The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-09-12

C1TY OE e. a N SVlL LE.
TUESDAY MORNING .:::::::::::SEPT. 10.
Democracy Five Years ago-Oid Line
Renegades.
The whole business at this particular time
of the "Old Line Democrats so called, but
more properly termed "machine Democrats
because they go just they are wound up,
is an endeavor to "whip in" every member of
the Democratic party proper, to think and
vote precisely with the Nebraska Admins
tration followers. These machine Demo-
Gratis are not content with merely appealing
to old party partalities and prejudices, but
they call every Democrat who chooses to ex-
ercise freedom of opinion for himself, on a
certain question, and who thus opposes their
desires, an bolitionist," "traitor." "rene-
gade," &C., &c. Now it becomes Demo.
Gratis to think for themselves in this matter.
and to their reason and judgment we intend
appealing in this article. Ii should not be
enough for any free born or free thinking
American citizen at this day, TO be merely
told that to do such thing is right, and to
DO such another thing is wrong. He should
think for himself, reason within himself, and
act by the decision of his own judgment, not
by the dictates of the judgments of others,
who are SO blinded by partysm that they
can see no errors in themselves, or so devo.
ted to spoils that they have no charity for
anything calculated to endanger their pap.
Now these selfstyled cold line Demo.
Gratis" claim to be the regular, consistent,
infallible Democracy-the always right and
never wrong-and that those Democrats who
differ with them, are the most rascally of all
created politicians, and the most infamous OF
all renegades. Particularly in this State
are they disposed t. abuse every Democrat
who will not support the Pierce Administra-
ton on the Nebraska issue. They claim to
be true, consistent, "old line" Democrats, in
supporting this Nebraska swindle, and charge
Inconsistency and treason upon those Demo-
Gratis who dare think for themselves and pro.
nounce against the Nebraska fraud. Now
we choose to discuss this matter little, and
ascertain if those Democrats who oppose the
Nebraska Bill are not gre at deal more con.
sistent than some Of the sold liners" who
advocate the bill, and thus uphold the exten.
sion OF slavery into new territories, and where
by solemn compact, it had before been utter.
ly prohbited-and in this we shall avail our.
selves in part of the industry Of others.
In lS4S and '49, the Democratic party of
Indiana occupied precisely opposite posi-.
ton on this slavery extension question 10
what the sold line" or machine Democrats.
do in 1854. In another phase, those Demo.
Gratis who are now opposing the Nebraska
Bill, occupy precisely the position they did
as Democrats five or six years ago! AS
Chapman says, these "old liners" are rene.
gades, not only from the true principles of
the Democratic party, but also from the best
interests of that section of country to which
they belong.
1t will be recollected by many of our re ad.
ers that the Indiana Legislature of ls4s. had
an U. 5. Senator to elect, and at the same
time the slavery question was being agitated,
in its application to California and New
Mexico. The Democratic party in Indiana
were opposed most bitterly to the extension
of slavery, and had determined TO elect no
man to the U. s. Senate, unless he were per.
fectly sound on the slavery question, that is.
unles he opposed the extensisn of slavery.
and believed that Congress had the power to
prohibit slavery in territories. To ascertain
the views of prominent Democrats whose
names had been mentioned for the office. the
following letter was addressed to those ne,.
sons:
SENATE CHAMBER, Dec. 9, ls4s.
DEAR SIR:-As much interest is felt bv
our constituents on the subject of slavery ex.
clusion in the newly acquired territories If
New Mexico and California, and as Won are
spoken of as candidate for United States
Senator, we take the liberty of propounding
to you the following questions:
l. Do you believe that Congress possesses
the power, under the Constitution, to prohi-
bit slavery in said territories!
2. Willyou, if elected to the United States
Senate, use your influence and vote for the
passage OF an act prohibiting slavery in Mex
leo and California!
An early answer is requested.
Respectfully, JAS. p. MILLIKEN.
GEO. EVANS,
WIN. CARVER,
LOT DAY,
ID. MlLLIGAN,