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

statou ING principles Wnicn must form tho basis o
the political organization in which they we're abou
to unite. He was requested to embody those princi
pies in resolutions and present them to the Conven
ton upon its opening the next day, as the views
the meeting. Three resolutions were accordingly
insert them, that it may be distinctly seen wha
the line Of action in respect to slavery recon-
mended by the New York democracy to the Buffalo
Convention =
Resolved That IL Is the duty of the federal govern
ment to relieve itself of all responsibility for the extern
sion OF continuance of slavery wherever that
ment possesses constitutional authority and is respon
Resolved, That the States within which slavery exists
alone responsible for the continuance existence Of
slavery within such States and 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 means of preventing the extension
OF slavery into the territories Free to prohibit its
existence In all such territories by act of 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 which characters
the labors of that commttee-the unanimity with
which they agreed upon the platform, and tho 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
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
champion of the Declaration Of Independence, aud
son of the most distinguished and indefatigable
defender OF the right Of petition and the liberties Of
The people, received the nomination for the Vice
Presidency. The first of these distinguished cit-
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
wing, was whig Of the revolutionary stamp-of
modern school, marked by devotion to the interests
ofproperty rather than to the rights Of man.
1t is enough to say of these nominations, and of
the canvass which ensued that by this action of the
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
mutitudes that the best interests of the people, as
well as the correct Interpretation of the constitution
demand the total divorce of the federal government
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
disbanding arrived. On the contrary, the organi-
cation was everywhere maintained; and oyertures
for union and concert came from that division Of
the democracy, which, during the recent canvass
had valnly expected success from concessions to
slavery. In Wisconsin and Vermont the two di-
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 protra .ted-con-
yentlons OF both divisions met at Rome, but sepa-
rated without results. AT length, however,
State ticket was arranged, each division nomina-
ting ha.i the candidates. Independently Of the
port the whole ticket Many of the free soil
democrats manifested a strong repugnance to
this arrangement. They earnestly desired 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
uprrehensions and reconcile to the union body Of
earnest men, whose adhesion was ind speusable to
the success 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 b. Stanton, and others, giving the
strongest assurances that the proposed union would
ensure the recognition Of their principles by the en-
tire democracy of New York.
An extract from a speech Of Mr. Van Buren,, up
on the introduction of the resolutions will show the
character 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 anlsvery party of this State and
through it, TO make the democratic party of the United
States the great anti slavery party the United States
Thee who do not contemplate this result will do well
get ont OF the way for there is no doubt that when our
principles get fairly before the people so that they
hear them and know what they and we have made
arrangements for that nowthat the whole people will
go with us. And our Southern friends having bad things
all their way for the last twenty five thirty years
must make up their minds to let us have our own way
for awhile we being fair men, and reasonable in our de-
mands.
was agreed to.
Immediately after this, both divisions q the party
met in mass convention, at Syracuse. At this con-
venton resolution on slavery was adopted, affirm
ing the constitutional 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 occasions OF
attempts" to introduce slavery into them The
resolution further declared, that simple agreement
in support the ticket and not concurrence, even
in these 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 still 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 i'm
cuded, and.array its unbroken strength against the
encroacbmens of slavery, and the domination Of the
slave power; and many earnest opponents of slave
~, relying on these assurances, gave to the united
ticket, not hesitating and reluctant, but cordial
and vigorous support.
What ground they had for such reliance will APP
pear from declarations made at the Syracuse mass
convention, ard 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 10 him the affections Of the free soil de-
nocracy. He was formally called upon to address
the convention, 6rd among other things. sad:-
THE great question before the American people
is. shall the interests of slavery, as political
power, Iredominaie over tho principles of freedom
this country. There is no doubt that this is the
prominent question before the country.
There is doubt that the for not expressing
such sentiments this subject entertained,