The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-30

should be laid the Wings hold that revenue
should be raised for such purposes and thai
duties should be laid so as to prevent fraud, anc
encourage American industry equally IN al
classes and all portions of the country. The
Democrats assert that the Constitution does mol
confer on the General Government the power
to commence and carry on general system oil
internal improvements the Wings do not as
sert that it does, but that Congress should I'M
prove rivers and harbors, whenever such I'M
provements are necessary for the common de-
fence, or for the protection and facility OF com
merce with foreign nations or among the States
such improvements being in every instance ma
tional and general in their character SO that
on not single question do these Parties take
issue with each other. And this is proved, moi
only by a comparison of their platforms but by
IN examination of the acts of their Representa-
tives in Congress. Here, no one dreams of the
Redistribution of a National Bank Projects are
sometimes submitted in regard to the Tariff,
but simply for a revision Of its details and GER
tain changes not implying a return to the old
policy of Protection-projects in support OF
which many Democratic votes are recorded.
Wings and Democrats unite in giving away
portions of the public lands for internal i'm
provements in making appropriations for clear
ing our great rivers and repairing our lake
harbors and in other expenditures, which are
anything but economical.
What, then, is their position On questions
substantially settled or settled so far that they
are not likely to be made subjects of mere
party controversy, there is no conflict between
them, thus showing that the causes which
originated them in their present forms have
ceased to exist On the other hand, they have
demonstrated their inability to meet and settle
the real Questions which now press upon the
American Public for a decision.
On the Slavery Question, as we have seen, they
united in betraying the interests and rights of
the non-slaveholders, by shameful Compro-
mise which they have the folly to suppose will
satisfy the People, and in relation to which
they have audaciously attempted to put down
Freedom of Discussion
In regard to Land Reform and the DISPOSE
ton of the Public Lands, they have been UNI
able to take any definite ground, and their
Representatives in Congress act in the most
contradictory way, now voting to secure free
and then supporting bounty-land bills, railroad
grants and monster land cessions to the States,
involving prohigate waste of this great pstri-
mony of the People.
On the subject of Intervention against Inter
vention, they shrink from u manly support of
the doctrines of our Declaration of Independ-
ence. of the well-established Princi Piles of In
ternational Law, both combining 10 hold back
this Republic from its proper position in the
family of nations. In response to the demand
that America shonld so far interpose in the
struggles between Despotism and Republican
ism as to throw her moral influence into the
scale of Freedom, they have turned their backs
upon their less fortunate brethren of other
lands, and resolved that the special mission of
JIllS COuHtTy 10 W tdhc CftIC VI ltcCl
Another important Question the country may
at any moment be called upon to deal with
that of Territorial Extension. Our Government
is adapted to extensive empire; the character
of our People and the nature of their civliza-
ton forbid that any fixed limits should be set
to our territory. The Wing Party, not recog-
nising this fact arrays itself against any fur
ther extension Of territory, even though free
from Slavery: the Democratic Party recognis-
ing it, is committed to the extension of terri
tory, even though cursed with Slavery. The
true pocy-Territoria Extension, where cir
cumstances demand, and justice authorizes,
provided it carry Freedom and Free Labor
with it's adopted by neither
Need we repeat that the two Parties were
not originated to settle these Questions! They
do not properly come within the scope of their
policy: their training has not been such as
would qualify them for dealing with them
wisely their very composition precludes we'll
principled and appropriate action respecting
them. They are composed of Slaveholding
and Non-Slaveholding sections, and history
shows that the supremacy in their councils
has almost uniformly been conceded to the
former But on the Questions of Slavery, Land
Reform, Intervention, and Territorial Exten-
sion the Slave terest governed by the law of
selt-preservat occupies position repugnant
to the fundamental principles of our Govern
ment, to the character and true interests of the
American People, and to the demands of
sound and comprehensive Policy. As Il cond-
ton precedent ttSvf proper disposition of those
Questions, one or the other of the two Parties
must redeem itself from the control of this
powerful Interest to neither, in its present
form and under its present inhuVMes, can the
American People look for wise action respect
ing them
In view of this fact is at any wonder that
a new political organization should become
necessary The secessions of l84S heralded
the Pittsburgh movement of 1852, and the
formation of the Independent Democracy was
u necessity of the times Read its Declaration
of Principles, and see whether it does not meet
their demands It asserts the true principles
of Government the true character and objects
of the Constitution of the United States In
relation to Trade and Finance, it does not seek
to disturb the settled policy of the country. On
the subjects of River and Harbor Improve
ment~, Cheap Postage, Ocean Postage, and
elections by the Popular voice. it occupies
ground sanctioned by the American People 1t
defines clearly the relations of Slavery, its pur-
poses in regard to it, and declares boldly that
it aims to divorce the Federal Government
from all connection with IT, 1t claims the Pub
lie Domain as the heritage of the People, to be