Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-03
THE BALTIMORE PLATFORM.


THE BALTIMORE PLATFORM.
We had hoped that it would not be necessary
to say any thing more than we have already
said in regard to the proper construction of the
Baltimore platform. But we find, however I'M
pleasant it may be, that it is our duty to do 80.
1t is one thing to construct, it is another thing
to pull down. 1t requires genius to build
but brute force may pull down-the edifce.
The Baltimore platform was the work of the
wisest and the most patriotic men Of the ma
ton. The object of those men, who had Just
nominated their candidate for the presidency,
was to elect him. They did not wish, however,
to elect him by trick, by bare chicanery, by
open or concealed fraud They desired to elect
him by honest means, by an open and manly
avowal of honest principles.
In regard to the general and proper prin-
ciples OF democracy there was perfect una
nimity. But in regard to the different ingre-
dents and features Of the compromise, we
confess, as we have all along said, there had
originally been some difference of opinion.
There had been, anterior to the time of holding
that convention, difference of opinion, among
some members, in regard to the admission Of
California into the Union. There had been
difference of opinion in regard to the Texas
boundary question; but there had neper been
any difference of opinion in regard to the con.
stitutionaity and propriety of the fugitive-slave
law The two first questions were past mat.
ters-they were executed-they were finally
and irretrievably settled. For good or for
evil, they were ended and fixed. The third
question was, in one respect, different. In the
technical language of the law, it was executory.
True, it was passed by Congress; but a sue
ceeding Congress, in the opinion of some,
might claim what we would ALWAYS protest
against, because Of the compromises of the
constitution the power to reconsider ito
alter ito abolish it. But the Baltimore
platform set the seal of its reprobation upon
such reconsideration-alt or aboli.
ton The Baltimore platform, and those
who made it, fixed the fugitive-slave law
as finality. The other two questions had
been fixed as fnalities before by act of Con-
gress The Baltimore platform, as the chair.
man announced, was unanimously passed.
There were none in that convention who &C.
knowledged themselves abolitionists; there
were none in that convention who acknowl.
edged themselves freesoiers. They all went
there as democrats-as national democrats.
Whether they were originally in favor of the
admission of California or of the Texas boun-
Diary, was not the question, for some of the
soundest democrats of the country opposed
those two measures; but it was material to
know, whether they were originally and at
present in favor of the fugitive-slave law and
the efficient execution of it. That was another
question. That, unlike the other two being
executory, and not executed, was the great and
the main question. Being executory, SO far as
popular power and numerical force, Though not
the CONSTITUTIONAL was concerned, the question
was narrowed down to that subject-the fugi-
tive slave law. Being, in the opinion of some,
liable to change in the manner indicated, it is
fair to suppose that the feelings, sympathies,
and prepossessions of the convention in regard
to it would be shown. They passed it unani.
mously. They thus proved that they did not
then, and never did desire it to be changed or
abolished. That was the only feature in the
compromise that there was any necessity for
passing upon. The vote was unanimous. 1t
was conclusive-it was final.
Then let those rip up and reopen the com
promise who will. Let those rip up and re-
open the Baltimore platform who will. For
our part, we stand to it and we stand by it. It
is fnality; all protesting to be democrats
must act in accordance with it, or falsify the
pledges they have made. We can we'll under.
stand the insidious assault made upon it. We
can well understand and appreciate the effort
now made to destroy it. 1t must be pulled
down, or the Secretary of the Treasury, the
Washington Union-the freesoil press-the
soft party and all their aiders, abettors and
sympathisers must stand before the country
convicted Of insincerity-of hypocrisy. Let
them pull it down if they can. Let them dis.
honor its noble and patriotic builders-for our
part, we will have nothing to do with such
movement. The time will come when these
things will be repented of in sackcloth and
| ashes. The hour may not be at hand-the
time may not be now-but it will be soon.
Prosperous Fire Department.-Th re-.
suit in the change of the fire 60.