The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-26
From the Ohio Statesman, february IL.
Ohio Anti Slavery Convention.

| Official Proceedings 81 me FreesoH Convention
Free Democratic STATE Convention
Agreeable to call of tie State Free Demo
cratic Central Committee, convention OF the
friends of freedom in the State of Ohio, met in
convention at the old Council Chamber, in the
city of Columbus, on the lth day of February
1852, at ] I o'clock, A. NJ, and organized by ap-
pointing Il. d. Parish, Of Erie county, president,
and j. L. Asper, OF Geauga, secretary
The following letters were read to the con-
vention, and ordered published, with the pro.
ceedings Of the convention:
LETTER FROM SAMUEL LEWIS.
CIEcINNATI, February 8, 1852.
GENTLEMEN 81 should be glad indeed to at
tend at our State convention, on the 18th inst,
but am not able to get there, having suffered
severely for some days, and only in part recov-
cred.
1t is probable the convention will be small,
considering the magnitude of the subject before
you; but you should not be prevented from
transacting the business, as it is not probable
there will be another State convention before
the national nominating convention. One of
your duties, it seems to me, will be to appoint
Your delegates at large for the national conven-
ton, which will be held sometime in June at
pittsburg. The call will be prepared and sent
out in a short time You should endeavor to
induce the several districts to be prompt in their
appointments of delegates to the national con-
yention. That convention must be held, nomi-
nations made, and ardently sustained, or we must
abandon all hope Of influencing the Legislation Of
the country in favor Of freedom.
1t is now certain that neither the Wing or
Democratic party will nominate any man that
can be supported by the friends Of freedom
We must have our own nominee, and must not
incumber ourselves with too many questions that
do not bear directly in favor Of our cardinal doc
trnes and measures. We must not be intiu-
enced by those persons who, protesting to be
lovers OF freedom, continue to support political
parties that eschew liberty and sustain slavery.
1t is worse than idle to confide in any man who
helps to put into power parties pledged by prac-
tice, or otherwise, to continue a national support
Of despotism; for when such a party is in power,
the voice of individual advocates for freedom,
i'll or out of office, is powerless for good, though
the action OF such must have been potent for
mischief
Let me entreat you to secure n support for
several travelling agen.s or speakers to traverse
the State diligently, and get up organizations in
each county. Our Buffalo movement, and the
singular course of those who brought that
measure about, has discouraged many of our
old, tried friends ofliberty. We have a host in
Licking, Muskingum, Washington, and many
other counties, who would gladly rally again, if
they could confde in any movement resolved
upon. We need the right men to visit all these
counties, not only county sites, but villages, on
the plan sketched in my letter TO the True Dem
ocrat. will stand to my offer of S25 to each
of four agents toward making up a fair COM
pensation, though some months have passed
when this work ought to have been progressing
Pardon these suggestions claim no right
to influence your deliberations, and hope you
will be guided by divine wisdom to the course
that will produce the best results
May the good God prosper the cause of lib
erty and justice, is the prayer Of your friend,
SAMUEL LEWIS