Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1855-08-07
AmerIennism.-What Is ia

as the American party contended for pr'nci-
pies american principles, SO long can we
cheerfully and honestly at with it It is
only when, prnpples are laid aside. and
prejudice is substituted, that we beg leave
to sever our connection, for the time being.
We do not wish to be understood, at this
time, as saying that we are not acting with
the American Party; but simply to repudi
ate the movement attempted in Cincinnati
and elsewhere, to nominate separate State
Ticket, to be supported at the next election,
in opposition to the Republican nominations.
What is Amercanism? What great lead
ing idea distinguishes America from all 9th
er nations on the face of the earth? We
answer it is FREEDoM-LIBERTY-- -
SELF GOVERNMENT. This is the very
foundation-the essence--the embodiment
of Americanism. What, then, is the oppo-
site principle--the Anti-American princi-
pie? SLAVERY-DESPO rISM-TYR
AMY. Other questions - incidental
questions of great Importance arise; as, for
instance, the policy best calculated to pro-
mote our national wealth, prosperity, and
happiness. All these questions must be
considered, discussed and adopted. But,
after all--no matter how important these
questions may be, thew are but incidental to
the great leading, all-absorbing idea Of
Freedom
Freedom, being, therefore, the fundamen-
tal - the distinguishing idea of American
ism, what is the first duty of the American
party? In portion Of our confederacy
SLAVERY exists as local institution 1t ex'
listed before the formation ofthe government
and the power to abolish it, or to meddlt
with it was never delegated to the Genera
Government. That power belongs to tht
States where it exists, and with those State!
rest all the responsibility Cor the continu
ance of the curse. The American party
has no right to meddle it, and do no
propose to do So This is, and Of righ
ought TO be considered the erception to tn,
general rule that Freedom shall prevail il
America. But then, another question pre-
sents itsef. On the west, on the south, OF
the north are vast territories yet unorgani
zed yet unsettled yet under the exclu
sive control of the General Government
Shall SLAVERY curse those rritories
Shall despotism be extended all over the Amer
can continent, except where freedom nov
exists? Shall slavery become the rule ant
Freedom the exception? Shall our Ameri
can government foster, encourage, and sus
tain slavery in preference to liberty? Thi
is the question now before the Americal
/ people.
!, The question must be met and settled
and that speedily. Many years ago Amer
leans compromised with their opponents
agreeing that Missouri should be admitte
as Slave State, provided that SLAYER
was forever prohibited north of a certain lin
, all territory north Of that line being b
this solemn act forever consecrated to Free
: dom. The Americans kept their faith
performed their part Of the contract, how
i ever reluctantly. For quarter Of cent?
ry that faith was kept by our opponents
| just so long as it suited their purpose to kee
3 it. Since that compromise was made, th
Anti-Americans have become insolent
| their demands. Concession after concessio
has been made by Americans, until at la'
the Slave Power has become perfectly ur
scrupulous has violated its own solem
j compact, and decreed that Slavery shall b
extended over the territory once consecrate
= to Freedom. Not only SO, but they hav
sent armed desperadoes to trample on tn
: dearest rights of all who oppose them in the
aggressive work.
= What, now, is the duty Of Americans
8 all men who love liberty and hate desp'
tism? Can any american any low
Of Liberty sanction the acts of the Sla'
= Power, and vote to sustain such aggre
sons? We believe no member of the Anne
4 can party proposes to do SO.
Y Whit then? The free people Of Ohio r.
l. Gently met in Convention at Columbus an
l. nominated State ticket, composed entireI
e Of men who represent this great Americ'
h idea--who favor legal and constitutional =
IT sistance to these acts of aggression. Wing
J, Democrats, Free Sellers, Know Nothing
% and Sag NIGHTS wer there. On allmin'
If questions of policy or preference they agree
n to disagree--to say nothing at present, an
n TO unite upon this one great question
y Feedtns TO show, by their votes that Oh
e. represents this great American idea beyor
y all question. Minor questions Of state al
A. national policy might be settled at their pro
is er place; but this great question of Freedo
t? must be settled, SO far as Ohio is conccrn'
.