The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-26
AN ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF The STATE
OF PENNSYLVANIA

OF PENNSYLVANIA
At the late Free Democratic State Conyen
ton held in Pittsburgh, the appointment of a
Committee was deemed advisable, for the pur-
pose of preparing an address to the people of
this Commonwealth. explanative of the pur-
poses of the organization, and more especially
to incite to renewed energy and vigilance
those who have in times gone by struggled
for the right against the impositions of wrong
and who, without doubt will he heard in cla-
rion tones protesting against the tyrannical
exactions of the great Slave Compromise par
ties of the nation. That Committee would sub
NIT the following:
1t is apparent to every intelligent mind, that
an effort is being made by the pro-slavery par
ties of the day to prostitute the free and mighty
North to the support and nourishment of the
institution of Slavery. This is indisputable
controversy on this point cannot be MAN.
tanned. The Fugitive Slave Law, which is d.
rectly antagonistical to the law of God, and
therefore utterly inconsistent with our obliga-
tons to our Creator, has received the sanction
of both the Slave parties in Convention as
sembled; and not only do they endorse it, but
declare that they will dscountenance or resist
all attempts ut agitation, having for the object
its repeal or amendment "either in or out of
Congress- or wherever. whenever or how
ever made" virtually applying the gag to
each mans enthusiastically denying the right
of petition. The despotc power here exercised
will be felt more sensiblv, when we reflect that
this most foul and abOmnable enactment de-
MES to fugitive from the thraldom of slavery,
a man in search of his Cod given rights, in the
event of his re-capture that right which we
grant to the humblest crimnal--the right of
trial by jury; thus, while these advocates OF
oppression and tyrannical rule insist on the
same recognition of their slave-property as
that of their cattle, household goods, &C. they
deny to the former that which is guaranteed
20 the trespasser upon the latter; and, In the
lace OF this, tell US we shall not agitate the
subject! But still more will we deprecate it,
when we will reflect that it is a direct viola
ton OF that petted doctrine of the South--the
sovereignty of the States
But many have resolved to reject the plat
forms OF principles which have been promul-
gated by the. two old parties. and still aid bv
their votes the election of the candidates who
| are pledged to the carrying out of said princ
Piles particularly the suppression of all agita-
ton This must be to every sensible or intel.
igent persons mind supremacy ridiculous
Fellow citizens think of this for one moment
rejecting the platform, but voting for the can
didate who approves of the position assumed
therein, and who will most assuredly carry
them out if elected The Free Democracy of
the nation, in order to meet and stay the ad-
yancing floods of worse than Austrian despot-
ism, have met in Convention, and most enthu-
sastically resolved to form party which is to
aid neither the Wing nor Democratic wing OF
the great Slave Compromise party of tho ma
ton, but 10 defeat them both and that repudi-
ating and renOuncing both as hopelessly cor
rupt and utterly unworthy of confidence, the
purpose of the Free Democracy is to take pos
session of the Federal Government and admin
lister it for the better protection of the rights
and interest of the whole people also that
slavery is sin against God, and crime
against man which no law nor usage can make
right and that Christianity Humanity, and
Patriotism alike demand its abolition again,
. that the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is repug-
nant to the Constitution, to the principles OF
the common law to the spirit OF Christianity,
and to the sentiments of the civilized world
and that we therefore deny its binding force
upon the American people, and demand us
immediate and total repeal" further, "thst
the public lands of the United States belongU
the people, and should not be sold to indivldu-
ais nor granted to corporations but should NC
held as sacred trust for the benefit OF the peo-
Pile, and should be granted in limited quantl-
ties free of cost to landless settlers. Inc
foregoing principles need no comment but We
would ask the enlightened people of Pennsyi-
vania, whether they are not pure Democrauo
doctrine! Being So will it not meet with your
cordial support at the ballot-boxe We behe'e
it will
As the standard bearers Of our principles we
present to YOU the name Of the Hon JOHN r.
Hale. of New Hampshire, for the Presidency,
and that of GEORGE w. JULIAN, OF Indiana, ior
the Vice Presidency of the United Statesmen
of sterling integrity, and whose past actions nave
been in perfect harmony with their present pro
fessions. In order that the strength OF the parry
may be fully brought into action aga'"es 'Is
opposing forces in November next we Wou,u
recommend to the friends OF the Gauss 'n,oue"-
out the State, the formation OF free peno-
cratic county associations ana Tue "on''na-
ton of your own county tckes' Or 60 fAA &c.
LAR ON THIS POINT. 'o'e WI ~ n'A'o I'm
promise Whiglr Demoorauc hom,.ee ''"%
the Presidency down 20 c1u'y a"u'V -
90 n,r Int and uSurincipled parties-have nothing
~ io VIII their tickets or nominations in any
shsns hut spurning their approaches ms IN
s,,It,ng h YOUR understanding give your con-
ssant airport to the only truly Democratic or
ganiration in the country-giving these trltsrs
9Th the liberties Of the people to understand,
nv 40 doing, that they can expect no aid from
YOU and no surrender of your ever-giorlous
principles. u
w. +. CLARK, Mercer,
JOIN s. MANN Coudersport
N. B. CRAIG, Pittsburgh,
Cropcr + CoRpos, Philadelphia