The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-20

stated tho principles which must form the basis Q
the political organization in which they we're abou
pies in resolutions and present them to the Conven
ton upon its opening the next day, as the views
the meeting. Three resolutions were acoordingl,
drawn up by him and presented to the Convention
insert them, that it may be distinctly seen wha
was the line of action in respect to slavery recon-
mended by the New York democracy to the Buffalo
Convention -
Resolved That it is the duty of the federal govern
ment to relieve itself Of all responsibility for the
sion or continuance of slavery wherever that
ment possesses constitutional authority and respon
Resolved, That the States within which slavery exists
are alone responsible for the continuance existence
slavery within such States aud the federal
has neither responsibility nor constitutional authority
abolish or regulate slavery within the States
Resolved The true and, in the Judgment of his Con-
venton the only safe of preventing the extension
OF slavery into the territories free prohibit its
existence in all such territories by act Congress
These resolutions, unanimously approved by the
convention, were referred to the Committee on
Resolutions, OF which you were chairman. have
already spoken of the harmony whi Cd characterized
the abors of that commttee-the unanimity with
which they agreed upon the platform, and the unan-
nous enthusiasm with which the convention. with
one voice, ratified it. You have not forgotten it
you will never forget it,
That platform, thoroughly democratic in its prin-
ciples and measures, and cordially accepted by the
New York democracy, made it easy for the Conven-
ton to adopt the Utica nominations for the Presi-
dency as their own, although large number of its
members were already committed to the support of
a New Hampshire democrat, ever faithful to free
dom, and then endeared to them the more by the
characteristic magnanimity with which he had
placed the nomination which had been conferred on
him at the disposal of the convention.
Martin Van Buren,, therefore, received the nomi-
nation for the Presidency, while Charles Francis
Adams, grandson Of the foremost and ablest
champion of the Declaration Of Independence aad
son OF the most distinguished and indefatigable
n fanHnr M fhn rOhk &c Al.
the people, received the nomination for the Vice
Presidency. The first Of these distinguished citi-
zens, himself an unwavering democrat had been
elevated to the highest political distinctions both
state and national by the democratic party, while
the second, though hitherto in party connection
a whig was whig Of the revolutionary stamp-of
the school of Franklin and Jefferson-not Of that
modern school, marked by devotion to the interests
ofproperty rather than to the rights ofman.
1t is enough to say of these nominations and Of
the canvass which ensued that by this action of the
Independent democracy, the prohibition of slavery
in Oregon was secured and the exclusion Of slavery
from the other territories was made the most pro-
minent theme of political discussion, and both the
other parties in the free States were compelled to
declare themselves in favor of it, while the whole
relations of the federal government to slavery were
subjected to a thorough investigation, convincing
m1itltudes that the best interests of the people,
well as the correct Interpretation Of the constitution
demand the total divorce of the federal
from slavery. At the close of the canvass, it was
found that three hundred thousand electors,
nearly one ninth Of all the voters in the United
States, had enrolled themselves on the side Of
freedom. What, then, was to be done! No one
seemed to think the contest over, and the time for
arrived. On the contrary, the organi-
eaton was everywhere maintained; and overtures
the democracy. which, during the recent canvass.
had vainly expected success from concessions to
slavery. In Wisconsin and Vermont the two d.
visions OF the democracy united upon thoroughly
democratic platforms, unsullied by COMPROMISE
with wrong. In Ohio and in Massachusetts partial
union and cooperation took place. In New York
the negotiations for union were protracted-con-
ventions Of both divisions met at Rome, but sepa-
rated without results. AT length, however,
State ticket was arranged, each division nomna-
ting hall the candidates, independently Of the
other, and both divisions agreeing to sup
port the whole ticket. Many of the free soil
democrats manifested ma strong repugnance. to
maintain their own distinct organization until the
other division of the democracy should be willing
to accept their principles Of freedom the political
faith Of the united democracy. They expressed
strong apprehensions that union upon any other
basis would result in the compromise, and final
Abandonment of their principles. To remove these
upprehensions, and reconcile to the union body Of
earnest men, whose adhesion was iud spensablc to
the of the united ticket strong resolutions
reiterating the principles of the Buffalo platform.
were adopted by the free soil division in convention
at Utica, and speeches were made by John Van
Buren,, Henry j. Stanton, and Others, giving the
strongest assurances that the proposed union would
ensure the recognition Of their principles by the
tire democracy of New York.
An extract from speech Of Mr.. Van Buren,, up
on the introduction OF the resolutions, will show the
of these assurances -
will state Che remarked). fairly freely and fully what
we expect We expect to make the democratic party OF
this State the great tavery party of this State and
through il. TO make the democratic party of the United
States the great anti slavery party the United States
Sc who do not contemplate this result will do well to
get ont of the for there doubt that when
principles get fairly before the people that they
hear them. and know what they are-and have made
arrangements for that now-tha the whole people will
with And Southern friends having bad things
all their way for the last twenty five thirty years
must make up their minds to let us have way
for awhile we being fair men, and reasonable in de-
mands.
These assurances prevailed, and the united ticket
was agreed to.
Immediately after this, both divisions q the party
met in mass convention, at Syracuse At this con-
vention resolution on slavery vas adopted, affirm
ing the constitutional power of Congress over slave
ry in the District of Columbia and the territories,
but not recommending the exercise of the power IN
respect to the District. and only recommending It's
exercise in regard to the territories on OF
attempts" to introduce slavery into them. The
resolution further declared, that simple agreement
in support OF the ticket and not concurrence. even
in the views was to be made the basis OF the union
This was certainly serious retrogression from the
position taken at Buffalo and, only two days before,
at Utica and yet the leaders Of the radical demo-
oracy sti assured the friends of freedom tina. all
was safe, and that the entire democracy of New
York would advance to the impartial application Of
democratic principles to all questions, slavery in
cluded, andarray its unbroken strength against the
encroacbments of slavery and the domination Of the
slave powers and many earnest opponents of slave.
ry, relying on these assurances gave to the united
ticket. not hestating and reluctant, but cordial
and vigorous support
What ground they had for such reliance will ap-
pear from declarations made at the Syracuse mass
and on other occasions. about the same
time, by gentlemen who possessed their undivided
confidence.
Amorg these gentlemen, Preston King stood very
p.ominept. His action in Congress, his course at
Buffalo. his high rpute for sincerity and integrity,
had knit TO him the affections of the free soil de-
mocracy. He was formally called upon to address
the convention, and among other things. said:
THE great question before the American people
now is. shall the interests of slavery. political
power, rredominate over tho principles of freedom
n this couary. There is no doubt That this is the
prominent question before the country.
There is no doubt that the reason for not expressing
such sentiments on this subject entertained,