The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-08
country great and glorious among the nations,
country to which the friends of freedom Will
turn with hope and admiration
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
From Tie Kaiida (O) Tentue-DemOcrGfic.

countenance Ohio Democracy, which the Wing
press denominates "Chase Democracy" the
Washington Union of the 25th ult. Ostracises
Senator Chase and refuses to admit so much
of the Ohio Democratic Platform as the Union
chooses to consider not sufficiently subservient
to the peculiar institution, which asplres to no
divided empire over the minds and positions of
the public men as well as the masses of our
Republic. Elsewhere we have copied the arti-
Gle. that our readers may estimate how high
the resolves of State Convention of the DEM
ocratic party in Ohio, in which there were rep
resented two millions of American citizens, are
held when they dare to speak of Slavery as it
! is. 1t has been resolved and re-resOlved-
/ That the Democracy of Ohio do now, ms
they always have done, look upon Slavery as
/ an evil and unfavorable to the full development
of the spirit and practical benefits of free instu
tons; and that entertaining these sentiments,
they will at all times feel it to be their duty to
use all power given by the terms of the national
compact, to prevent the increase, to mitigate,
and finally eradicate the evil We believe this
to be position so correct as not to need the
admission of its propriety from Washington or
elsewhere. And we think that the intimation
! that either our resolutions or our Senator needs
endorsement other than from the Ohio Democ-
racy, is an arrogant assumption, and an exhi-
bt.on OF OiiciOus interference uncalled for and
offensive. The Democracy of Ohio have acquies-
! ced in the correctness of the profession of prn-
cples made by Senator Chase, have availed
themselves of his able and Efficient influence in
the struggle for the success of Progressive De-
mocracy; and so long as he receives their sup
port, he may well despise dlsapprobation or CEN
sure, from whatever quarter it may come A
10, 4 -
find at our National capital the press the organ
of the most enlightened freedom Nevertheless,
the reality is the very reverse With the excep-
ton OF one or two eminent persons no states
man of liberal views can find favorable COM
mendaton or notice. The contest among the
organs is, which party can do most to subserve,
extend and exalt slavery, and which party ex-
hibits the least sympathy with the principles
OF enfghtened freedom 1t is very unfortunate
for the influence that this Republic excrts on
the interests and progress of mankind, that
this should be SO but so it is
We are also informed that the Unions sup
port of Wood apparently it was concession
to be thankful for) was given on account of
his anticipated abandonment of his previously
protested views on the measures of compromise
as they are called. And Governor Wood is held
up as committing the party in Ohio to appro-
val of the compromise measures This is a
mistake. 1t is in the power of no living man
TO commit the Democracy of Ohio to an appro-
val Of the compromise measures. To give such
an expression on their behalf, would be the en,a-
citation of lie, which might remain unpun-
ished for time, but would ultimately give way
to truth, or plungeehe Democratic party of our
State into a minority more hopeless than that
from which the liberal principles and wise
measures OF the last few years have redeemed'it.
Ii is true that men of iron resolution, uni
form purpose, giant energy, and intellect that
flashes on the minds of men like the clear light
ming do sometimes commit parties. But they
do 1t by speaking out some great truth which
every mans secret soul answers to and ac-
knowledges. They do it by taking hold of
great wrong. as Andrew Jackson did the T. s.
Bank, and they shake it to pieces. But parties
are never committed, the conscience of the peO-
pie is never brought to back up wrong by
the apostacy any public man to his protested
principles, or by the mere change Of opinion or
action any man placed high in place Gov
Woods action in relation to the Northwestern
Lands and to the law taxing the banks, his
volunteer concession that the new Constitution
Is not a Democratic result, and his abandon
ment OF the doctrines Of his first Inaugural, have
disappointed thousands who supported him, but
in these acts he is not backed up by a tremen-
dous Democratic majorityin Ohio and has not
committed the party to approval of any one
Of his acts, and has had to seek in Washington
for that approval which has been most sparingly
dOlcd out or denied at home We regret to
say this, but the Governors course has develop.
ed on his part Punic faith to the people which
no personal qualities can or ought to atone for
and to which acquiescence would be partci-
patton in wrong
There is but one policy upon which the Dem
ocratic party can ever stand united, both North
and South, and it is the doctrine of State and
individual independence upon the one vexed
question of Slavery. Let it be passed over in
silence, in the declarations of principles by the
Democratic party in its national conventions.
The Southern Democracy have very efectualy
signifed that they will support as in ls4S, that
party. without regard to principles, which is
most favorable to the maintenance and extern
sion of Slavery and as declarations ON Sa-
very form no necessary part Of Democratic
principles, and can only repel thousands from
the Democratic standard, both North and South
and furnish food and aliment for that agitation
which is 20 much deprecated, sound policy
would, it seems to U.S. dictate their abandon
ment
We do not desire to interfere with the admi.
ration of Slavery which is expressed in partic-
ular States having an interest in the institution
We do not WISH and we will not willingly sub
NIT to the dictation Of their organs, as to what
we shall think, or how we shall express our
selves, on that subject. The resolutions of Ohio
Democrats do not need to travel to Washington
for approval, and it would be better. for the
a q. IL 4 A
oihcious dictation that however graciousy it
may be intended. is uncalled for and unaccept-
able
From the Windham County (U) Democrat.
AN INDEPENDENT PRESS AND THE PREsI.
DENCY
We can never boast ourselves, as a people. of
that great blessing an independent press, un-
al It's conductors abide by, as well as express
their independent convictions of justice and
expedency in matters of popular interest.
When will the workers of iniquity turn from
their Vaccinations, if those who see and de
plore their wicked works are ready to aid in
their execution! When shall we have lust
rulers, who will fear God and execute right
eousness, il, as people or party, we give our
suifragcs to men who defy the one and trample
upon the other, When shall we have Just
laws, that regard humanity as more than pelf
and practical benevolencc as the ultmatum of
social compacts, if we choose for our legislators
men who are either 50 morally blind that they
cannot discern right from wrong or whose
sympathes are so scared that they will sacri-
flee their "neghbors by the million to CRAFTY
their petty and personal ambition of power and
! fame
Oh, If we could forget that these men are
our brethren, children with us and with the
enslaved millions in our land. of a common
tather-w'th what unmixed contempt would
II INSPIRE us to see, rs We do, certain of our edi.