The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-28
Lyman ". Hall, Esq.
STATE MASS CONVENTION.
To the People of Ohio:
CINCINNATI, June Is, 1855.

To the People Of Ohio:
1t is known that two political parties are
now in active existence in this countryside
Old Line Democratic, and the Know Nothing,
or American, parties. Of these, the Democratic
party still abides by its old Baltimore Platform,
procuring or wlnking at all the aggressions OF
the Slave Power, while it denounces and oppo-
ses all resistance from freemen and has, more
over, plunged the State of Ohio into more
grievous and unjust system of taxation than
has heretofore been endured in this country. or
perhaps any other and has brought such 9th
er political evils upon us as call loudly for re-
dress.
The Know Nothing party, at its first National
Convention, established power within its
bosom, which could at least be interpreted to
ignore the great question of Freedom while
at Its second and late National Assembly it has
ranged itself Enthusiastically and by large ma
jority on the side of Slavery The State Con-
yention of Ohio, however, has adopted a Plat
form which is usually considered Anti-Slavery,
but which IS believed to be equivocal by many
honest and thinking men. Also, large and
respectable minority have withdrawn from the
National Convention on account of its ProSla-
very action.
Now, the Delegate Convention, which has
been called to meet at Columbus on the 9th of
July next, will in all probability be composed,
to great extent, of men who have heretofore
acted and many of whom are still connected
with one or the other of these parties We
hope and believe that such delegates will at
tend the Convention unfettered by their party
ties, and will absolve themselves from whatever
may be antagonistic to Freedom in those or
CARNATIONS, being urged by multitude of
noble and true men from all quarters of the
Statp. who ct hot % vio,i &c fba
price of liberty"
We therefore call upon all who demand that
the National Government shall undo the evil of
the Nebraska iniquity-redress the election out
RACES upon Kansas, by taking vigorous measures
to prevent the recurrence of such lawless
wrongs-refuse the admission of any more Slave
States or Slave Territory into the Union-abol-
ish Slavery in all the National Territories and
In the District of Columbia-and repeal the in
famous Fugitive Slave Act, and make no more
compromises in favor of Slavery-all who be-
heve State Rights paramount to the authority
OF the General Government, unless surrendered
by terms expressed in the Constitution-we call
upon all such, without regard to the parties with
which they may have been Unidentified, to meet in
MASS CONVENTION, at COLUMBUS,
On the 1871 day Of July, 1855,
to give encouragement to the Delegate Conven.
ton, and to endorse its action in such way as
to insure its triumphant success at the polls, il
it shall act in relation to Freedom as noby as
we anticipate; but, if it should unexpectedly
make the live questions of Liberty subservient
to different purposes, then to adopt such Plat
form and nominate such Ticket as will not be
unworthy of the third State and first champion
of Freedom in the American Union.
1t gives us pleasure to be able to assure the
people that CHARLES SUMNER, of Massachusetts,
now travelling in the West, will be present, and
address the Mass Convention. We hope for the
presence, also, of other distinguished advocates
of the cause of Freedom.
J. H. COULTER, Chairman,
JAS. M. WEsTwATER,
ADAMS JEwETT,
State Central Committee o fthe Iadepend-
ent Democracy Of Ohio.