Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-01-28
Democratic Resrogresslon.

to instructed our Senators and Representa-
tives in Congress to vote against the admis-
sion OF slavery in New Mexico and Califor-
MIA, or any other Territory belonging to the
United States, also to oppose the admission
of any more Slave States into the Union
These resolutions were subsequently approx
cd and endorsed by the Democratic party in ev-
cry congressional district, and in county con-
yentions in every organized county in the
State. They have also been adopted in spi-
rit by democratic State conventions. But it
appears that ali exigency, real or supposed,
has now arisen in which it is necessary for
the party to change its principles, and to
make public avowal Of such change
Accordingly Mr.. Vittum, of the Senate,
d, who it is said dates his conversion to the
democratic party, only some nine months
back, has introduced resolution recinding
the resolutions of 1910, which declare against
the further extension of slavery. This reso-
! luton of Mr.. Vittum was preceded by a
memorial signed by such precious specimens
of democracy as Sat Clark Fred Horn, Doct.
Carey and Others Of like kidney, imploring
the Legislature TO retract the antl-slaTery
doctrines formerly expressed by the party,
and intimatug that the said resolutions as
! they now stand, are rock Of offence to our
| Southern brethren. The memorial, in its Ian
guage, is one of the most transparent attempts
to tiatter and render obsequious subserviency
to the powers which are to be, that ever en-
anated from race of degenerate office seek
ers.
! And what will the Legislature do will
they recind these resolutions and thus virtually
declare that the position of the democratic
party, in this State, has hitherto been an UNI
justiiablc one on the question Of slavery ex
tension? that the acquisition Of slave terrific
ry and the admission Of new slave states, is
no longer to be protested against by the dem
ocratic party of the North. Had any man
predicted two years ago, or even one year
ago, that the democratic party in Wisconsin
would take such an attitude in the beginning
Of the year 1853 the prediction would have
been secuted by every democratic press
in the State What wonderful change a
few brief months make in the protested prin-
ciples of political aspirants? How suddenly
men can whirl about, deny their once profess
sed political faith, and run in the direction
of their supposed interests. There has been
no change here in the question itself at issue;
if slavery extension was wrong in 1849 1t
cannot be right in 1853. Matters which
pertain to the inalienable rights Of man, can
never change-thev are as immutable as the
attributes of God. Politicians may change
! and become weathercocks to the popular
breeze, and that they do change most aston
! ishingly is evident in the case Of which we
now speak.
If the resolutions of 1849-resolutions
which have been approved over and over
again in the primary meetings Of the people
throughout the State-shall be repealed, then
! let no one hereafter say that democracy has
! fixed principles of action, let there be no more
| talk of Jefersonan doctrines, of recognized
landmarks pertaining to political rights
As we'll may the chameleon boast Of unifor-
nifty of color, as the democratic party talk
of stability Of principles, if the retrogressive
movement now urged, shall find favor with
/ the assembled wisdom at Madison But we
I apprehend that the honest and principled
portion of the party will deny that the office
seekers who now cndeavor to introduce new
tests Of democracy are the true representatives
( of democratic principles or the legitimate
opponents of the democratic faith. 1t cannot
be possible that the great body of the party
the industrial and the laboring classes are
ready to disayow their long expressed and cher
rished sentiments and follow after a SET of reck-
less, would be, political leaders.
Thus far the democratic press has been
slow in seconding the measures of the office
seekers; some of the Pierce and King papers
have spoken Undecided disapprobation. The
Milwaukee Morning News, however, which.
by the way, is one of the most untirng and de-
voted pro-slayery journals in the State, is us
ing every possible appliance to drive the
Legislature to a repudiation ofthe formerly ex-
pressed sentiments adverse to slavery, What
the result will be remains to be seen.
Fs~ 1t is stated to be the intention Of the
Pontiac and Grand Haven Rail Road Com
pany, to Immediately put the whole line from
Pontiac TO Grand Haven under contract
When this road is completed, there will be a
/ -. G., Co.. H..