Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-12-07
T5e Trae Platform.

Der of the committee resolutions in the Buffalo
convention of lS4S, had more to do than any
other man, with the framing of the platform on
which the Free Democracy of the country went
into the Presidential contest of that year. This
man was SALMON P. CHASE, the standard-bearer
of the Republicans and true Americans" of
Ohio, at the late gubelnatorial contest in that
State Associated with his name on the ticket,
was that of the gallant THOMAS II. FoRD, who,
in concert with Henry Wilson ofMassachusetts,
led the van Of freedom in the bolt at Philadel-
phia.
These two first named genile,nea. it is well
tenant Governor Of that State, at convention
held at Columbus on the 18th of July last, the
anniversary of the passage of the ordinance Of
1887. The platform laid down by that body,
which put Chase and Ford upon it, as the expo
nents of the principles of the Republican party
of Ohio, was identical with that laid down by the
Republicans sf Massachusetts,, at their eonYen
ton held here on the 10Th of September. The
friends of Republican principles, without regard
to old party connections, went into the contest in
that State, united on the single issue Of opposi-
ton to the slave power, thus presented, and came
out of it g'oriously victorious.
As an illustration Of the real position occupied
BY Governor Chase and Lieut.. Governor Ford, We
have already given an extract from the speech Of
the former, made at the late Republican rati6ca-
ton meeting in Columbus; and stated the fact
that the influence and vote of the latter were Civ
en-, in the late Cincinnati Convention, in favor Of
the minority platform reported by Spooner, which
entirely discarded saGtirisn1, or prescription on
account of birthplace and was identical il senti-
msnt with the views advanced BY GoT. Chase him
self in his speeches. In order to afford our read.
ers still more complete idea Of what are the
constituent clements Of True PATFoRx Of
principles, on which to wage the most efficient
warfare in the present conflict with the Slave
power; we publish the following extract from the
speech of Gov. Chase, delivered during the re-
cent canvass in Ohio, at great Republican mass
Meeting held in Cincinnati, on the 2lst Of Au-
gust last AT this meeting, Lieut. Gov. Ford at
tended and spoke, responding to the noble senti-
nents expressed by his distinguished coadiutor
on the GubernatOrial ticket. Gov. Chase said.
speaking of the American party:
"The American party sprang suddenly into
being. Old organizations disappeared before
its triumphant march. In the Free States, it
took the side Of freedom; and the election Of
an entire anti-Nebraska delegation in Ohio.
and the return Of such men as Wilson and
Hale to the Senate of the United States, at
tested the realities of its sympathies. In the
Slave States on the other hand, it assumed
the championship of slavery and Of slavery
extension. For one / greatly feared, and
know my apprehensions were shared by many
enlightened and patriotic members of the or
ganization, that when its representatives from
Slave States and Free States should meet in
National Convention, the Slave State men,
oers would succeed as they have heretofore
succeeded IN similar conventions of other Do
htlcal parties, in securing the adoption of a
pro-slayery platform. and the nomination of
Pre-, slavery eandidates. aid that 49, Fec
ot3te members would acquIeSce. Ibis fear of
mine-these apprehensions of others were
realized in part. An American National Con-
yention, as we all know, did assemble in Phil
adelphia. The Slave State members did sue
coed 10 securing the adoption of pro-slavery
platform. But-and l devoutly thank God
for 1.-THE Free State members DID NOT Ac-
oUIEscE. The bold and true hearted gentle.
man-whose name is associated with mine on
our State ticket, and who viii soon speak for
himself to you--( cheers) lied the van Of free
dom in denouncing the platform, and called
upon his associates from the Free States to
rally to the rescue of Freedom. Cheers
From that hour hope revived. The action Of
the intrepid Ford and his fearless associates
demonstrated the existence of quality, sup.
posed to have become neorly extinct in North
ern men-I mean back bone Loud applause. i
And when my friend and his brother delegates
came home to Ohio and declared their concur
renee in the purpose already ayowea by the
Cleveland State Council-to unite In open
Convention with all who were willing to unite
with them for freedom and reform, felt thai
there was but one couree for me and those
who felt as | did, the paramount imporianc,
of these objects, to meet this generous and
patriotic movement half way, and, laying
aside every jealousy and every prejudice, %
into the convention frankly and sincerely, and
honestly abide the result. We did so, and the
result is before the people in the platform and
ticket of the 18th Of July.
For myself, owe no allegiance to any 9TH
er than the Republican organization. l am
not member of any other. prescribe nc
man. The rights of all my fellow citizens
native or naturaIized. are as dear to me as nv
own. For my associates on the State ticket
dare vouca also that they are governed BY
no narrow OF proscnptive ideas Some o.
them-perhaps all of them--are members Of
the American organization, but they repre-
sent not the bigoted and proscriptiye spirit
which can see no worth in any man born
upon foreign soil, and whose blind fanaticisno
seeks its ends, even through violence and
bloodshcd; but that liberal Amerieauism
which makes principles and character. and
not birthplace, the test of qualification for
citizenship, and which proposes to sceordfr
~ to all, wherever born, who are in hear
Americans, all the privileges Of American
citizens"
In striking contrast with the position here as
stunned, was that taken by the majority at the LAT,
cincinn att Convention, which refused, by vo.,
OF se toll, TO cooperate with any body Of mer
TO advance the cause of freedom, unless they
make the prescription Of large class of then
fellow men. on account Of their birth or creed
the corner stone Of their platform. No true mar
could be expected to make himself so ridiculous.
ly inconsistent, as to assent to any such condi
ton, whether 1t be asked Of him by convention
Of dOughfaces in Cincinnati, OF a conclaye o
Gardnerites in Massachusetts.
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