The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-22
From the Toledo Ohio Commercial Republican
WASHINGTON UNIoN-oHI0 DEMOCRACY.
AUBURN, N. y


From the Toledo Ohio Commercial Republican
WASHINGTON UNION-oHIO DEMOCRACY.
Under this head the Norwalk Experiment
has some Just comments which we extract be-
low. The Washington Union has under Mr.
DoneSon's management INDUCED in frequent
attracks upon the Ohio Democracy. taking
especial pains to repudate Tor itself and for
the Democgptic party of the nation, all rcspon-
sbility for the wcllknown and oft-repeated
views Of the Ohio Democracy on the subject of
slavery extension.
A recent number of the SdnduSky County
Democrat contained long and able reply 10
the Unions recent assaults, and so complete
was the indication OF the position Of the Ohio
Democracy from the attacks Of the Union, that
we cut out the article from the Democrat, de-
signing to republish it entire in our columns
But the article having been lost or misIaid, we
are unable to do so. We quote from the Nor
walk Experiment
Some days since chance threw in our way
for we have not the honor of an exchange
the Washington Union of the 25th ult, con-
tanning an article, in reply to the Memphis
appeal in which the editor A. J. Donelson
undertakes to define the position of the Ohio
Democracy, and also takes it upon him to re-
pudidte our Senator in Congress, Hon. Salmon
Z. Chase. The Union asserts that the Ohio
Democracy approves and endorses the Compro-
misc Measures including the Fugitive Slave
Law! Now, so far from approving the meas
ures in question, we aver that the Ohio Democ-
racy distinctly disapprove-and for the evil
dence Of such disapproyal, we refer to the last
9Th of January convention, the largest dele
gated convention ever assembled in Ohio, when
direct attempt was made to endorse the Com
promise Measures but failed by an ovcrwhem-
ing vote This with the re-enactment of
former resolution on the subject of slavery, gave
the most entire satisfaction. Upon the princi-
pie that whoever is not in favor of a measure
must be opposed to it, we are quite willing to
rest the position of the Ohio Democracy on this
subject In reference to the cavalier treat
ment Of Senator Chese by the Union, wo have
only to say that Democracy in the latitude of
Washington seems fast becoming different
thing from that taught by Thomas Jefferson
According to the obiter dictum Of A. J. Donel-
son, no man can be simon pure Democrat
who does not include in his filth an approval
of slavery! Instead of denying to Mr. Chase
the fellowship of Democrats we would be
greatly obliged to the Union man if he would
point out wherein our Senator by either word,
vote or action, has ever sweryed from strict
Democratic course. 1t cannot be done. True,
he opposed the Compromise measures 30 call
ed, and for which the Democracy of Ohio will
ever honor him. more essentially Wing
measure never received the sanction of Con-
gress, albeit many protested Democrats gave it
their support. Clay and Webster were the
authors Of this famous measure, and whoever
h.. Of h.;c 81
smack of Whiggeryf The Union may take
what position it chooses, but we object to its
dictation to or prescription of others
In the article to which the Experiment re-
plies, the Union says, at as utterly false that
that part of The OHIO resolutions, as cited by tho
appeal, which is not contained or implied in
the Baltimore resolutions on the same subject
Now, the Union has never been asked TO
"approven of the platform Of the Ohio Dcmoc-
racy, on slavery or any other topic. In mat
ters involving Democratic principles our De-
mocraay are of the radidal, selfrclying stamp,
and thoy do not ask advicc-much less will
they consent to dictation. Why, then, is the
Union continually meddling with the Ohio
platform, and denouncing distinguished Ohio
Democrats in Congress, who in good faith car
ry out the instructions they have received from
their Democratic constituents
The Washington Union does not, and we
venture to say it dare not, specify the partieu-
lar points in the resolutions Of the Ohio Democ-
racy on the subject Of slavery, which it dissents
from Is il that part Of the resolutions unan-
imously rcafhrmed by several successive State
Conventions, which asserts the Jeffersonan
cardinal doctrine Of the Demo-
cratic creed of State Rights-that to each State
belongs the right to modify its own municipal
laws, and regulate its own internal affairs?
and that, "upon these rightsthe National Legis.
'dture CAN NEITHER LECIsIATE NOR EN-
CROAcHi
Does the Union see in this clause of the Ohio
resolutions an attack-that attack being based
On simple affirmation of the principles Of the
Democratic party--upon the Fugitive Slave
Law9
Is the Union dissatisfied with that clause Of
the resolution of the Ohio Democracy which
denounces slavery ~ an evil, and demands the
exercise Of the whole power OF the National
"to prevent ITS increase, 10 ntti-
gate, and finally eradicate the euHg"
Whichever OF the impregnable positions Of
the Ohio Democracy the Washington Union
means TO assa it would be more consistent
with manlincss and fair dealing for it to speak
out. But this it will not and dare not do.
The Union says:
"The assertion Of the appeal that the Wash
ington Union winks at, il it does not encour-
age. the Chase Democracy Of Ohio is unqualf-
sdIy false We have never held, nor minated,
that Mr. Chases course and position, since his
election TO the Senate, entitled him to be re-
sarded AZ u Democrat"
Not only is the position Of the Ohio Democ-
'acy grossly assailed, but distinguished Ohio
Democrats in Congress, who are battling man
lilly against tho corruptions Of the present
Federal Administration are denounced and
declared by the Union Us "no Democratic"
Mr. Chase occupies the same ground in Con-
sress us the great body Of the Ohio delegation
In the last Congress, but two Democrats from
Ohio were found to vote for the Fugitive s'ave
Law; and, though representing strong Demo,
cratic constituencies, one OF them was refused
denomination and the other failed OF re-
election. These two Democratic members, VINO
were repudisted by their Democratic constitu-
ents, were eulogzed by the Union, while others
Of the delegation, Mr.. Chase among the num-
Der were denounced. Any Democratic MEM
Der of Congress who plrsues such course as
o get the approval Of the Union is pretty sure
o be repudated by his constituents. Mr. Chase
therefore,. and the great body Of the Democrat
c members Of the House. who like him stand
m, a 6r,,Ix ON tho Ohio platfnrln defy-