The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-04

Let tne people OK ONO choose between the
Compromise Democracy and the Independent
Democracy, and may God defend the Right!
THE CREED. POLICY, AND SPIRIT, OF THE
INDEPENDENT DEMOCRACY,
Contrasted 10Th the doctrine and drift of the old
lines Baltimore PloJorm-Apostaey of the
National Demoeroey" from the Jefersonian
construction of the Constitution, and It, virtual
Transformation into FEDERALISM.
A correspondent of the New York Evening
Post, writing from Defiance, in the northwest
of Ohio, under date of July 18th, gives the fol-
lowing synopsis Of speech of Senator Chase
recently delivered at that place. Let it be
carefully read and studied if the people of
this nation understood our principles and aims
as they are here presented, the Government
would be regenerated as soon as the next series
of elections afford the opportunity of reforming
their representative agencies.
While here, | have had the pleasure of list
ening to an elaborate speech by Mr. Chase, the
United States Senator from this State, defining
his political position, and advocating the prin.
ciples Of the Independent Democracy. will
not attempt to sketch his speech but perhaps
your readers would like to know the political
position occupied by him and his friends in the
present Ohio campaign. Mr.. Chase has done
more to reduce the principles of the party with
which he is identified to harmonious whole,
and to place them On the broad basis of De-
mocrscy, than any man Of the party-indeed,
Al. ,kL~.
avowed himself a Democrat holding sacred the
great democratic truth Of mans equality, aud
the duty of government to protect him in the
enjoyment Of his equal and inalienable rights
by general and impartial laws. He declared
himself 10 favor of the Ohio Democratic plat
form, the Anti-Slavery portion of which was
first promulgated in lS4S, and has been reiter-
ated annually at every State Convention of tho
Democracy since, and said he was ready TO
stand upon it, He compared this platform with
the platform of the Democracy put forth at
Baltimore in June last, oontending that in no
particular did they harmonic I; and said that
as an honest, consistent man, he could not stand
upon both platforms, but was compelled TO
choose between them; and, thus placed, he
could not hesitate but must stand by the free
and noble principles Of the Ohio Democracy,
instead of those Of Baltimore, dictated by the
slave power.
He gave history Of the condition of Slavery
at the time of the formation of our Govern
ment; of the expectation of our fathers of its
speedy termination; the causes which have pre-
vented this expectation from being realized
and the growth of the slave power. He showed
how this power, in former years, had mostly
united at general elections with the Democrat
ic party, holding, in common with it the doc
trine Of State rights, and believing as it did,
while the General Government was, as in its
outset, i-Slavery, THAT the only security for
Slavery was in State rights but now, he de-
clared that we must look for change of policy
on the part Of shareholders; that the Govern
ment of the United States was now under Pro-
Slavery influences and Shareholders, seeing it
could be welded for the support of their pecu-
liar institution would abandon their State.
rights theory woald 20 for increasing the
power of the National Government-would
identify themselves with the property interests
Of the rich men of the North--and that the
Democracy must either practically abandon
the old Je6ersonisn doctrine OF State rights and
protection Of the rights of man, instead Of prop
y interests, or the union of political action be-
tween il and Shareholders must coaso. He de-
clared that the slave power was now the ruling
power Of the country, standing in the way Of
oil substantial progress and that il is opposed
to all reform in the army and navy 70 re-
trenchment in the expenditures Of tho Nation
al Government; to the passage Of an efficient
homestead law; to the annexation Of territory
from which TO make free States, and 10 all ef
forts tending to promote freedom in this and
all other lands. He then declared his creed of
national politics 10 be summed up in these
words: "Denationalze Slavery--Deccntralix
Power.D By dcnationalxing Slavery, he mesnt
the practical application OF that clause Of the
Constitution, wherever Congress has exclusive
Jurisdiction, which provides that " No person
shall be deprived Of liberty without due process
Of law This, Of course, would abolish Slavery
and the slave trade in the District of Column
bia, do away with the carrying Of slaves upon
the high seas in vessels sailing under protec-
tion of our national laws and would protect
our Territories from the curse Of Slavery. Bv
decentralizing Power, he meant restricting the
action Of Congress carefully within the grants
Of the Constitution retrenching the eIpendi.
lures Of the Government and reducing the
revenue 10 its absolute wants granting the
public lands, FREQ Of cost, to actual settlers--
thus purifying the Halls and lobbies Of Con-
gre~ from hungry spectators, and preserving |
IL members from many temptations 70 Aqffup-
son--and electing all national oficerS " the |
people, % far - IL can be done consistently |
with IN efficient administration Of the Govern |
ment. BY thus denstionalising Slavery and
deoentralizing Power, Mr.. Chase believes the |
National Government would be freed from the |
dominion Of slsvsholding oligAruhy, Slavery
would be circumscr;bed within is present lim- !
ita and characterization neOesnariiv s00n take