Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-06

| arose from no exigency, it was founded in no
imperative necessity, it was no offspring of
popular demand. Its paternity was ambition,
not craftsmanship its sanction was weakness,
not wisdom its results violence and discord,
instead of peace and quietness
The democracy of New-York arc anxious
and willing to stand by all the compromises
of the constitution" But they believe that in
| Strument to have been adopted for the protec-
, tion and diffusion of freedom, quite as much as
for that of slavery and when they see its pro-
visions wreSted to the advancement of the lat
| ter-when they see the faith and practice Of
the democratic fathers repudated and new
principles engrafted upon their creed-when
they find a determination evinccd to turn the
democratic party into mere "hewerS of wood
and drawers of water for the propagandists of
Slavery-when they see that institution extend
ing itself into the free states, and under color
OF federal jurisdiction, claiming to hold its vie
tins wherever it shall please the master TO car
ry them-we may well pause and inquire to
what consequences, both to ourselves and
children, rs well as 10 the character and inSti-
tutonS Of our country, these proceedings are
tending. ..-.... .
The democrats of New-Y York are loyal to the
constitution and to the ust rights of their
southern brethren but when they see wrong
and outrage perpetrated without rebuke-when
they witness the whole power of the govern.
ment called into requiStiOn to deliver over one
poor fugitive into bondage and 10 this end,
what should be the temple of justice, surround
ed by an armed soldicry ready to stay any guSh
ing OF popular sympathy with lead in the
morning and steel at nght'-when they be-
hold citizen of u free state, without indict-
ment without trial, without conviction, con-
signed to prison upon the mere ipSe dirt OF a
federal judge-when they mark the admnstra-
ton of their choice as wholly devoted to slave
ry rs ever Athens was to idolatry-when they
see that the arm of federal power is only pal
sled in the defence Of frecdom-it is not to be
wondered at if they should hesitate longer to
give couutcnance TO Such eYentnalitics, or sup
port to those by whom they are produced.
1t is q conviction of the truth of these lam
tntable facts which unnerveS the sterling de-
moCracy Of IIerkimer and St. Lawrence, of
Delaware and Steubcn, and makes them look
around for means by which they may be dives
ted of responsibility for this prostration of de
mocratic principle. Nor is this feeling confin-
ed to the strong democratic counties we have
named. 1t pervadcS the masses throughout
the state, and though interested partisans may
affect to control it though there may be no
upheavings of popular discomfort though they
may be reluctant TO break old associations, and
suspicious of forming new ones, the feeling of
irritation and discomfort is too apparent not to
be visible to the most casual observer.
Hence we say to the Washington Union, in
all sincerity, that if it wishes New-York to
stand upon the right side ia 1896, it must
T., Of TO
make 4 platform upon the slavery question
which shall he acceptable to Virginia, South
Carolina and Mississippi; it must cease to up
hold The doctrine that southern men may adopt
the most ultra resolutions in favor of slavery,
and be cmineutly national and democratic,
while it oStracSes northern democrats for adopt
ing resolutions in favor of freedom and against
the spread Of the peculiar institution - it
must rcpGdlate the OutrageS aud violence by
which the elective franchise has been rendered
a moCkery in Kansas and the administration
which we have aided to elect must show a
stronger devotion to freedom, more vigorous
determination to enforce the right, and eviuce
conviction that northern men are not all
slaves and parasites OF power, before there can
he any wellgrpunded hope that the democrats
of this state viii be found acting harmonouSly
with their brethren in other states, under the
present party organization, in 1886. The
principles of the Kansas bill may DO as plat
form in some localities but unless those prin-
ciples are developed in more pleasing aspect
than they have vet furnished, it will require
much of amplitude and beneiicent operation
before it can be made into platform that will
answer for the democracy of New-YOrk