The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-05


States out of abect sobeerseney TO sectional 81 ass
interest Nor IL it in the spirit OF dem ,crscy to
pledge its "acquiesoence" in measures acknowledged
to be wrong, or to admit the power OF one Congress
10 bind its SUCCESSORS ~ perpetuate an abuse, be-
cause il has been called by its authors "hna" set
tlement.
In the name Of democracy which recognises no
fiDality to reform while abuse remain and when &C
quiescs in no compromises by which liberty sur
rendered. we reopen all these issues. We reAirm
the competency OF the people for sel'-government,
and TO choose from among themselves, and not oy
the dictati0n Of politicians the men who Will admin.
lister the government for the public good We stand
mp now for the paramount value OF personal rights
above the interests OF property, and for the s0ve
reignty Of the States against the entertainments OF
federal power, however nsdious; and We step iorth
with the foremost In vndcation OF the power and IN
dependence of our country among the nations, while
we seek to remove by constitutional means the only
evil that furnishes our character, or weakens our
hands, OF embarrssses our arguments, In our rela-
Fellow democrats who have never acted with our
organization we are sensible that by this title we
may speak to the great majority of the citizens Of the
Empire State. We claim no merit Of superior intel
snt OF differences OF opinion. We have ourselves
learned by degrees the fuller application of princi
pies which are as dear to you as to US. Ia this i'm
portaut Development of humanity, imperfection is
not insincerty, neither is inconsistency proof of
hypocrisy We only ask you whether you ara not
tired Of going back and forth between two rival sets
Of politicians, of which the main difference is, that
when set in power the other are out Are you
not convinced that true democracy not to be found
among natl paliZed politicians, by whatever name
they may cal themselves? We ask You nov to look
after the remedy for these abuses, by first tracing
them to their cause And That inse is to be found
in the political asceDdancy Of the slave power, by
which dtspotical moneyed 0ligarcby OF few thou
sand persons control the whole government of the
country for their own advantage, and in derogatiol
of the rights OF all others.
You have been long AcrustON Ia Ink tn the
slave interest for your political leaders, your model
democrats. And, indeed, they are loud-mout ned ia
defence Of personal liberty when their rights
are in danger they jealous for State sovereignty
except when 1t snits them to trsmpIe GU the so.
veregnty OF their sister SIaes they are bold for the
national independence whenever their great and
parsme mt interest Of slavery does not demand the
sacrifice Of honor. But bow can shareholders, as q
body, be democratic, when they hold the interest of
slavery superior to all other interests and rights of
themselves or others 1t Il only by throwing Off its
dependence upon the slave power, and its old DETER
ence to the owners of men, that democracy can re-
cover its own freedom and be thus prepared for the
further reforms which time may require.
80 firmly are We persuaded of the soundness of this
position, that we have taken permanent stand at
this point, and have resolved to follow no lead and
sustain no political organization, which is not indie
pendent OF the dctation of the slave power. Few or
many, and DC TIE struggle longer or shorer here is
the position to which the country must come, or de-
moclacy IS PROSTATE forever. Independent demo.
cracy or noLe is the alternative before us.
We appeal TO those who acsed with us 10 laying
the Buffalo platform in lS4s a. we'll as to those who
then admitted that we we're on The right ground,
Only the time was not quite for them to join Us.
Have you gained anything by pursuing temp orizing
policy! Is democracy any nearer its tru,nphs, or
aore free rom It's embarras ments, By all your com
promises, and reunions, and acqniescingi, and bar.
gainsf Is he present political condition OF the coun.
try a'tsros to your sagaciy, consoatory to your
patriotism
Oh, f.lloE-cifzcns, arouse, and burst the con.
femptibc bands by which politicians have bound
you hand and foot, to make merchandise of you
once more III the sbambles Of venaity and intrigue
Exercise your freedom, and then you are free
Act ndtptndently, aud then you are indie pendent.
Choose for yourselves. and then yon acquire the
power Of choice and then democracy shall again be
free. LYMAN CLAEY
ROBERT r. RAYMOND,
u. l. S0ULE, Of On,ndaca
ENoCH MARKS.
CHARLES A. WHEATON,
ID. Il. FEosT, Of Madison.
SAMUEL ID. PORTER. Of Mosroe
X. II. SPENCER, of Osyego.
D. A. STAfsBURY, of New York.