The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-06-09
The Democracy nnd the crisis.

There appears to be disposition in some
quarters, says the New York Tribune 20 clear
the ranks of the Democratic party of all who
are opposed to Douglas & Co.'s plans to extend
Slavery. To be deemed orthodox, men pro-
Tossing the Democratic creed are expected not
only to swallow the Nebraska and Kansas bills,
but they must favor the establishment of Slave
ry in those Territories; and if need be, they
must sustain Stringfcllow and his associates in
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 time when this sort Of
dictaton might possibly have been submitted
to. Party men formerly took measures upon
trust. took them as furnished by persons occu-
plying prominent position in public life. But
all that is bravely changed. There is a dispO-
sition to examine political measures, to canvass
the acts of public men. The rank and file have
become, to a considerable extent Independent;
they do their own thinking and vote. as they
should do. as their own sense Of duty may die
tate.
1t is too late in the day to make Pro Slavery
men of the entire body of the Democratic party.
Thousands of its members were opposed to the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and have no
sympathy or fellowship with Douglas & Co.
They are not in favor of planting Slavery in
Kansas, and they will not hesitate TO SO de-
clare their sentiments when the time for action
comes. AS an evidence of the correctness Of
these views, we publish the annexed paragraph
from letter written a few days since by Mar
| tin F. Conway, recently of Baltimore, but now
member elect of the Legislature of Kan sas.
Referring to the mcn who arc endeavoring to
make Slavery extension an article in the Demo
cratic creed, he says:
IL have strong confidence that it will not be
long before the Democratic party will cast from
its bosom and crush to humiliation this crew
of traitors who are now maigning its charac-
ter, plotting against its integrity and power,
and Matching treason to the country. 1t is GER
tain that the Democratic party will not be I'M
mindful of itself or of them. They arc seeking
nothing less than to divest it of its originpl
characteristics, divert it from its original aims
and start it upon 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 disor-
ganizc and dissolve it. The ARE no Ion ger true
to its principles; they no longer respect the au-
thOrity of its illustriOus names. Thus the most
violent projects, totally incompatible with the
law and the Constitution, and destructive OF
the peace of society and the pcrmancncy of our
| common Union. arc audaciously attempted to
be carried out. The rights OF men arc invaded
without scruple-the rights of free white male
citizens stricken out without word. The law
is set at defiance-thc Constitution utterly dis
regarded and sneered at. Thus also the prn-
ciples and counsels Of Jefferson, Madison, and
their great compensate fathers of Republi-
can frcedOm--are scofled at and trampled I'M
der foot. Slavery is elevated to the dignity of
dlvinely ordained institution, in order solely
to bring the owners of slaves to the support of
intrigue and ambition. Proposals are unblush-
lngly made, from the same motive, to reopen
the African s.avc-trade, and arguments are
manufactured to prove its consistency with the
ends of Divine Providence. Look. and be not
deceived! This is the sort of business in which
these people are now engaged. Sectionalism
first-disunion afterwards-and then in all
probability the acquisition to their Southern
empire OF new territory along the Southern
line to extend the possessions and swell the
power of these unprincipled men. This is the
peridious programme. Perish the law the
Constitution, the Republic, to fill the measure
Of rank ambition
After this. will any body tell us that the Dem
ocratic party of the free Sta es is not dead
and buried concern, so far as national politics
are concerned?