Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-07-18
Choosing their Ground.


On the 25th of June last convention
of Freesoiers assembled at Ravenna.
Speeches were made by Senator Chase,
Mr.. Gictlings, Samuel Lewis and Judge
Spalding. A long series Of resolutions
were reported by Daniel II. Tilden, and,
after discussion and amendment, were
adopted. They recommend a separate
organization for State and national pur-
poses. They very charitably vote that
everybody else is corrupt and pro slave.
ry but themselves. they have come
under the influence of Chase and Spal-
ding e. Co., so far as 10 adopt the name
of the Free Democracy" They vote
| tina, there is but one topic of public in.
terest, aud that is Slavery or anti-Slavery;
everything else is lost in the fog. They
feel that their true mission is, to main
tain The liberties of the people. They
decide that the Democratic party, by
becoming the advocate of pro-slavery
notions, is no longer entitled 10 the name
of Democracy; that il rightly belongs to
them, and that the old fogies must 60 and
hunt them up new one. They glorify
The new constitution as great step in
progress, but GO in for amendments,
among which are universal suffrage. SIN
gle districts, and more extended repre-
sen,alion in both branches Of the Gen
eral Assembly. They recommend hold
ing a National Convention at Cleveland,
on the Oath of September next, to con-
suit together as 10 the next Presidential
canvass. They recommend thorough
organization Of the "Free Democracy"
in every county and township of the
State. The higher law doctrine is en-
dorsed as follows:
Resolved, That we cannot, respect,
nor can we con6de in those lower law
doctors Of divinity, who hold human
laws above the laws of God; nor can we
concur in their teachings that the divine
law is subject 10 Congressional con,pro.
misses
The men down in South Carolina and
Mississippi will be very glad 10 hear that
they have so brave aud numerous band
of co-workers in Ohio, who refuse 10
submit to the law Of the land and who
thus openly counsel a disregard of its
requirements. twill be very convent
en-. 10 them when they wish TO burn Abb
clifton papers that get into the mail, or
mob and lynch any inceneiary preacher
or pedlar that happens to stray off in
that direction. Once throw open the
door, broad and wide, and proclaim from
the house top that we are under no obi
CATION, moral or legal. to respect and
obey any law that may happen TO be re-
garded as wrong or ia our way, and we
shall have fine, nice time Of il. Is il
possible that any body of intelligent,
men, who claim 10 be sane, can really and
seriously put forth the idea that every
man in the community is at liberty to
Judge whether human law is in oppo-
silion to any divine law or not, and to
Justify his disobedience on this ground!
Have the Democracy progressed so far
that they can tell, at glance, whether a
human law contravenes some divine or
dinance? OF course every man, woman
and child is to determine this question
without submitting il TO any other tribu-
nal. OF course plea Of this kind
must be received in court when per-
son is arraigned for breach Of the law,
and, of course, ii would be rank iyran
ny TO submit the question to the court,
or TO the jury, TO decide whether there
was really this conflict of Jurisdiction
Every person must judge for himself,
and this judgment must be final or else
there is an end of this stree democratic
principle. - Columbus Journal.