The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-10-20

erai Government | do not think that any
wrong can be sanctioned by nge or legislation,
or that the dead past has ony right to control
the living present. look forward 10 rational
progress and good time coming, and protest
agains, the sleepy conservatism that, for fear oil
innovation, would prevent all reform.
And the Democratic party recognize as the
best agency through which just ideas Of civil
government can be established. Its history
proves it to possess the elements and spirit oi
progress, to be the party Of the present and fu-
ture, rather than the party of the past. Hence
have C operated with this party, and worked
with and for il, wi h whatever zeal or ability |
could command. Blu, The Democf fatic party is
not my owner, or q body whose me asures am
bound in oil things to support right or wrong
Il is but means or agency which ! choose to
employ, when, in my judgment, can, by so
doing, best subserve the great itsrest' OF hu-
manty and justice.
The Denocra,ic Convention at Baltimore,
composed, as il was, Of the chosen delegates from
the Democracy OF the whole country, was
doubtless duly authorized to select some person
to be the slandard-bearer in the approaching
campaign; and, by usage. The Convent ion was
authorized to proclaim 10 the world what are
the common doctrines Of the party. do moi
understand it 10 be the right, much less the duty,
Of that Convention TO pubisH, as the sentiment
OF the Democratic party, doctrines which are
only ent ,r,ained by portion of the party
Tha, Convention endorsed the Compromises
OF the last Congress- series of measures con-
cocted by Clay, sustained by Webster, and forced
through By the power and influence OF Fillmore
administration. | protest against any stealing
Of Whig thunder That party has right to
whatever of glory or OF shame attnches 10 these
measures. d. not want 10 steal Wing thunder
for the construction Of our platform.
Among these Compromise acts is a provision
that Utah and New Mexico may come iato the
Union as St1tas, with or without slavery, as they
NAV choose. Now, let it be distinctly under
stood, that the Democrats of Ohio do not consent
TO that arrangement. They consider slavery to
be an evil of such magnitude that they will feel
it their duty at all times to all constitutional
power to prevent its increase.
The Convention also endorsed the constitu.
tionaiity OF the fugitive slave 5il', in opposition
10 the views Of large portion Of the Demo.
cratic party, who consider i, 10 be unconstu
tinnal, as well as the essence and embodiment
Of Federalism. 1t i. strange that such course
should have been pursued, while no one has ye
satisfactorily shown its consiiIu'onalty, or ut
tempted TO answer The argument of lhe gentle
man from Massachusetts, (Mr. Rantou'.) Ane
tions adopted at Bal,imore-sthat the Federa
Government is one OF limited powers, derived
solely from the Constitution. and the grants o
power made therein ought 10 be strictly con
sirued by all the departments and agents of thu
Government, and that IL is iaerpedient and dan
gerous to exercise doubtful constitutional pou
ers." And the Convention further pledges tn
party to abide by law thai abolshes jury tria
allows &c parte evidence, creates swarms c
petty officers 10 enforce it, gives double cam
pensation TO find every claim set up in favor G
the master, and pays the expenses OF returnin
fugitives from the public Treasury.
The Convention also undertakes TO make th
endorsement of these measures test Of part,
fidelity. On all the old party issues, any vari
alton Of opinion may be tolerated. The Penn
sylyanians who come here asking for a pro
tective tariff on iron, and those of Us from Obi
who are for free trade, and direct, ins ead OF il
direct taxation, are, so far as this is concerned
good Democrats. Our Western friends, VIII
come here asking alternate sections for canals
railroads, plank roads. and almost every ohe
imaginable purpose, and Frank Pierce, VIII
voted against appropriations for our Lake ha
bors are equally good Democrats. One thin
only is needful. All must pronounce the sbi
boleth OF slavery just us Shareholders require
10 be pronounced; then they can pass, and n
without. This is the sine qua non; the Palho
nomonic symptom of the Convenion's Demo-
racy.
The Convention also agreed to suppress a
agitation of this question. Think oil it-tt
Democratic party going 10 suppress freedom
speech and TO permit 10 remain in eternal qui
the greatest political and social wrong that eve
existed in this or any other country.
And the candidates nominated by the Coz
vsntion were evidently selected. not so m,c
for great ability or eminent services in the eau.
of Democracy as heretofore understood. b
mainly and chiefly because they are unexcep
ionably sound on this slavery question. In ju
SO far as these candidates sland on this Cor
promise platform. and are rstood to be
embodiment and representatives., they fail 10 r
present what | understand to be ua i)l.al al
Democratic ground. ln that position cam
give them my support.
protest against all these in'erpoaons il
she Democratic creed, and ag1ins, any such i
sierpreiation Of Democracy as mikes it lhe al
al slavery and oppression. Demncr ICY a
slavery are directly nnago1is'ic Denocra'
il opposed TO caste -slnvery creates Demo