The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-12-19
THE PL4TFOn M-rDUTY OF DEM.
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THE PLarFonM-iDUrr OF DEM
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We hope our teaHefs will carefully
.Pefdss the resolutions adopted by the
Democratic Convention winch assem-
bled in this place on Saturday last. We
were opposed TO the adoption ola Plat:
form in advance of the meeting of the
State Convention, but the Convention
thorght otherwise and we are not dispo.
sed to find fault with the decision. The
Platform adopted, it seems to us, ought
to satisfy every Democrat, no matter
Whatahis peculiar views may have been
heretofore We like tive endorse it.
We helped make tit is cur Platform
and we cheerfully take our stand upon
it. 1t is mild in its language, and yet
a wayfaring man though a fool" can
not be in doubt as to its meaning. The
first resolution declares that the Democ-
racy ofthis County look upon slavery as
an evil, and that they are willing
to use all Constitutional means to pre-
vent its extension. Can any man ask
morei Are we to use unconstitutional
means to prevent its extension? Most
assuredly not. The second resolution
favors the doctrine of popular Sovereign
tys Can any Democrat 6nd fault with
this? Why we as a party endorsed the
doctrine as far back IS IS4S, and re-af-
irmed it in 1852. It is as old as the
government, and when fairly and honest
ly carried out cannot but result in favor
OF, freedom. The Territories are the
common prepertysof the country then
why not permitthe people that settle
them determine for themselves what
their domestic institutions shall be?
The third resolution opposes all section
al parties. and denounces all efforts to
destroy the nationality of the Dem
ocratic party. What Democrat does
not saysamen to that? IF we thought
there was n within the limits of the
County who did not approve of the SEN
timent, We would advise him to take
up his abode with the Aboiitiopists.
The fourth and fifth resolutions openly
denounce the proscriptive doctrines of
the so-called american party, and
pledge the Democracy of this County to
upmending hostility to the secret order
of Know N othings. About the correct
ness of these resolutions there can be no
difference of opinion. Il has, been the
settled policy Of the Democratic party
from the days of Jefferson down to the
present time, to. welcome to our shores
the oppressed of every cline, and to per-
NIT them to enjoy equal privileges with
the native born citizen. Dare our OPP
ponents make as open and explicit a
declaration of hostility to Know Moth
ingism as we have !? They must now
either denounce the proscriptive Order,
or be held up to the world as sympathi-
sing with it. Which horn, gentlemen
Fellow Democrats, there is our Plat
form. What say you? Shall we take
our stand upon it and present a bold
front to the enemy, or shall We listen t.
the eounsels of those who desiIe to tenn
porIze and dodge the real live issue be.
fore the people? Mol Let us boldly
take issue with the opposition. M
more lodging, or listening to those who
talk about .he po1icyof pursuing this OF
that course. Zheright IS al10Sys .eIpe
dienta5L Let us trust to the virtue and
Intelligence of the people, and a sure
and brilliant TRUMP awaits us.