, 1854-09-02
The Pittsburgh PlatfOrm.---
Free Soil Address.---ResOlu-
tiOns, SC,

and resolution of the so-called free soil
convention, assembled in Olympia August
10Th, by way Of rehersal:
"WHEREAs, The action of Congress, for
series of years, appears to be in effect, to
extend the evil and unjust influence of
the institution of slavery over the entire
territory Of this republic, and moreover,
enacting laws by which to compel citi-
zens of free states to participate in the
pursuit of fugitive slaves, in violation Of
our feelings and constitutional rights;
therefore
" ReSolrcd, That we, as free soilers of
Thurston County, W. r., do adopt the
" Pittsburgh Free Soil Platform of 1852"
which advocates the principles ffree men,
free labor, free speech, and free soil, and
repudiates any institution that tends in
theory or practice, to keep our fellow be-
ingS in ignorance, bondage or oppression"
Not knowing anything about the doc
trines laid down in the Pittsburgh Plat
form " alluded to in the above resolution,
we took an early occasion to request copy
Of it for publication, which was promised
Said platform was not in the possession
Of the convention at the time of its adop-
ton, and one of the members thereof was
honest enough to openly confess that he did
not know the ground occupied by it, and
requested its being produced; but it was
resOired to adopt it blind, and let all those in
ignorance, find out its provisions after
wards.
Said platform has not been furnished us
for publication as per agreement, and con-
sequently, not knowing, we have nothing to
say about it, further than TO express the
belief, from what information we have been
able TO gather concerning it, that the doc
trines inculcated are but an advancement,
and further abolition improvement, upon
the Buffalo platform of lS4S..
A very serious inquiry presents itself at
the present time, as to what ore tlR lines
of demarcation between the higher law, ,"
abolition, free soil, and kindred parties,
with which the nationally disbanded whig
party now seek to affiliate with their scat
tered fragments.
The objects of the crew Of vessel =
the rank and file Of an army, and all grand
divisions in political warfare, are but to be
determined by the Captains, Generals, and
leaders under whose banners they have en-
listed; and although there may be many
subordinates who would not willingly coun-
tenance many acts in which their leaders
might wish them 10 engage-though the
crew, rank and file, may be honest in the
conviction that some Of their leaders are
crong, how comparatively fei0 cases are
there recorded Of mutiny and insurrection.
Silence is the command Of the leaders when
rebellion is brewing, and obedience is expect
ed in return, no matter how nefarious the
object to be attained.
In looking abroad, we find the members
Of the selfstyled free soil-the abolition
and amalgamation parties of this Terrific
ry and of the country, by whatever name
they assume, to be something like the dis
sected n,of Col. Duncan, formerly rep
resentative in Congress from Ohio; on the
every entrail of which, from the heart to
the jumping OF place, was inscribed the
names that the different parties, taking its
initiative in the days of Alexander Hamil-
ton-"bearing all shapes and wearing many
Names" has assumed down to the present
time-federalism in the heart, and the Of
fensive oifal Of which was assigned to COM
mingle in a common recepticle for filth, as
signed the Abolition party.
In determining what are the doctrines
that the present abolition movement has in
view, it is necessary to fnd and probe the
cause of the present agitation, which can
be done but briefly.
Great Britain is the cradle Of the doc
trinc of abolitionism, and has melted and
inAamed the northern states almost into
open rebellion against those Of the south.
Underground railroads have been con-
structed, whereby the fugitive slaves of the
south might be induced to leave their mas
ters. and under British tutilage become in
corporated into regiments of British SOL
diers, ready then, at any time, to make an
onslaught, under foreign direction Joined
with the northern-against the southern
states.
England has been the nursery for the ag-
itation Of the abolition Of slavery, and any