The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-06
From the NJ Y. Epening Post,
Senator Chase and the Ohio Free-soIIers

| We noticed, some time since, communca-
ten addressed by Senator Chase, of Ohio, to the
editor of a freesoil journal in that State, in
which he signi6ed his intention TO support the
candidates that had been nominated by the
Democratic State convention. This course, not
withstanding Mr. Chase's elaborate explanation,
and, as we thought, justification of his course,
has produced some constituencies among por-
tion of his friends, especially those whose poti-
cal associations previous TO lS4S were with the
Wing party.
In view of this feeling, we presume, Mr..
Chase attended the recent freesoil convention ut
Cleveland, and made a speech, mainly devoted to
the subject of his political relations. We copy
his remarks as they are reported by the editor of
| the Hartford Republican, who was present and
| heard them.
Mr.. Chase was replied to, by one or two
speakers, by Mr. Giddngs, at least, who doubt
ed the wisdom, though no one questioned the
integrity If his course. $50
Mr. Chase falls into one error, at least such
we deem it, in his commentary upon one of the
| Baltimore resolutions, that deserves correction.
| He says that the Baltimore platform forbids all
| Legislation upon the subject of slavery under
any circumstances This is a mistake. The
Baltimore resolutions dscountenance all inter
ference with the institution of slavery within
the States where it exists, but they do not ones
ton the right of Congress to pass any laws re-
lating to slavery, which may be necessary topro-
tect the constitutional rights of the people.
The passage of the Fugitive slave law, to
which Mr. Chase refers with such appropriate
disgust, received the votes and support of a
large number Of Democrats, who profess to oc-
cupy the Baltimore platform, and who, Of course,
never supposed they we're violating any of its
PRINCIPLES by ndvocating that bill in Congress, or
since then, upon the stump or in the pulpit
All the compromise measures would equally
come within the senator's prescribed category,
for they all involved not only agitation in Con-
gress, but Legislation upon the subject of slavery
OF the wisdom of Mr.. Chase's course In
pIedging his support to the Democratic ticket
we never entertained particle Of doubt. There
is no material difference of opinion between him
and the candidates which the Democracy Of
Ohio have put in nomination, upon the subject
| of slavery, while upon all other questions, and
many of those at present of paramount import
ance, there has never been diversity Of senti-
ment. Between him and the Wings, on the
other hand, there Is no coincidence Of opinion
upon any subject. They are, and have always
been, absolutely faithless 70 the professions OF
hostility to slavery; and upon other questions
they have no points Of doctrine or policy with
which Democrat could aympathize.
Mr.. Chase had but one other alternative, to
assist in maintaining separate party organiza
ton. Such course could have resulted IN but
one or two ways either to waaken and thereby
defeat either the Wing or the Democratic party,
for Il would not be pretended that any third party
has any chance Of sucocss now in Ohio. APP
! precating these considerations, and preferrng
the success of the latter to that OF the former,
especially while its moraLpoicy is under the de-
bilitaiing influence Of the present national adj
ministra'ion, Mr. Chnse very wisely, as we think,
joined his strength with those whose course he
most entirely approves. No Freesoier can OBJ
jcct TO any Of the declarations or impressions
of The Ohio Democratic State convention. Their
resolutions contain nothing at war with the
opinions uniformly professed and maintained by
Mr. Chase and hs political friends We there
fore can see no reason why Mr.. Chase should
not give the nominations Of that convention bis