Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-12-09
Gg The strength of party may perhaps

Eple Is not always SO indicated
We are well aware that since ls4S, and
since the passage of the Compromise Mea-
sures, which affected territory then in dispute,
there have been no distinct and well defined
measures before the Government involving
the principles of the Free Democratic party.
That party has been laboring rather for the
recognition Of abstract principles, and in num-
bers has necessarily embraced only the few
who could perceive and understand not only
the nature Of these principles, but the neces-
sity for their agitation at this time.
At the Presidential election in 1913, the
attention of the people was first prominently
called to the designs of the slave power upon
the government. There was then territory
waiting for organization. Slavery ayowed its
purpose to have it, and put forth its candi-
date. This was practical measure; people
could see it and understand it,and the strength
OF the Free Soil movement at that time in its
first inception is not forgotten The ques-
ton with reference to the specific matters
/ then In dispute was settled People did not
lose their love for free soil, nor their determi
nation to yindicate correct principles, but thov
failed to see longer the necessity under the
circumstances for that peculiar action, and
those who composed the Free Democracy.
many Of them at least, returned to their old
party ailinities. Those who remained are
men who saw the tendency Of the slave pow
er IN our government; that it wss aiming for
complete permanent and undisputed control
therein, to the endthat the government might
for al! time be administered to strengthen and
maintain that peculiar institution, and for
that reason continued their organization and
subsequent effort. This party seeing and un-
dersanling this effort on the part of the slave
power, knows that the time must come when
what is now an abstraction will resolve itself
in a practical reality, apparent to the very
dullest comprehension.
The question then is not whether this ne
culiar Free Democratic party has many or
few in numbcls--whether it has or has not
the Offices and cmOlumentS of the country.
but what is the feeling of the people when
the necessity for action arises, when the oues-
ton between the free and slave principles
fairly presents itself in tangible and practi-
cal shape. This is the question, and what
then, let us ask, is the state of feeling?
The South says the fugitive slave law is a
failure because the sentiment of the North
will not permit It's peaceful operation. Now
this Is direct opposition to the Baltimore
Platform, and is Free Democratic party sen
timent. The attempt to enforce the fugitive
slave law brings the question up in a practi-
cal shape. 1t is no longer an abstraction,
but forces itself on the understanding of the
people as present and immediate measure
and 10, the Free Democracy proves itself to
.
ance is it that Frank Pierce gets $25, 900 a
year out of the L. S. Treasury to issue bulls
against Free Soiers, and ten thousand lesser
scamps all over the country who feed from
his hands, echo his mandates as long as such
is public sentiment. Come into our little ci-
ty here, and attempt to take one of its citi-
zens into slavery and it would be found that
almost the whole population would be active
in putting INTO operation the Free Democra-
tic principle.
This shows the sentiment of tho people
where the question takes practical shape be-
fore them.
We know not how soon questions may
arise in the nation, arraying these two senti-
ments in distinct opposition The nation is
young. 1t embraces but small part of
North America as yet, and has, undoubtedly,
in coming time, institutions to frame for the
whole of it, and that collision must come is
certain, 1t is expected with reference to Ne
braska-the organization of which as a terri
tory will be attempted during the Congress
now in session-but whether sooner or later
it must come.
And in Judging of the probable strength
of the Free Democratic sentiment among the
people, it is important to bear in mind that
it viii not be controlled and modified as in
1913, and as heretofore, by old party anni-
ties. There are very few indeed who do not
know and feel that the substance of old par
ty organizations is passed away, and that
scarcely shadow remains People feel free
and independent, and are ready at the first
undoubted intimation of necessity to range
themselves according to their afiuities on the
measures which arise.
Can there be doubt then as to the ma
ture of the real sentiment of the people of the
North? We shall not be grieyed if an occa-