The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-10-07
The Chicago Press.

As a news and commercial paper we have
always regarded the Chicago Press as one of
the best papers in the west, and for a while
after ii was started we used TO swear by it
politically. Its editors planted themselves
on the high ground Of the constitution and
the Baltimore platform, proicsscd TO con
tenn aboli,ionism and Euilalo-platiorm-fr free
soilism, and TO advocate the doctrine of nom
Intervention 10y congress on the subject Of
slavery in the territories But the demo
cratic party was then sailing in calm waters;
its enemies al been routed and scattered /;
and it was much more profitable to belong to
the conqucrinS than to the routed party
which its editors had just deserted. We
had a quiet suspicion that when 1.-The time
came around again to put some of the prin-
ciplcs of the democratic party to a severe
test, and the almighty dollar would incline
the scale in another direction, our gallant
knights, who bucl>lcd on the sword so vail.
emily to fight for democratic principles,
! would follow their former instincts, and find
the weight Of argument once more on the
other side. We think we were not mistai1.
en- in our apprchcnsions. For democratic
paper the Press has certainly for several
months past pursued very singular course.
While some well meaning democrats from
very erroneous yicp Of what constitute the
principles Of the democratic party, we think
Lave regretted the action of Judge Douglas
AMI the great lights Of our party in the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise, the Press has
pitched into their abuse con aaOye, and no,
Ike one who performed painful duty I'm.
Willingly. This is sufficient in all consci
cncc to excite a just suspicion Of party in,
fidelity. Nevertheless, the Press stoutly
processes its adhesion to the great principles
Of the democratic patty, and gives in it,
/ hearty adhesion to the following resolution
Of the Cook county democratic convention
! Resolved, That, as Democrats, we adhere
! firmly to the great landmarks Of the part,
! as laid down by the Baltimore Convention
Of So, and supported uniformly 10y the par
| ty since the days of Jefferson.
Now the democracy Of this congressional
| district, at the Bloomington convention, die
resolve, and We heartily approve their actor
that they would recognize al democrats a
good and true, who stood upon the Balti
moro platform of ls5.," aud acknowledge,
their right to entertain their own views Of
now or side issues.
1t becomes an interesting question thtl
is the Chicago Press a democratic paper
good and true according TO the resolve O
the democracy Of this district? We bclicy
the Baltimore platform contains snmuthin
that looks like approval Of the conpromis
measures of 1850, the fugitive slave law in
Guided. We believe, also, the Chicago Pres
bore for several weeks at its mast head
the name of Dr.. John Evans as its first choic
Tor congress, and endorsed his democracy
Now we saw published with appreciation /
the Press letter from this DR.. John Evan,
addressed TO the Hon. W. L. Plato, in whic
letter he gave the following confession Of hi
political faith
1st: That ifclccted he would cndcayor t
procure a congressional prohibition Of slave
ry in the territories Of the United States. o.
ID: That he would cndcyor to procure tn
abolition ofslavcry in the District Of Coluu
bia. Sd That he would vote against Ia
admission in the Union Of any more slay
States; and 4th That lac was in favor {
amending the law for the arrest Of fugitive
so rs to secure TO the fugitive slave a trial b
jury at the place of his apprehension, and il
case such amendment could not be made
rather than retain the law in lis present form
he would vote for its entire repeal,
For the present We will drop this interest
Ing inquiry with the question in its view.
Of the intent and meaning Of the Ealtimor
resolutions Of 1852, docs the Press rcgar
/ the above confession of political faith as cor
sistent with those rcsolution.?