The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-11
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM SENATOR CHASE
CINCINNATI, August IS, 1881.

CINCINNATI, August 20, 1891.
My DEAR SIR You ask, what is the duty of
Free Soil Democrats in relation TO our State Elec-
tions to be held in October next? | will not I'M
dertake to answer that question for every Free
Soil Democrat is entirely competent to determine
for himself what duty requires of him, but ! am
quite willing to state without reserve, what course
feel myself bound to take and to submit the reasons
which guide my action to the candid judgment Of
my fellow citizens.
For myself, then, | say, that accept the plat
form and shall support the ticket of the Demo-
cratic Convention held on the 9th inst
No one will claim, ! suppose, that this platform
is complete exposition of all proper and needful
applications of Democratic principles II is, |
think, especially to be regretted that the Conven-
tion omitted TO take distinct ground in favor Of
Land Reform, and Of the practical measures OBJ
viously necessary TO carry into full effect its own
doctrines on the subject Of slavery. There is
nothing however, in these resolutions, relating to
State or National policy, which will not command
the hearty concurrence of every sincere aud
earnest Democrat while the indispensable neces-
sity to Democratic unity and success in Ohio, of
consistent adhesion to the principles embodied In
them, will afford sufficient guarantee to the
friends of Freedom, Reform, and Progress, that
they will be faithfully carried out to their legiti-
mate results At all events should the event unhsp-
ply prove Otner IMAM ~ hOptu anu binster lbHuen-
ees hereafter prevail with any future Democratic
Convention TO set up another and lower platform,
State or National, either by resolutions or nomi-
nations, the responsibility of dividing the Democ-
raoy will not he upon those who adhere, in good
faith, TO the resolutions unanmosly adopted on the
9th and refuse their support to platforms and can
didates Of sptagonizing principles.
These resolutions distinguished by especial APP
probation those radical and truly Democratic
features Of the Constitution which, 1t is well un-
derstood could not have been engrsfted upon 1t
without the aid Of Free Soil Democrats in the
Convention, and which enlisted in it's behalf not
my vote only, but my steady advocacy from its
PRONUNCIATION by the Convention to its adoption
by the people. These provisions establish as fun
damental law the we'll known views Of the Democ-
racy in relation TO the popular election OF public
servants; the limitation Of State Indebtedness,
coupled with the prompt and honorable discharge
Of existing obligations the equal taxation Of all
property, whether corporate or individual the re-
stricion of legislative power TO legitimate subj
Of general legislation and the repeaabilty Of all
laws enacted, by which latter provision the SOW
ereignty Of the people is made efficient and COM
plete. The same sound judgment which selected
these provisions for special approval was displayed
in the resolution which declares that the Govern
ment created by the Constitution is Of delegated
powers merely, and that all powers not expressly
| delegated, and not necessary TO the execution
Of delegated powers, are reserved to the people.
No Democrat will dissent from those resou-
lions which administer a deserved rebuke to the
| Wing Administration now controlling the action
Of the General Government, and which reaffrm
| those Democratic doctrines In relation to the
| Tariff, the Bank Of the United States, and the
Independent Treasury, which have already become
settled convictions Of the people, not likely to be
soon disturbed
On the subject Of slavery, the Convention reaf-
firmed the resolutions adopted in ls4s, and again
in 1850. The language of these resolutions IL
Sufficiently explicit. They distinctly affirm the
| duty of Government 10 use all power clearly
given by the terms Of the National Compact, to
prevent the increase to mitigate and finally ersdi.
cate the evil Of slavery With equal distinct.
ness they deny the power Of the National Legisls
tire TO "legislate or encroach y upon the right
Of each State to adopt and modify it's own NUM-
cipal laws; 70 regulate Its own internal affairs
aud TO hold and maintain an equal sovereignty
with each and every other Staten
The true import Of these resolutions, obvious
enough upon their face, has often been declared
by Democratic assemblagesi In various parts Of the
State
The Democracy Of Huron and Erie countries
assembled in Convention at Norwalk, September
Is, ls49, announced the following propositions az
embodied in them.
al That Congress, by prompt and ample ac-
ton, should provide for the exclusion Of slavery
from the Territories and all other places under
exclusive National jurisdiction.
"2. That there is no authority in the General
Government to legslate upon the subject Of slavery
AS II exists in the States
"3. That there should be no farther federation
OF slavery in the District Of Columbia
81. That the influence OF the General Govern
ment should be kept actively aud perpetually on
the side Of Freedom, thus relieving the American
People from all responsibility for the existence or
continuance Of slavery
The Democracy Of Carroll county, at a meeting
held February %, 1850, TO rasify the nomination
OF Judge Wood for Governor, after reciting the
state Convention Resolutions on slavery, proceed
ed as follows:
RssotDed, That we recognise as embodied In
the resolutions an express declaration that the
Democracy Of Ohio will use all constitutional
power TO prevent the increase, to mitisate and
finally eradicate the evil Of slavery.
RssoiUed, That, in order 10 carry out sajd dec
larstion, 1t Is the duty Of the Democratic Repre-
sentatives In Congress 10 use all endeavors 10 ar
tend, without delay the principles Of the Ordi.
nance Of 1857 TO the Territories acquired BY the
United States under the late treaty with Mexico.
and thus constitutionally prevent the increass Of
slavery
"Rsselped, That 10 each State, in It's sovereign
capacity. belongs the exclusive right 10 lexslste
upon lie own domestic concerns and that with