The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-21

wy The Democratic convention Of Ohio re-
Gently assembled at Columbus, abstained from
any notice of the compromise measures---an,
thus adopted the policy of Senator CHASE.
"The following letter from Hon s. T.. Chase
(member of the United States Senate who hat
been Invited To address national Democratic
convention in Clinton county, has just made ia
appearance, and we give il as we find il in thu
Lancaster (Ohio) Gazette, July 80. This lette
will afford an explanation as to Senator Chase''
future course, and also partially account fol
similar movements taking place in other North
ern States -
LocKPoRT, July Z, 1851.
"My DEAR SR.--l regret exceedingly that
i'll health of member of my firmly will make
it impossible for me TO attend the Democratic
convention to be held at Wilmington, on the
10Th inst Few things would give me more salts
faction than to be present on that occasion, and
confer freely with my fellow-citizens upon the
course of action which a faithful adhesion to
Democratic principles now demand and it is
with real reluctance that relinquish the hope
of being with YOU
"Ceaseless efforts are now made, in certain
quarters, to commit the Democracy TO the sup
port of the compromise measures Of the last
Congress, adopted under the auspices and
through the influence of the existing Wing
administration. These efforts may be attended
with temporary and partial success; but they
cannot advance in any way the Democratic
cause, or hasten the triumph of Democratic
principles; on the contrary, just so far as they
succeed, they will, in my judgment, debase the
aims, lower the standard, and depress the ener-
gies of the Democracy.
The compromise measures stand condemned
by Democratic principles. The assumption of
the State debt of Texas; the conversion of the
national free territory into Texan slave terri
tory; the attempt to fetter the discretion of
future Congresses in respect to the admission of
new States, the omission to secure the inhab'-
tants of the new territories in the full enjoyment
of the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness, and the assumption of I'M
constitutional power in the enactment of the
odious Fugitive slave law, cannot be success
fully defended. Who believes that any Demo-
crat would attempt defence of them, were it
not for the imagined necessity of conciliatng
slaveholding support to national nominations
for the Presidency and the Vice-Presideucy
But it must DO remembered that this support
may be purchased too dearly. There is a
great body of Democrats who will never con-
sent to subjugation to the slave power, and
their number increases continually. They will,
if need be, prefer independent action under a
truly Democratic banner and upon Thoroughly
Democratic platform. to a surrender Of Demo-
cratic principles for the sake of mere party sue
cess.
trust that the Democracy of Clinton will
stand by the Democratic faith in its broadcast de-
veopement. They are not the men, one would
hope, to shrink from any just application of the
principles of Jefferson. 1t has become fashion
able in some quarters to deprecate the father of
American Democracy, and to disparage the
glorious truths which he embodied in the De-
claration of Independence. The Democracy of
amples, but standing together, upon the broad
platform of equal rights and exact justice for
all, and no special privileges for any, maintain
their consistency and their honor-under all
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for the time, prosper
Gus or adverse. Consistency and honor pre-
served, ennoble success. and dignity defeat.
Yours, very sincerely, S. P. CHASE.
The Wing convention in Ohio adopted tn
same policy.
Here are two parties in the largest State o
the Northwest, both represented in the Senat
ny abu'siaVrey Hen--CHAsE anu WADE-an'
both contending for the anti-savery vote a
home. We have seen what the Wings hav,
done in New York. In Massachusetts they ar,
attempting TO unite on Mr.. WINTHROP. The
Democrats OF Massachusetts,, in the Legislature
generally voted for SUMSER-those of New
York for DIx-both Freesoiers. In this state
of things, there are two or three ingenious gen
tlemen here at the seat of government, writing
editorials, and protesting to be organs of ma
tional parties. And what has become Of the
compromise? 1t rests now for support on a
small fragment of the Northern Democracy and
Southern Wings.