The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-22
ADDRESS OF THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC
ASSOCIATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

To the Independent Democracy Of The U. States
FELLOW DEMOCRATS: Principles, not men"
we have been taught to regard rs a funda-
mental article of the Democratic creed-an
adherence to which is required in all emergen-
cies. under nil circumstances, and under what
ever DISCUSSES an abandonment of principle
may assume.
1t was IN adherence to this course of action
which made the Democracy fixed fact in the
history of this nation, and crowned it with
glory and honor. Democracy opposes section
alsm, partial legislation, and injustice and
maintains the right Of all men to Liberty and
Equality before the laws.
The right of free discussion on all subjects
bearing upon the well-being and happiness of
the people. have especially been insisted upon
! by the fathers Of the Democratic faith as an
essential element in securing the happiness OF
the people
The Allen and Sedition Laws were Justly
| odlous to the Democrats of former day-the
one because it violated the rights of foreigners,
and the other because it prohibited the people
to speak or write anything derogatory of the
Government. The latter law was disregarded,
treated as nullty and an insult and was
speedily expunged from the Statute Book
Privilege and monopoly, in various shapes,
have since presented themselves for the sane
ton of the American people but they have
uniformly been driven from the field abashed
and disappointed The latest development of
this combination threatens to be the most for
midable of all the efforts made by the adyo-
Gates OF class legislation 1t comes to us clothed
in an angels garb-in the garb of Democracy
and would fain deceive the people to obey It's
mandates, and enthrone its candidates as the
true representatives of Democratic principles
The Convention which met at Baltimore ON the
I'd of June last presented as its Compromise
candidates FRANKLIN PIERCE of New Hamp-
shire, for President and WILLIAM r. KING of
Alabama, for Vice President
Without dwelling upon the character of the
gentlemen selected to fill the highest Offices in
the gift OF the Republic, let us consider the prn-
ciples promulgated by the Convention, adhe-
renee to which Is made the test of Democracy.
They resolved to abide by and adhere to a
faithful execution of the acts known as the
Compromise measures, settled by the last Con-
gress-ihe act for the recIdiming of fugitiueS
from Sercice or tabor included :" and further
That the Democratic party piH RESIST all at
fempts at rehewing IN Congress or out of it, the
agitation of the Slavery question, under what.
ever shape or color the attempt may be made
This pledge to stop agitation is as preposter
Gus as 1t is wicked 1t is vile attempt to gag
the mouths OF freemen, and to interdict the
freedom of speech Was it for this our fathers
passed through seven years war of blood and
carnage, to give force and efficacy to their
solemn declaration that "all men are created
equal that they are endowed by their Gre
ator with certain inalienable rights, among
which are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit o
| Happinessl" Shall We their sons, endorse by
our acquiescence SO wicked an imputaton upon
our manhood and ancestry Every holy feel
ing of Right, Justice, and Humanity condemn,
submission to such pledge
Agitation Without it. the ocean would be
but stagnant pool, spreading miasma and
disease over the world. Agitation All ma
ture around us is one extensive system of agi
tation, almost endlessly diversified; and the
bosoms of Democrats are no exception to the
rule. The PRONUNCIATION of such pledge has
stirred up such au agitation within the breasts
of independent Democrats as will teach the
advocates of class legislation that they have
gone a step too far
We have no controversy with our Southern
brethren We grant them all their constitu.
tional rights; but when they attempt to gag
the mouths of independent Democrats and
prohibit them from discussing any subject init
mately connected with the happiness of the
people and the perpetuity Of the Republic, can.
dor, no loss than justice, requires that we
should indicate our position. We cannot stand
upon any such platform.
| We love the principles Of Democracy, recog
nising as it does the brotherhood of the race
and the equality of all mankind as regards the
rights of all men before the law but when the
advocates of q gigantic monopoly combine to-
gether, and seek to make Liberty sectional and
Siapery national to deny to freemen the right
10 express their thoughts, and exact a pledge
OF the Democracy TO suppress agitation, We feel
compelled to repudiate the platform, and those
who support it.
MIR, Pierce, the nominee for President, in his
letter accepting the nomination, thus gives in
his adhesion to the platform adopted by the
Convention, viz:
81 accept the nomination upon the platform
adopted by the Convention not because it is
expected OF me ~ q candidate, but because the
principles it embraces command the approJa.