The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-28
DER NATIONAL DEMOCRAT"


made its appearance, and ere this, has found
its way to every section of the country where
the German emigrant has set up his household
tabernacle. We cannot but hope that it has
met with hearty welcome from thousands of
our adopted countrymen of the good old Teu-
tonic stock. The great majority Of them voted
at the late Presidential election for the candi-
dates of the party calling itself Democratic,
under the mistaken impression that in so doing
they were subscribing the cause of freedom not
only here, but in Europe. The tone of the
Administrative organs at Washington and else
where, on the subject of our foreign policy and
their undisguised sympathes with Russian des-
potsm, must now, we think, fully satisfy every
lberty-loving German that the oppressed mil
lions of Europe have nothing to hope from the
principles or practice of party pledged to the
support and perpetuity of Slavery in the Uni
ted States
Many years ago. the lamented DR.. Follen
conferred with us in relation to the publica-
ton of papers and tracts in the German Ian
guage, showing the character of American
Slavery and the inconsistency Of its support or
countenance on the part of men exiled from
the old world for their love of freedom and ha-
tired of oppression. We are glad to see the
project of this clear-sighted and warm hearted
man realized in the publication of the "Nation-
al Demokrat," only lamenting that its columns
cannot be enriched by the productions of his
vigorous pen in calculation or defence of the
Democracy of Christianity
And, in this connection, we cannot but ex-
press our satisfaction in view of the fact that
the editor of the Demokrat is not disposed to
aid the conspiracy of kings and priests to make
religion the ally of despotism The great For
mula Of Christianity promulgated the principles
of Democracy more radical than has yet been
practiced by His professed disciples. The New
Testament is the textbook of freedom, and
when this truth comes to be fully comprehend
ed by the people, there viii be an end to ty-
rants and their priestly allies on both sides of
the Atlantic. five mistake not, there is large
class of our German fellow-citiseus to whom
such paper as the Demokrat will be especially
servceable, in enabling them to discriminate
between the Gospel Of Liberty and Humanity
and that detestable system which mockery and
king craft have substituted for it, As mat
ter of course, in6delity to such system is the
first and necess Try step towards fidelity to the
truth, in its simplicity and purity. But that
truth is not mere negation of error; it is
Affirmative of progress and reform-it is revo-
lutionary and aggressive. 1t will "turn and
overturn, until He whose right it is shall reign"
Eighteen centuries ago the voice of Him who
spake as never man spake, uttered in the syn
agogue of Nazareth the prophecy Of the inspir-
cd Hebrew poet: "The Spirit of the Lord s
upon me, because He hath annointed me to
preach good tidings to the poor; He hath sent
me to heal tho hearted, to preach de-
liverance to the captive, and recovering of sight
to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are
bruised" And as he closed the sacred scroll,
He said THIS day is this Scripture fulfilled
in your ears" This was the birth hour of De.
mocracy. The free and holy element of Chris
tianity entered into world of evil to overcome
that evil with good, to indicate the brother.
hood Of the human family, to disclose the aw-
ful intimacy OF the relations which each men,
Der of that family sustains to the Universal
Father, where love and pstcrnal care have "no
respect Of persons to smite TO earth all dis
tinctions between man and man inconsistent
with an equal participation in the blessings of
life and liberty. Wherever that gospel, in it's
original purity and power has had free course
it has melted off the chains of slaves, and open
ed prison doors, awaking new hopes and lofty
aspirations, the consciousness of an immortal
nature, the knowledge Of inalicnsble rights as
the gift Of God. A resurrection, indeed, of the
dead-the Spirit Of the Lord touching the dry
bones OF the valley as in the vision of Ezekiel,
and clothing them with the life and strength of
liberty. Herein lies the hope Of reformers, Eu-
ropean Liberals and American Abolitionists
and it argues well for its success that the Ma
fionof Demokrdt has entered upon its labors
with full appreciation Of this truth.
10 The person who reported the plan Of
organization in the Colored Mems National
Convention at Rochester, styled the "National
Council" was DIR. J. McCuns Smith, and not
Frederick Douglass as stated. J. McCune
Smith, IS West Broadway, New York, has
been chosen temporary Secretary, to receive
the votes Tor officers Of the Council, and looa-
ton Of bureau, or place of meeting Of said
Council to whom those entitled to vote are rs-
quested to send their ballots within thirty
days