The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-03-02
Zion. lie Columbian,
Sf.,c Convention Of tEaei Free DEM
crr0cV.

From tie Columbian
fks..o ronvepfion Of thei Free Dem.
Ocracy.
.oI,rnps will be found the proceedings OF +
a.. ro,,snt;op. held on the 18th of January, to-
..,,,.. vv;tf, the resolutions adopted. fbe num-
-. :, .,.epdsnce were large, intelligent jealous
.,d d.term;nsd An impression has gone abroad
that there was much want of harmony. ians IS |
miutake. There was difference OF ePinioa on /
s-vc ro;pts--first whether the Pittsburgh Plat /
80, .,,ou,d be re-adopted in form, with spch adj
d;tiops as the Convention might see ht to add
..cond,y. whether the Convention should com
,n;t itself in favor of Free Tarde and Direct Tax
ss;ou. Az soon as the Committee reported. 1t
,vss evident that very large majority OF the
f.onveution was in favor Of adopting their report
An able debate arose on ths Free Trade resolu-
siou. which was characterized by dignity, and
listened to with interest. The decision was inrge-
~ is favor Of its adoption. At tho State Consen-
ton held the year previous, the question came
intellectually before it, and many of the leading
mon ct the party, among whom was Mr.. 1'u
dines, expressed themselves in favor Of u. ine
idea of protection by special duties levied upon
imports has been yielding for many yeafs i's noio
uuou the peops, and the last Presidential election
has clearly proven that tho policy is condemned
bv the people. The question now is simply rev.
anna tariff or FREQ trade. We have no hesitation
IA ayowing ourself in favor Of the last, and such
was the view of large majority OF our friends IN
Convention. We regard revenue tariff as IN
unjust and unequal way Of supporting the gov
ernment, without any Of the benefits flowing from
protective tariff.
There was no opposition in the Convention to
the adoption Of any other Of the separate reso'a
tious. There were some who contended that
State Convention ought not to rass any resou-
lions on National questions other than those ad-
opted at the Pittsburgh Convention. For our
mart We repudate the idea. Freedou, Of thought.
and freedom of speech, are among our inalienabls
rights. Wherever Independent Democrats gather
together, let them think and spenk freely, and
after free consultation, let them embody their
thoughts in resolutions to be published, that their
friends elsewhere may know and be Influenced
by their thoughts. In this way, and this only, can
the sense of the true Democracy be made known,
and be embodied in National Platform by the
next National Convention. Strange idea, indeed,
that we are to be circumscrbed in our thoughts
and words by a set of resolutions adopted by any
body of mon, as if such body were perfect, and no
Improvement or progress were to be made.
We hear great deal said about bringing in
.,side issues, that is, such as have not ''an i'm
our party organizations were simply for the over
throw Of slavery. Our mission is far broader
u I to secure all a.sn the enjoyment Of equa
rights by giving them the projection IF jHsl
and equal laos. This is the essonce Of true De-
moaracy. By it we are to test every political
measure. We are to apply it in nll its length and
breadth, and heighth and depth. Let no true
friend of our cause be alarmed, lest by doing il
we shall create division in our rank, or drive any
from among Us. The human heart responds te
the correctness of the principle. An open, franz
avowal of it, and firm living up to it on all .oc
casions. will commend US to the sympathies, ant
prayers and yotes of the masses. Let US eeass
to fear that they cannot see as we see. Let u.
have confidence in the susceptibiHties Of the peo
pie to drink in the great principle of the peIfec
equality of all men. For want of this confdenc
we drive hundreds from US where we should los
one by frank and honest ayowal Of our princi
pies.
When We incorporated the word democracy
So our cognomen, we meant something by it
We did not take it as catch-trap, with which L
get yotes; but we took it with the honest intention
of svowing and living up to the great principle,
really embraced in the word-to rescue these prin
ciples from being everlastingly wrecked by party
that lives and prospers the name, while it scat
ters to the winds the principles themselves. In
word, we adopted the name to indicate an ohjec
which, as declared in one of the Ohio resolutions
"is to develop in its purity, the true sentiment
see any man or paper in our party set itse
against any such development. If such be nc
our object, then are we hypocrites to take tn
name of Democracy"
We have no fears of any injurious disturbanc
in our ranks. To cook the food of life, the pt
/. must boil, and no pot ever boiled without throw
ing off some scum, purifying process natural an
useful. Our ticket is good one, our principle
win bear the test of truth, and even those who
mot entirely agree with US in policy, say tht
s'the abstract principle" meets with their apprc
baton. From abstract principles to praeics
application. is only step. and We shall oil wal
IN harmony.
What we now want is organization, discussion
action. We say to our friends then-let US b
up and doing.
Toms Cabin.
The following letter to DIR. Wardlaw. dated D.
4 sDesnhar H. 1850 was read at the second anuu