The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-09-22

ply, to earnest requests made to charge and
fight the foe. At length the time Of action
came. The charge was given, and victory
percbed upon the standard of England
Hunts Merchants Magazine.
The Douglas Nindication Meeting on FRI
! day Night--The Lesson which should
! be learned from il!
! The almost unanimous expression Of public
opinion, upon Saturday and yesterday, was
one of unminged satisfaction, delight, and
qualification at the glorious defeat Of the at
tempt of Senator Douglas to vindcate him
self against the Charges of treachery to his
constituents, and to compel them to endorse
that treachery. The fair fame and honor Of
our city had been preserved; the sentiments
of our citizens asserted and defended the
boast of Douglass and his cabal that he would
whip US into submission falsifed; the traitor
himself iepudiated al cast off in the most
indignant and decided manner; and an impe-
tus given to the Liberty Party of the State,
which will carry it on TO victory, and which
will be felt all over the Union. Wherever
the news Of the meeting goes, it will carry
Joy and strength 10 the hearts OF the lovers Of
freedom, and disInay and panic into the ranks
of the sleveocracy. The affair was in every
respect, most remarkable and a momentous
occurrence. Its real moment may not be
seen in its full light, but the more it is studied
the more does its vital Importance grow upon
US. 1t is very evident that Douglas, him
self, regarded an endorsement of his acts, BY
the people oe Chicago, as matter OF the
highest moment. He saw, more plainly, per-
haIs, than any other person, that if he could
carry Chicago, he could carry the State of
Illinois for Slavery, and that her decision upon
that question, would exercise tremendous
influence all over the Northwest. If his
damuable doctrines of slavery propagandsm
enforced and maintained by himself, were re-
pudiated by Chicago he felt that the State
would follow her example, and that the day of
his political power would speedily end in an
ignominous and inglorous night.
Therefore, he spared nothing to accomplish
his design. By his emssaries here for months
past, and in his own person for the last ten
days, had he labored for its success. He
brought to bear upon it all his political skill
and power, acquired during an active political
life of many years. The diplomacy and the
Intriguing, the buying and selling, the bully
ing and coaxing which he had used in push
ing the Nebraska Bill through Congress, he
put in motion in Chicago, to secure her appro-
baton of that bill, and other kindred meas
ures. 1t was in vain. The PEOPLE WERE
INcoRRUPTIBLE. Weapons which members of
Congress, and of the Senate of the United
States, could not withstand, fell powerless at
the feet of u body of people, animated with
love of truth and justice, and burning with
hatred of political talsehood, treachery and
wrong. The great heart of the people is
right; it was appealed to on Friday night, and
il pronounced righteous decision. The trail
tor was repudated, and the right was vind-
Gated.
Had one foreigner or native, who enter
tains doubt of the perpetuity of our Repubi-
can Institutions, and Of the stability of our
form of government, been present at the
meeting on Friday night, he would have gone
away convinced that the Republic of the Uni !
ted States was founded on a rock, and that the !
gates of hell can never prevail against it,
We have never felt SO proud and SO secure of
our country as we did at the close Of that |
meeting We have never felt so much con-
idence in the PEOPLE, in whose hands and !
hearts the destnies Of America rests, as we
do now in contemplating its result. 1t was
u confirmation of our dearest hopes; dissipa- !
ton of our most anxious fears. The right of
the people to control thqir representatives,
and to compel them to observe their wishes,
was re-affirmed, and the absurd doctrine that |
u representative is the master and not the |
servant of his constituents, blown to the four
winds.
There are two lessons to be learned from
this event, one for the people, the other for
the politicians. 1t will be well for both class
es to lay them to their souls, and ponder them
in their hearts.
The people, then, should learn from it that
they are aLl-powertM. This is, indeed, the
principle of our government, but
it is too apt to be lost sight of beneath tho
clouds of political dust which demagogues are
continually raising. They have, in the NEE
ting of Friday night, striking illustration OF
the truth of this principle. One OF their SER
wants, a man who had deceived, betrayed, mis-
and insulted them, appeared be-
fore them and attempted to compel them to
bow down before him, and acknowledge that
he was right, and they were wrong; that he
was the master and they the servants. They
refused to do so; humbled his pride; showed
him his true position; expressed their indig-
nation at this misconduct, and prostrated him
in the dust. They should also learn, or rath-
er recolect, that as they are all-poweriul,
they should depend upon themselves; think
for lhemsel, es; reason for themselves; act
for themselves. It has long been. boast Of