The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-06-01

wrong in that region. [Laughter.1 He is obsti-
nate; and having started wrong. the further he
goes the worse is. If he will repent in sackcoth
andashes if he will renounce his errors and prom
ise to walk for the future in the path of Democra-
cy and truth, we will allow him to tdke place
amongst US. have some hopes of him. for
While the lamp holds out to burn.
The vest sinner may return"
[Laughter.l
Mr.. CHASE. This dscussor; SO far as it has
assumed personal character, is certainly not of
my seeking. have no disposition, however, to
shun any responsibility which it may impose. 1t
commenced in an effort to give portion Of the
public patronage 10 the National Intelgencef;
for no reason under the sun. that can see, ex-
cept to show the magnanimty of the majority in
this Chamber towards the political paper of mi
nority. Il seems to terminate in discussion of
the action of political parties in Ohio, and of some
personal matters which concern myself.
The Senator from California has thought prop.
to refer to the local politics of my State, and to
the events which resulted in my election to the
which / now hold. And now let me say to
him, and to all who concern themselves in these
things. that far l have had any share in
the fullest and most searching scrutiny. Sir.
have political secrets. Ny public life has been
plan, open, thnt he who runs may read IT'S :
record. No truthfuly say that have
ever deViated. upon any occasion or under any
influence, Gy the breadth OF hair. from the path
which fidelity to my long cherished principles re-
quise me to pursue. 1t is true that have acted
in minority. The time has been when / have
stood almost alone. Some years ago, when first
promulgated those political principles which have
ever since determined my action. found few
symp thIzers or supporters. But knew those
principles to he sound. l believed them to be inn
poltant; and did not shrink from their defense
then any more than L shrink from it now when
their abstract correctness is generally admitted,
and their practical application resolutely demand
ed by of thousands ofvoters at the ballot box
And let say to gentlemen that they are n-
dulging in vain dream if they faucy that these
principles are to die out of the hearts of the peo.
ple They will go on conquering and to conquer.
You may depend upon it that the faith of freedom
is neither dead nor dying. You may depend up
it that it has los nothing of that vital energy
which has already overcome many prejudices
and changed SO many Convictions. The advocates
Of that faith shrink from no discussion. They de-
sire it rather. They court investigation. They
challenge scrutiny. They know that the more
their principles and measures examined and
scrutinzed. the more they will commend them
selves not only 10 the warm and generous affec-
tions but to the sober and deliberate judgments of
II 6 American people.
| And nov. sir, let further say that there is
not hing in the circumstances of my election which
desire TO Withdraw from scrutiny here or else-
where. The Senator from California may, if he
sees fit. stigmafize the action of the Old Line
Democratic members of the Ohio Legislature
and every one of whom, by the way had jlst be-
| fore supported Him for Governor-as dshonorable.
never thought it so. There happens to bs two
Democratic parties in my State. The political
platforms of both substantially the same; but
one insists upon the national recognition and adop
ton of its principles the condition ofsupport to
national nominees; the other hds hitherto supports
ed na,ionpl nominees without any such condition.
The former is known the independent or Free
Democracy; the latter as the Old Line De,nocra-
cy; and many who act IA the Old Line hold the
State platform very cheap. and sympathize strong
ly with those who are known in the other States
as Hunkers; there more, however, with whom
the principles of the State platform cherish
ed faith, and who of course sympa ze
q rongIy with the Independent democracy. Some
two years ago, when national election was pend
ing, when the Old Line democracy was IN oppo-
sltion to The national administration, and of course
n 1t responsible for any pro slavery action, many
of the Independent democrats, myself among them.
supported the Old Line nominations. At this
~. tod hvo
majority over all opposition. Upon no other occa-
sion. for many years, has the Old Line State tick
ct received an absolute majority.
j A Senator. How was it at the last presden&
tiai election!
Mr.. Chase. The Independent Democrats
unanimously supported their own ticket, and the
Baltimore nominees lacked fifteen thousand votes
OF an absolute majority. Well. sir. there has
been in New York union of the Barnburners
and Hunkers; and no small pains are taken at the
other end of tho Avenue, and at this, to cement
aud consolidate this union. We have witnessed a
pretty careful distribution and adjustment of the
offices with this view. How the attempt to har-
.nonize those discordant elements by the potent
influence of patronage will succeeds cannot say:
But we k ow it is made, and we know too that
it is the moss common thing in the world, when
two partes,o or two sections of one party. having
some common objects. unite to form majority
overa third party hostile to these OBJECTS. to ai-
vide the offices which that majority has to fill be-
tween the sections which compose it. Now, it SO
: happened that in the Legislature of Ohio. in ls-
: 48 40. no party had mujpriry; the independent
i Democrats. thou.h more numerous, were not nu-
mernus enough TO effect anything by themselves.
: Under these circumstances that which was mnsi
q natural took placa-the Independents and Old
! Line democrats united. But there was, aud an
. proud to say it, no sacrifice Of principle on either
side. The Old Line Democrats voted for me be-
is cause they knew me- to be sound IN the Dsmoorat
r ie faith, though independent of party action The