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

The report of the speech of Dr. 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 very explicit, manly speech, and its
words of warning should be listened to by the
Democratic Party. DIR. Townshend means
what he says, and knows whereof he affirms,
when he avOws the settled convictions and pur-
poses OF 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-Interventionists it is
not they, but the Shareholders, who have inter-
iered with the question Of Slavery the Slave
holders have interfered by constraining the
Federal Government to take Slavery under its
protection beyond the States and the demand
of Free-Soilers is that such protection should
be withdrawn. Theirs is Intervention to secure
Non-Intervention.
Messr. Odds and Edgerton were greatly
troubled lest the Ohio Democracy might be
held responsible for the manly avowals 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 word to say of the Compromise, but
reaffrmed with great unanimity it's resolves
against Slavery The other, Mr.. Edgerton,
went so fer as to read his colleague out of the
Party, as the following colloquy, which took
| place at the close of DIR. Townshend's speech
will show:
"Mr. Edgerton, Gnterrupting) 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 Tor the whole State or for his own district
MIR. Townshend 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. Ii Democrats in the district represent
and those Democrats in other parts of the
State whose views represent, do not vote for
q candidate put on Compromise platform,
| give it rs 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 all not 50 far asunder, for think
he voted with me, the other day to keep these
| Compromise measures from coming before the
House.
Mr.. Edgerton. Most assuredly did
! MIR. 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 Compramise measures are
not popular in Ohio, not even in that gentle
mans district
MIR. Hem. desire to ask the gentleman
from Ohio whether there are two Democratic
parties in Ohio and whether the Convention
of which he has spoken was a Convention Of
the regular Democratic party
Mr.. Townshend The Convention that
adopted the resolutions have read was the
Convention Of the regular Democratic party
of the State Ii was the same Convention that
nominated Reuben Wood for Governor.
Mr. Edgerton. Will my colleague allow
me to interrupt him for moment | beg to
say that there is but one 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
you can show me man in Ohio u Democrat,
who has voted against the regular nominee of
that Convention | will show you man who
is not regarded as a true Democrat by the
party of the State He may be regarded AS
such in his district but he is not in good stand
ing with the Democratic party Of that State
at large
"Mr Townshend. Mr. Chairman. whether
my colleague or myeelf is considered in Ohio
as the better Democrat is presume of little
consequence to this House. For myself have
only to say that | shall faithfully represent
my own convictions of duty and the wishes of
my constituents. If this is incompatible with
n standing in the party, must submit to the
loss of it. And suggest to my colleague that
neither is he rallied upon to speak for the whole
State of Ohio, but simply for his own district
"Mr. German viii the gentleman from
Ohio allow me to ask him IA question Will
he he kind enough to say for whom he voted,
in 1913, for the Presidency
=" Mr., Townshend ! answer the gentleman
} with great pleasure. voted for Martin Van
Buren,, good Democrat and one who had
often been thoroughly endorsed by the Demo-
cratic party, On one point can, perhaps, say
more than some Of my Democratic friends
have never voted for Wings
} IL have only few words more that care