Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-06-12
THE DEMOCRACY AND THE DECLA-
RATION OF INDEPENDENCE,

RATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
The assembled wisdom of the Democracy at
the Baltimore Convention, have doubtless, in
the eyes of the faithful, evinced much skill in
the piece of political architecture which in the
shape of the platform has been erected. We
shall, on the many occasions, which will offer in
the course of the impending struggle between the
two parties, enter into critical examination of
this Democratic profession of faith in all its parts.
But at present. we will adrert only to one point of
it. to illustrate the disingenuous spirit that actua
ted these assembled delegates.
Why the Declaration offIndependence,
consecrated as it is in the imaginatons of our
people,-why was that most imperishable pro-
duct of Jefferson's pen and the noblest embod-
ment of the revolutionary spirit degrad ed from its
place of high dignity, and dragged into hank in
a party PLATFORM We had supposed until now
that the great and fundamental principles of that
decaration were acknowledged of all Americans,
so far as they might be applicable to the present
condition of the country, and that they at least
stood in no need of ratification. Certain it is
that the sanctity attached to that great instrument
is in wise diminished in the minds of the peo-
pie, and we felt at loss to know what recon-
mendedit so particularly to the Baltimore Con-
vention, to lead to its public recognition and
adoption until after fresh perusa of it. There
is but thought contained in it that can have
any present significance, but sentiment that
could prove of utility to the Democratic party to
pronounce its solemn sanction at this time Here
Ii that sentiment:
"We hold these truths to be selfevdent that all men
that endowed by their
with certain unaenae rights; that among these e
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"
Well done for the Democracy This must
have been the plank of Mr.. Halett-the inser-
ton of this declaration of faith must have been
the stipulation and the price of his agreement to
the platform. Perhaps the editor of the Enquirer
can enghten the public ON this point Certain
it is, that the broad doctrine above announced is
In exact accordance with the proclaimed principle
of that gentleman who published to the Union
that he was sin favour of freedom and free-soil
eueryaohere." Now, with this extract from the
Declaration of Independence emblazoned upon
the Democratic PLATFORM, what Abolitionist can
be too rank to adopt it! Why it expresses in
stronger language than they can command the
cherished opinions of J. Giddings, Garrett Smith,
and that former confederate and copartner of Hal
lett, Robert Rantoul, jr. In their application to
Mr.. Jefferson, these sentiments were undoubted-
ly correct-as between colonies and an oppres-
sive parental government, all men are created
equal. But when torn from their connexion and
applied to the negroes in America an ignoble and
inferior breed, they are radically and essentially
false. The negroes far below the white
race in all the great components of man, as the
monkey race is inferior to them. Is not this the
Southern opinion? 1t is certainly ours.
But why this incendiary declaration of
the equality of human rights made at this time
by the Baltimore Convention It was necessary
to conciliate and win over the Abolition and Free
soil vote in the free States to Gen. Pierce, and in
order to accomplish this, the very foundations up
which the institution of African slavery rests,
have been ripped up and given to the crew, of
whose opinions, Rantou Preston King and 9TH
ers of that kidney at once the exponent aud
embodiment.
1t is easy to perceive that these men will
60 before the abolitioniss and quote this abstract
sentiment, evidence of the fact that the Balti-
more Convention, and consequently the Demo-
cratic party, are not unfavorable to their ultimate
plans. This offspring of Democratic brains and
Democratic sincerity, the platform, is made to
resemble in one particular bill in chancery-we
have not only the illitself to peruse (ong enough
in all conscience,) but likewise bundle of exhi-
bits, which they ''beg to be considered as part of
this bill,' one among which contains a sentiment
of universal freedom. And yet at any corner of
the street you can hear Democrats arrogantly de-
clare that the Democracy alone are sound upon
the question of slavery. Sound possibly, accord
ing to Northern ideas; but who can consider such
wild partizans true to the institutions of the
South! We will ask the Democratic stakeholder
ifhe believes thatall men created equaand that
liberty is among their inalienable rights, why does
he not at set his negroes free! But as selfs
close jacket, he will not be willing to prove his
faith by works, we apprehend, and his conduct
will be practical refutation of the sincerity of
his professions. But if he does not in truth be-
lieve in the inalienable equality of man, why
does he adhere to party that makes this de-
claration an important article of its creed We
expect this question is more easily asked than an
swered.
The Resolutions of '9s
We ventured to predict several weeks since,
that the VIRGINIA resolutions of ,9S and 90 would