The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-17
NO REASON FOR STRIFE.

. Free Democratic Convention OF ONO, IN favo
of the principle of Free Trade, has occasionoC
less discussion than might have been expected
STILL a few of our friends in Ohio and else
where object to it with some warmth
1t is to be hoped that the question may not
attract more attention than it deserves, and
that no discussion to which it may give rise, be
permitted to disturb the harmony or impair
the efficiency of the Independent Democracy
The resolution of the Ohio Convention afirms
two principles, which, we suppose, are in ac-
cordance with the views of the great majority
of our citizens. 1t does not recommend violent
changes in the mode of raising revenue, or any
rash and reckless legislation 1t simply afirms
|, that the fair and just mode of raising rev.
enue for national purposes, is that which the
Constitution makes the equivalent of slave rep
resentatiOn-Direct Taxation D 2, "that sound
policy requires system of free trade with all
nations that will trade free with the United
States"
Under the present mode of raising national
revenue by taxation of imports, the consumers
of the country bear the burden-the poor, and
those with small incomes paying almost as
much rs the rich. Under the system of direct
taxation, the burden would be Justly proper
toned resting chiefly upon property, lightly
upon persons.
Under our present system, the revenue is I'M
certain, tending always to a surplus, and is abb
stracted from the people by such a method that
they are apt to look with indifference upon its
wastelul expenditure. We're they taxed direct
ly, the knowledge of what they pay would make
them economical and impose powerful restric-
ton upon public expenditures.
We think there can be no doubt as to the
principle asserted by the resolution, in relation
to the fairest mode of raising revenue; but no
sudden changes are proposed We lay down
the principle, and would gradually shape the
legislation of the country 30 as ultimately to
embody it. and give it practical effect.
So of Free Trade. The resolution is silent as
to the policy that ought to be pursued in regard
to nations that will not open their ports to us it
merely declares that sound policy requires
system of free trade with all nations that pill
trade free loith the United States" Who OBJ
jects to this As an Individual, we might 90
one step further, and say that the true policy
for us is free trade with other nations, whether
they will reciprocate or not. But this is not the
position of the Ohio Convention its ground is
strictly that of reciprocity. But there are few
who really question this policy. Even the New
York Tribune, if we understand it is in favor
Of real reciprocity of trade with the Canadas
The Convention simply purposes to extend the
policy The Practical action which its posi-
ton must contemplate is such legislation by
Congress, and such negotiation by the Fed
eral Executive, as will encourage foreign na-
tons to adopt towards MS liberal commercial
policy, ultimately resulting in the removal of
all restrictions from commerce
Now, what is there in all this to provoke dis
sension in the ranks of the Free Democracy, or
disturb in any way the harmony of its coun-
ellis
In some remarks on this subject few weeks
ago, we insisted that no party proposing to OBJ
tain the control of the Government should
allow itself to be without settled opinions in
relation to all political questions likely to come
up for consideration or to conceal its opinions
AT the same time, we recognised the duty of
liberation, of allowing the largest latitude of
opinion upon what were called side questions
OF issues
Some of the old party papers seem to think
that this involves the policy which we have so
Indignantly condemned in them, of supporting
the candidate and splitting upon the platform"
We can easily show them their mistake
1t is not to be supposed that man can
always agree with all Of the doctrines of the
party with which he acts or with all of the
opinions Of the candidate whom he supports.
II there be agreement in the main, and if the
points of disagreement involve no question of
moral right or wrong, he may justify his CO.
operation. A party must have its paramount
and ts subordinate issues there must be
agreement upon the former while there may
be disagreement ON tho latter but the thing
TO be condemned is this making that para
mount which should be subordinate, and that
subordinate which should be paramount, } pla-
eng questions of eIped'eney, or mere policy
above questions of principle, or right and
iorong, elevating the controversy about modes
OF raising revenue or dsbursing it, to the dig
nifty Of paramount question, while the contro-
versy about the protection or subversion Of
Human Rights is degraded to the position of
a subordinate question affirming and support
ing wise policy in relation to q Tariff, while
Affirming or supporting wicked policy in re-
lation to Human Freedom.
Now, the old parties, through their Conven-
tons, did not exactly degrade the question of
Freedom and Slavery to subordinate posi-
tlon, but they did worse-they took ground
upon IT. repugnant to justice and humanity.
AL the North, their adherents while sup
porting their respective organizations, under
took to get rid of the responsibility of this
wrong, by assuming that the question was
entirely subordinate. But this itself was a
wrong On what ground could they justify
themselves In making a question involving
human rights, subordinate to questions touch
ing hnance, tariff, governmental eIpendi-
ture, or party success,
The Independent Democratic Convention of
OHIO occupies ground entirely different 1t
makes the question of Slavery and Freedom
paramonnt--it occupies on this question the
right position Questions affecting free trade
governmental expenditure, cheap postage, Sc,
!. regards as subordinate, but is at no pains to
conceal its opinions respecting them. These