Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-06-17
For the Glasgow Times.
PRETENSLONS.
NUMBER |.


those peculiar times sin the affairs of men," when
prejudice, shonld be set aside and the calm die
tatcs of reason should be permitted TO sway the
sceptre of reason. Tie cause which has produced
this crisis in our history, is one of momentous
importance, and as its final termination may prove
source of unbounded prosperity or be fraught
with unmitigated evils, it is but proper that we
should scan the philosophy Of the parties destined
10 figure in this mighty war of principles, and see
how far their former course will justify the belief
that they will adhere 10 the principles now set
forth before the people, From the nature of the
subject and the importance of its termination, we
shall treat of il in calm and unprejudiced man
ner, avoiding any harsh epithets, or hoarse denun
ciatons but simply address ourselves to the plain,
sober reason of the people.
The people of Missouri will in the course of
few months be called upon TO exercise that noblest
of privileges known TO the civilized world, that of
selecting their chief rulers, of State and Nation
privilege purchased at the expense of toilsome
and apparently hopeless struggle of eight years.
together with the lives of many of the noblest pa
triots that ever "fought and bled in freedoms
cause" and one sealed with the purest blood that
ever crimsoned the sod of earth in defence of hui
man liberty, and it is but proper that we should
pause and think before we exercise this dearest Of
human privileges. 1t is but showing due respect
to the memory of those who purchased it-and
proper appreciation of the rich legacy that in the
exercise of it, we look with an eye single to the
prosperity of the country and discarding party
the law of natures God entiile us'' act from the
promptings of our own Judgment, unbiased by po-
litcal prejudice and untrammeled by party shack
els. at is but our reasonable service'' that we
act Independent of sect or party and as freemen
interested in the welfare of our country shake of
fran our limbs the letters of political slavery
establish our party faith upon the foundation
!, demagogue who would apply the keen lash of par.
ty, or taunt with opprobious epthets for the sole
purpose of self aggrandizement
: The two great political parties of the county
have met in their respective conventions for tht
State, and each have published to the world, tn,
principles upon which Gin the event of success
their political actions are 10 be founded and it il
our privilege as well as our purpose now TO scru
tinize the manifests of each, and see how fal
2 their former course, and the demands of pub.
, lie justice coincide with them. We shall begin
with the Jefferson city conven ton and endeavor il
the first place to point out of the many incon
stancies contained in the platform as laid down by
that body, and endeavor TO show that it was fran
ed to suit the sentiments of any individual no mat
n ter what they be.
The first resolution Of the Jefferson City plat
form re-afirms the principles of the party as hell
out in 1S4s, and expresses determination to stan,
v by and maintain them and the third resolution en-
= dorses the comprmse as a final settlement of tn
t veXed questions "threatening the harmony and in
4 tegrity of the union" Now if our recollection
serves us right, one of the principles avowed b,
II Gen. Cass in his "Nichoson letter. in 1913, an
made plank of the Democratic platform of tina
d year, denied the constitutional power of Congress
to egisate upon the subject Of slavery in the ter
:. ritories belonging TO the Government.
How is it then that the same party now VIII
cling to the principles of 1913 upon the subject, ca
l. ''abide by and maintain'' set of measures whic
TO all intens and purposes violates those principles
How can they uphold and support two sets of prin
ciples, so anagonistic and act with any degree O
consistency? The one declaring certain act f
= be unconstitutional-and the other exercising iii
3 power forbidden in the first, by abolshing tn
o slave trade in the District of Columbia, and yet W
C see the Democracy of Missouri pledged 10 mair
> tain both. The "qucsons involving the harmon
and integrity of the Union' was simply the que:
y ton of the constitutional power of Congress to leg
isate upon the subject of slavery in the territorie
n and the compromise recognizes that right not
ID word but deed and the same party which deny II
e power promise 10 F'abde by and maintain" that St
of measures as "fnal settlement of the question.
In one resolution virtually declare certain a
unconstitutional and in another declare their vii
- ingness TO "abide by and maintain it as part
10 their creed sob! consistency, thou art indeed
N jewell" If they support the first, they can III
"abide by and maintain' the third, for there is
principle of philosophy which teaches us that tw
u bodies can not occupy the space at the san
"a time and reasoning priori it would seem that
body could not occupy the two places at one an
A the same time, so they must let go Some horn"-
49, which that will be depends upon certain circun
stances as the good of the Democratic party GO
Z particular may require. We have often kne
ID them to uphold and put into practice, measur
N clearly UNCONSTITUTIONAL but this is the first time
n. have ever knew them to confess it and make pro
iamation of it public, and we will therefore acco
. to the members of the convention their full sha
10 Of praise for this act of political farness-whit
I'd is certainly anomaly in the history of that part
IN The second resolution declares in favor of the
m cession aud notification doctrines of Virginia al
i Kentucky,of '9S and '93 'Eas expounded by The
distinguished authors" and the fifth eschews eve
thing tinged or scented with secession. This
certainly a contradiction of statements. In Il
second they declare themselves beleversi in, uphoI
on ers of, and abiders by the secession doctrine al
in before you could say "amen7 Il you had 20
err mouth open-they turn about and ia the fifth res
:; luton denounce the doctrine of secession in teri
of unmeasured dsapprobation.. How is this
d. they take the doctrine "dry SO" and eschew t
ed practice? Do they adore the Idol and yet deSpi
ed lis deluded wnrshipers? II is such hetrOgeneo