The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-23

convention at u lea and speeches were made by
John Van Buren,, Henry B. Stanton, aud others,
giving the strongest assurances that the propos-
ed union would ensure the recognition of their
principles by the entire Democracy of New
York.
An extract from speech of Mr. Van Buren,,
upon the introduction OF the resolutions, will
show the character of these assurances
81 will state Che fema ked,) fairly, freely and
fully, what we expect We expect to make the
Democrats party OF this State the great anti
slavery party of this State, and, through ii, to
make the Democratic party of the United States
the great anti-sayery party of the United States.
Those who do not contemplate this result will do
we'll to get out OF the way; for there is no doubt
that when our principles get fairly before the
people, so that they can hear them and know
what they are--Aud have made arrange
ments for that now---lh.t the whole people will
go with us. And our Southern friends, having
had things all their own way for the last twenty
five or thirty years, must make up their minds
to let us have our own way for awhile, we being
fair men, and reasonable in our demands"
! These assurances prevailed, and the united
ticket was agreed to.
| Immediately after this, both divisions of the
party met in mass convention, at Syracuse. AT
| this convention resolution on slavery was
adopted, affirming the constitutional power OF
Congress over slavery in the District of Colum
bia and the territories, but not recommending
the exercise OF the power in respect to the Dis
| trict, and only recommending Its exercise IN re-
gard to the territories ''on occasions Of at.
tempts to introduce slavery into them. The
resolution further declared, that simple agree
ment in support of the ticket and not concur
renee, even in these views, was to be made the
basis of the union This was certainly serious
retrogresson from the position taken at Buffalo,
and, only two days before, at Utica and yet the
leaders of the radical Democracy still assured
the friends OF freedom that all safe, and that
the entire Democracy of New York would ad.
vance to the impartial application of Democratic
principles TO all questions, slavery included, and
array its unbroken strength against the encroach
ments of slavery, and the domination of the
slave power; and many earnes. opponents of
slavery, relying on these ces, gave to the
united ticket, not hesitating and reluctant, but
cordial and vigorous support
| What ground they had for such reliance will
appear from declarations made at the Syracuse
mass convention, and Oh other occasions, about
the same time, by gentlemen who possessed
| their undivided confidence.
| Among these gentlemen, Preston King stood
very prominent His action in Congress, his
course at Buffalo, his high repnte for sincerity
and integrity. had knit to him the affections of
the free soil Democracy. He was formally
called upon to address the mass convention, and
among other things, said. "The great question
before the American people now is shall the
interests of slavery, as political power, prs
dominate over the principles of freedom in this
country There ia no doubt that this is the
prominent question before the country.
There is no doubt that the reason for not OK
pressing such sentiments on this subject as are
entertained, is the apprehension that the slave
States will be lost. There is no doubt that this
mercenary consideration binders many from
speaking out what they think and feel. The
object of this convention is to unite the party,
so that its action may be unanimous in Congress
in favor of freedom. And that action must be
unanimous. | believe that our conventions at
Rome and Utica were sincere and unanimous in
the determination not to sacrifice a particle
of principle | believe, and we believe, that,
nine tenths of the Cass men agree with us on
this QUESTION. If not should not desire this
union but, for certain reasons which are un.
known to me, certain men who have had much
| influence with them, are not here. Perhaps
they do not agree with us, and do not desire
this union In the county in which | reside
there are many men belonging to party which
united their strength with ours last year, a
| Buffalo, in way which excited my admiration
They wished to see the advancement of the pri
| ciples Of freedom, and showed no socirude
about the distribution of Offices Let US now
be true 10 principle under this union, and they
will 90 with us, and 80 will all honest and
! liberty loving men but the moment We aban-
don this principle they will quit, and | will
quit with them"
John Van Buren,, who had been regarded as
| the Ceur de Lion Of the free Democracy, and
whose bold voice for freedom had rung through
out the land like trumpet call, everywhere
arousing enthusiasm, and everywhere inspiring
determination, also addressed this mass conven-
ton. After declaring, in strong terms, his unnl
tered convictions on the subject of slavery, and
the existing necessity for speech and action, he
said :--"I have had occasion to say, heretofore,
that would not support any man for the Pres
dency who does not believe slavery to be an un
mitigated evil, and who will not uae all the
power which the Constitution and laws may
place in his hands for iis overthrow. would
give notice now, that the general judgment of
the people of this State is, that they cannot and
will not swerve from its position; and as for me,
| shall live and die by it. o This committee have
not reported that resolution, and have, there
fore, fallen far short of what want said but,
nevertheless, they do say something"
The speech to which Mr.. Van Buren, referred,
was delivered at Cleveland on the anniversary
of the ordinance of 1887, just one month pre-
vous to the assembling of the mass conven-
ton, at Syracuse. In that speech he had thus
defined his POSITION
When have heard it said that no STAKEHOLDER
shall be President the United States, have dis
scented. Washington stakeholder was
Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. When slave
holder like them shall sustain our principles he
can bring to our aid class Of men no other man
can reach therefore, do not think it proper TO
take such position. | am however the unmti-
gated enemy of slavery, and would have it abo
lshed without delay. | say, therefore for myself
and | wish to be understood speaking for
myself aone--that let what will come, shall,
under no necessity whatever, support man who
does not believe slavery to be an unmixed curse,
and who will not, by virtue of his office, use all
constitutional power TO abolish it. But ask by
what mode are to reach the object in view.
The answer is plain. BY going back directly to
that adopted and pursued by the immortal foun-
ders of our government. 1t is comprised briefly
in this. No more slave States--no more slave
| uitbdra xyal IF the suppnrt of the