standard first given to the winds by ] efferson-and
call upon the true-hearted and independent voters
of the nation to rally with us around that standard
carried by men who are pledged to its principles,
and unwaverng in their devotion to them We
take the latter alternative, and we shall 20 where
Democratic, An'i-Slopay Democratic JberSonOH
Democratic principles lead, if we 60 alone When
we speak Of Anti-Slavery Democracy and Jeffer-
sonian Democracy, we do not mean to be under
stood as confirming our creed to the anti-slavery
issues of the Democracy, not looking beyond them
to other great interests and measures which may
be needed to promote the prosperity and secure
the rights of the whole people, against any species
of special, and partial and class legislation, but we
mean to be understood as pledging ourselves to
maintain, in connection with all sound Democrat
ic measures of national policy, the anti-slavery
doctrines and policy Of Jefferson in restricting,
limiting, and discouragiug slavery by all consti-
tutional means, and restricting the extension and
domination of that institution In the affairs of
Government While we will not suffer our anti
slavery doctrines TO thrust aside entirely other
measures Of Democratic policy, In State and Ma
tional legislation, we shall be sure that those
measures do not lead US to sacrifice jot or title
Of the principle of opposition to slavery in every
proper and constitutional form. In short, Democ-
racy with US is no Democracy, II 1t does not en-
brace the antislavery principle as its chief cor
ner stone The moment that it demands subser-
vieney to the interssts or tnhests of slavery a
test Of its fellowship it becomes with as spurious
sort Of Democracy - Democracy in name, but
tyranny in principle democracy in garb, but
oppression in sprit-in a word "the play Of
Hamlet with the part of Hamlet left outn Upon
the platform of Freedom and Democratic meas
ures of public policy, with candidates represent
ing truly its principles We believe the party must
stand to be true TO itself and true to the principles
of freedom, humanity and popular sovereignty,
which lie at its foundation, and upon which 1t must
prevail now, as it did in the early days of the
Republic. We rejoice to witness manifestations
of concurrence in these views from various quar-
tiers.