The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-29
THE OHIO DEMOCRACY.

fear that violence OF language Will lead W 'io-
lence in action"
THE OHIO DEMOCRACY.
Il will be recollected that the Democratic
Party Of Ohio refused to adopt as its basis the
Baltimore platform, but that it has given an
nually, through its State Conventions, full en-
dor-ement to its old resolutions against Slavery
Theoretically, it occupies a sound position on
the question of Slavery, although practically 1t
suffers itself to be drawn away from 1t by its
managers, to whom even its theory is serious
annoyance. Among these gentlemen Is MIR.
Edgerton, O Representative from the filth Con-
OCCASIONAL district of Ohio, whose protest against
the Auti-Slavery action of majority OF the
Party 10 his district was made the subject of
the letter from Mr.. Chase, published in last
weeks Era. We hope none of our readers
overlooked that letter. 1t contained search
ing analysis of the Baltimore platform, clear
exposition of the relations of the Old Line DEM
ocratic Party in Ohio, an exposure of the gross
inconsistencies of such politicians as Mr. Edg-
eELOu hosOSiHVco, ohu hObiN
ton of the principles and aims of the indie
pendent Democracy.
We observe that Mr.. Edgerton, in note to
the Defanee Democrat, promises an answer to
it. Has he no kind friend to admonish him
that silence would be wisdom ON his part He
remarks-
81 do not think any great danger to the par
ty ia to be apprehended either from the length
or thought of the Senator's communication
neither do believe that any true man will be
Chased away from the support of the Demo
cratic party OF the nation nor become pO-
litcal Abotionist' who, in the language of
the Senator, :. if he thinks his end can be best
secured through the Wing party, will unite
with the Wing party; if through the Old Line
Democracy, with the Old Line Democracy if
through the Independent Democracy, with the
Independent Democracy That is indeed Free
Democracy, Abolition, Wing Democrat any
thing and everything for that one idea that
would 'manacle free-b born babes to liberate
the sturdy slave
His flourish about free babies is about as in
telligible as bis attempt at punning but there
is misrepresentation at this paragraph which
is rather too Ineligible He quotes from the
Letter Of Mr.. Chase a remark about Political
Abolitionists in such u connection az to convey
the impression that, in the Judgment of Mr.
Chase, a Free Democrat is one who is willing
to act with any Party for his one idea. The
truth is, Mr.. Eigerton, with a confusion OF
ideas not uncommon among such politicians,
had alluded to the Anti-Slavery men who
assail the Constitution and the Union, as pO-
litical Abolitionists. Mr.. Chase, in laudabe
effort to enlighten him, remarked
There ia no such person as a political Abo-'
litionist, who attacks the Constitution and ia
vors a dissolution Of the Uni0n-at least, have
never met with such person. There is a class
of Abolitionists, of whom MIR. Garrison is the
recognised leader, who denounce the Constitu-
ton and advocate disunion but they are not
political Abolltionists; they refuse to vote or
take any part in political action. Political Abo-
htioniStS are found IN all parties. He who be-
heves Slavery to be a great wrong, and desires
to promote its abolition by political action is a
political Abolitionist If lie thinks his end can
be best secured through the Wing party, he
will unite with the Wing party if through the
Old Line Democracy, with the Old Line Dem
ocrats; if through the Independent Democra-
cy, with the Independent Democrats
Mr.. Chase, and good many others like
him, believe that they can best attain their OBJ
jects through an Independent organization,
styled the Independent Democracy, and these
objects are as manifold AZ the political wants
of the American People, as may be seen by the
following exposition Of them, given in the
Letter:
"What are the aims of the Independent De-
mocracy? TO denationalize Slavery to d.
vorce the General Government from Slavery
to rescue the Government and it's Administra-
ton from the control of the Slave Power; to
put its example and influence perpetually and
actively on the side Of Freedom, at home and
abroad; to decentralize power; to substitute,
as far as possible, popular election of officials,
such az pOstmasters and the like for Prcsiden-
tia appointments; to reform abuses; to coon
omize expenditure; to cheaper postage; to
promote intercommunication to secure Homes
for the Homeless and Lands for the Landess;
to encourage nations struggling with tyrants,
by a noble example by generous sympathy,
and, when practicable by active aid IN short,
to make the American Republic what our
Fathers designed it should be-the country OF
Frecmcn--the Refuge Of the Oppressed, the
light of the world. These are the aims OF the
independent Democracy and these aims 1t
seeks to accomplish only by the use OF just,
honorable, constitutional means. he must
have strange ideas of Faction and of Party,
who calls the Baltimore Democracy Party,
and the Independent Democracy a Faction"