Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-08-18

their candidate for the Presidency, and in
seribed upon their banner Free soil. fee
speech, free laber. and free men," aud sol
eaaly pledged themselves TO Eight on, and
fgiit ever. until triumphant victory should
reward their exeriioos
The grand object Of that sonveution was
to make the Democratic party ofthe State o.
New York. the great anti slavery party Of
the State. and through it to make the Demo
cratic party Of the United States the great
anti slavery party Of the United States. -
John Van Buren,. who uttered this sentiment
is the acknowledged exponent of the Free
soil Democracy ofthe North Heis regarded
as the Cour de Lion Of that faction. 1t is
to be presumed, therefore, that be understood
the means by which it was sought to make
the Democratic party the great "anti slavery
party Of the country. In bis Clsaveland
speech be says. "AlI eur danger lies in the
Compromise. Then see to it, that those who
represent you are faithful to the cause offree-
dom; see to it that they make no Compro-
mise with slavery, and to this end he de-
clares that I'VE must have no more. slave
States; no more slave 'territory'S Nov
the question comes up. has this man or any
Of those VINO acted with him in As changed
any opiuion held at that tlme2 Not one
They are all, or nearly all OF them standing.
it is true, upon the Democratic platform and
are enthusiastic in their support Of Pierce and
King hut no opinion has been changed +;
nothing taken back.
Does their course involve any Inconsistent
cies Net with their understanding of the
views embodied il that platform. That plat
form is essentially Democratic. aud all Free
soil Democrats who are not embarrassed bv
that portion of it which relates to slavery. can
consistently stand upon it. Robert Rantoul,
Cleaveland, Townshend, the Albany Atlas
and the New York Euening Post, have as
serted again and again, that the slavery fea-
tare of the platform has been abrogated by
the introduction of other Resolutions iucoh-
sstant with it. and which are acknowledged
as guides in tue Interpretation of the Consti
tuition. If this mighty host Of Free -sdfqers
who are now supporting the Democratic nom
inees. do not all occupy the ground taken by
the men and papers referred to, pray how can
their course be explained? AS before stated.
they have not abandoned single opinion
heretofore entertained The fair interpreta-
tion then, of this Free soil demonstration for
Pierce and King is, that the Free Democra
ey' expect to make, by a union with "thc
Other wing Of the Democracy the whole
Democratic party the anti slavery party Of
the United States
Martin Van Buren,, who was the candidate
of the Buffalo Convention for the Presidency,
in his letter Of acceptance declared his appro-
baton ''of the platform which the Convention
adopted and gave solemn pledge that he
would be "aulong the last to abandon it =
Mr.. Van Buren, has never, by word or deed,
retracted this pledge, but still maintains that
sit is the duty OF the Federal Government to
relieve itself OF all responsibility for the ex
tension or continuance of slavery" and that
the "only safe means of preventing its extern
sion into the territories now free, is to pro-
hibit its extention into all such territories by
an act of Congress"
Yet this same Martin Van Buren, is the
ardent friend and supporter of Frank Pierce
and William r King.
The Free-soil party number about three
hundred thousand votes. The Democratic
party proper were aware that without these
votes, or large proportion 81 them, it was
in vain to expect success in the coming cleo
ton Whether the Baltimore platform was
framed with the view of catching this large
vote il boots nothing to enquire, Certain il
is that these arrans Free sellers, many of
them at least, are standing side by side in
fellowship aud union with Soule. OF Louisiapa
Orr, of South Carolina, ard other Southern
hotspurs on the same platform. Rumor has
it that, long before the meeting Of the Balt
more Convention, oyertures had been made to
Mr.. Van Buren, and others entertaining sim
liar views and opinions, by which be was m
duced to pledge his adhesion in advance to
the nominees of that Convention.
Whether a platform was suggested which
was made acceptable to them, or whether it
was proposed that. in the event Of the success
of lhe Demacratie ticket. they were not to be
presented. but were to share largely in the
patronage aud offices of the Government we
are not autboritatisely advised.
1t is enough for us to know that General
Pierce's Free soil supporters are standing
upon the Democratic platform. and denoun-
cling the Southern construction of it 10 regard
TO slavery. They 90 for Pierce King and