The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-03

mary INTERESTS out because ~ serves as 'ooe
on which to unite the South, divide the North,
sectionalize the Democracy, and, through 1T,
the Federal Government.
Now, we appeal to the liberal Democrats of
the country. Are you prepared to pass once
more under the yoke of Slavery? To section
alize your party To go into the Presidential
canvass on the single issue, disguise it as you
may, of the fnality of an odous law for catch
ing runaway slaves? To labor for the success
of candidate pledged to restrain the indie
pendence of the Law-making Power! To aid
by your influence and votes in placing the
Federal Government under the absolute con-
troll of a Slaveholding Faction utterly devoid
of sympathy with the cause of true Democra-
cyf The year ls4s witnessed the emancipa-
ton of many of you from thraldOm, which
for years you had execrated, without being
able to break. "You ran well for season,
who did hinder you ~ You had given les
son to the Slave Power, and it was hoped that
thenceforth the Democracy would prove loyal
to its own great Truth, and not seek success
by harlotry with Slavery. Have you grown
weary of well-dong! Is this hope to 60 out
in perpetual night!
Among the old Jews the privilege was Sc
cured to the Hebrew bondsman, every seven
years, of going out free. But if, at the end of
that time. he was so in love with his condition
that he would not leave it, then his master was
to take an awl, and thrust it through his ear
unto the door-post, and the servant became
bondsrnan foreuer. The question submitted to
all lberal-minded Democrats now, is, will you
have your ears bored to the door, and become
bondsmen forever! Or will you 90 out free
men, by the grace of God and your own brave
hearts -
All that you need is, faith in Principle and
in the People Submit its claims to their deci-
sion, and their response will be prompt and de-
cisiye
No matter now what the resolves of the Bal
timore Convention, if it put in nomination
any one of these pledged men, it ratifes his
pledge, becomes bound by it, and, what is still
worse, sanctions it as a precedent Having
taken him, with the mortgage upon him, it
becomes responsible for his obligations, and
every voter who sustains him becomes equally
responsible.
Let the Convention have nothing to do with
the Finality Test or any new article of faith
let it pass by oil the pledged candidates and
take one unpledged and uncommitted, and
liberal Democrats could then sustain their party
consistently with their principles; but the mo-
ment the Convention, by its resolves or nomi-
nations shall take sectional ground, thus rec
ognising the supremacy of the Slave Power,
it ceases to be Democratic, and misrepresents
the Democratic party From that moment,
fidelity to Truth loyalty to the Party itself,
justify opposition to its action and nomination
and in the opinion of an outsider who claims
the right to speak freely, though not dogmat-
cally, they demand it.
By the Liberal Democrats we mean those
who desire to see their Party released from
Pro-Slavery influence, and placed in a condi-
ton where it can practically sustain all we'll
uhCSoCu hiONChiCheo ioI thC PIOIuotlol VI tUt 1
interests of the masses They may be divided |
into several classes first those who regard |
their Party organization only as a means for
the advancement of Democratic Principles;
secondly, those who look more to the growth
and perpetuation of the organization than to
its principles; third, those who, while approx
ing of its principles, regard it also as a means
for securing patronage to themselves and
friends.
Suppose the Baltimore Convention nominate
one of the aspirants who have pledged them
selves to this man in Richmond, or a candidate
ON the platform assumed by them what can
you, Democrats of Principle, expect to gain by
his success? His triumph will be the triumph
of Slavery, not of single Principle of Liberty
Are you to look for the promotion of sound
Democratic doctrines at the hands of man
whowas elected for the purpose, primarily, of Sc
curing the ascendency of selfish, tyrannical
Faction, over the views and will of large ma
jority of the American People, What could
you lose by his defeat! Has Wing Executive
been able in the course of four years to change
or modify the Democratic Policy of the country
or to prevent the Democratic Party from re-
turning an overwhelming majority to Congress?
What might you gain by his defeatl The rod
of Slavery would be broken: the politicians
who have betrayed your Party into false po-
sition would be Frustrated Faction would
cease to lord it over the Democratic masses |
These results were almost achieved by the |
Democratic revolt of ls48; they might
have been wholly secured, had the Radi- |
cal Democrats of New York maintained their
position Their detection has led the way to
another trial of the old policy. Let it fail
this time let the leaders and masses of the
Democracy be made to feel that the Party that
leans upon Slavery leans upon broken reed
and the miserable experiment will scarcely be
repeated
Democrats of Party rather than of Prin-
ciple what can you expect from the success of
such a candidate In less than two years the
Democracy would go into minority in most
of the Free States. The Wings by tho aid Of
the Anti,Slavery Sentiment provoked by your
conduct would break the power of your organ
zation And what would result from defeat?
Not what happened after the events Of ls4s |
Then there was u Democratic demonstration of |
revolt against the Slave Power that brought |
accessons to the Democratic ranks in the free |
States, but, in the case now supposed--you,
clnging to your organization, though controlled |
by Slavery-defeat would bring you no recruits
In your adversely, oil your pledges of future |
devotion to Liberty would be spurned-the
People would not trust you.
And you, Democrats of Patronage who |