The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-25
THE OHIO DEMOCRACY.

The report of the speech of DIR. TOwnshend,
in this weeks Era was copied from the Globe,
before it was finally revised by the author, and
is marred we regret to say, by several errors.
1t is a very explicit manly speech and its
words of warning should be listened to by the
Democratic Party. DR. Townshend means
what he says and knows whereof he affirms,
when he ayOws the settled convictions and pur-
poses Of u portion of the Democracy of Ohio.
His construction Of the Slavery resolution in
the Baltimore platform is rather novel, and has
disturbed the politicians. Free-Soilers, he
claims, are the real Non-Interyentionists it is
not they, but the Shareholders, who have inter-
fered with the question of Slavery the Slave
holders have intertered, 10y constraining the
Federal Government to take Slavery under its
protection beyond the States and the demand
of Free-Solers is, that such protection should
be withdrawn. Theirs is Intervention to secure
Non-Intervention.
Messrs. Odds and Edgerton were greatly
troubled lest the Ohio Democracy might be
held responsible for the manly ayowals of
their colleague. One volunteered his opinion,
that if the question of the Compromise were
submitted to the Democrats of Ohio, to-day.
they would almost unanimously vote in favor of
it; and this he did in the face OF the fact that
the last State Democratic Convention of Ohio
had not a word to say of the Compromise, but
reaifrmed with great unanimity its resolves
against Slavery The other, Mr.. Edgerton,
went so far as to read his colleague out of the
Party, as the following colloquy, which took
| place at the close of Dr. Townshend's speech,
will show:
Mr.. Edgerton, (interrupting) suppose the
gentleman is now also speaking for his district
alone, and not for the State. wish to under
stand distinctly whether my colleague speaks
now for the whole State or for his own district
Mr.. Iownshend At the moment of my
colleagues question, believe was expressing
simply my own opinion, without assuming to
speak for any one else and repeat it in sub
stance. If Democrats in the district represent
and those Democrats in other parts of the
| State whose views represent, do not vote for
candidate put on Compromise platform, |
give it as my opinion that he will not get the
vote of the State
MIR. Edgerton | beg leave to say, as one
of the representatives from the State of Ohio,
that | dissent from the opinion of the gentle
| man.
Mr., Townshend | certainly do not wish
my friend held responsible for any opinion |
may think proper to express though, perhaps,
we are after sll not so far asunder for think
he voted with me, the other day, to keep these
| Compromise measures from coming before the
House.
MIR. Edgerton. Most assuredly did,
"Mr. Townshend And | have no doubt,
Mr. Chairman that my colleague, in that vote,
faithfully reflected the will of his constituency.
all of which goes to prove the correctness of
my opinion that the Compramlse measures are
not popular in Ohio, not even in that gentle
mans district
"Mr. HEM | desire to ask the gentleman
from Ohio. whether there are two Democratic
parties in Ohio land whether the Convention
of which he has spoken was Convention OF
the regular Democratic party
MIR Townshend. The Convention that
adopted the resolutions have read was the
Convention of the regular Democratic party
of the State Il was the same Convention that
nominated Reuben Wood for Governor.
81 Mr.. Edgerton Will my colleague allow
me to interrupt him for moment beg t.
saw that there is but ono Democratic party in
Ohio and there never was but one Democratic
party in that State, and that party invariably
supports the nominee of the National Democra
tic Convention for the Presidency. And when
Won can show me man in Ohio a Democrat
who has voted against the regular nominee Of
that Convention, will show you a man who
is not regarded as true Democrat by the
party of the State He may be regarded u,
such in his district but he is not in good stand
ing with the Democratic party of that Stat,
at large.
"Mr. Townshend Mr.. Chairman, whether
nv colleague or myeclf is considered in Obi,
as the better Democrat is presume of lttl,
consequence to this House. For myself have
only to say, that shall faithfully represen
} nv own convictions of duty and the wishes O
nv constituents. IL this is incompatible will
standing in the party, ! must submit to tn,
loss of it, And suggest to my colleague tina
neither is he rallied upon to speak for the whole
; State of Ohio, but simply for his own district
r "Mr. German. Will the gentleman from
/. Ohio allow me to ask him question vii
:, he he kind enough to say for whom he voted
in lsls, for the Presidency!
, Mr.. Townshend. ] answer the gentleman
a with great pleasure. ! voted for Martin VA
Buren,, good Democrat and one who ha,
often been thoroughly endorsed by the Demo
!. cratic party On one point can, perhaps, So
y more than some of my Democratic friends
IS have never voted for Wings
o II have only few words more that ! ear