Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-06-05
The Democracy and the Crisis.

| lncre appears 10 De disposition in
some quarters 10 clear the ranks of the
Democratic party Of all who are oppo.
sed to Douglas q Co.'S plans to extend
Slavery. To be deemed orthodox, men
protesting the Democratic creed are ex.
pected not only to swallow the Nebras.
ka and Kansas bills, but they must favor
the establishment Of Slavery in those
Territories and if need be, they must
sustain Stringlc!low and his associates
in their high.handed measure to convert
Kansas into Slave State. In word.
they must lend themselves body and
soul to the Slave Power, and obey its
orders whatever they may be.
Now, there has been a time when
this sort of dictation might possibly
have been submitted to. Party men
formerly took measures upon trust, took
them as furnished by persons occupying
prominent position in public life
But all that is bravely charged. There
is disposition to examine political
measures, to canvass the acts of public
men. The rank and file have became,
10 a considerable extent independent,
they do their own thinking and vote, as
they should do as their sense of duty
may dictate.
1t is too late in the day 10 make Pro.
Slavery men of the entire body of the
Democratic party. Thousands of its
members were opposed TO the repeal of
the Missouri Compromises, and nave no
sympathy or fellowship with Douglas
d Co. They are not in favor of plan.
ting Slavery in Kansas, and they will
not hesitate to so declare their sen.
timents when the time for action comes.
AS an evidence Of the correctness of these
views, we publish the annexed paragraph
from letter written few days since by
Martin f. Conway, recently of Bulti.
more, but now member elect Of the
Legislature of Kansas. Referring to the
men who are endeavorins TO make Slave
ry extension an article in the the DEM
ocatic creed, he says:
81 have strong confidence that it will
not be long before the Democratic party
will cast from its bosom and crush to an.
Inhalation this crew of traitors who arc
now maligning its character, plotting
against its integrity and power, and
Matching treason to the country. 1t is
certain that the Democratic party will
not be mindful of itself or Of them
They are seeking nothing less than to
dvest it Of its original characteristics,
divert it from its original aims, and start
itupon new and dangerous paths. They
are trying to convert it into an engine by
which to accomplish their own desperate
and corrupt schemes; or, failing in this,
to- disorganize and dissolve. They are
no longer true to its principles; they no
longer respect the authorities o its illus.
trious names. Thus the most violent
projects, totally incompatible with the
law and the Constitution, and destruc.
tive Of the peace Of society and the per.
manency OF our common Union, are au.
daciously attempted to be carried OUT
The rights of men are invaded without
scruple-the rights Of free white male
citizens stricken down without word.
The law is set at defiance--the Consti.
tuition utterly disregarded and sneered
at: Thus also the principles and coun.
sells OF Jefferson, Madison, and their great
compeers-the fathers of Republican
freedom--are scofTed at and trampIed
under foot Slavery is elevated to the
dignity Of divinely. ordained insti,u.
tion, in order solely to bring the owners
of slaves 10 the support Of intrigue and
ambition. Proposals are unbIushingly
made, from the same motive, to reopen
the African slave.trade, and arguments
are manufactured to prove its consi stem.
cy with the ends Of Divine Providence.
Look, and be not deceived! This is tho
sort OF business in which these people
are now engaged. Sectionalism first
disunion altefwards-and then in all
probability the acquisition to their
Southern empire Of new territory along
the Southern line TO extend tho posses.
sions and swell the power. Of these un.
princiPled men. This is the perfidious
programme. Perish the law, the Con.
stitution, the Republic, to fiji the inaa.
tiate measure Of rank ambition"