The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-10-02
The Republican CSnvention in Mas
sachuscits---Tickc and Platform.

s'TbtcTHOI ut1uS 1stth WILL
Liem Gorctnor Simon Brown, OF Con-
cord.
.iHorneg Geacrai Hon. f. Rockwell
lIoar, Of Concord.
fuditor- Stephen H. Clifford OF nnxburv.
Treasurer -Thos. J. March, Of Waltham
We copy below the address and resolution,
of thi, Convention:
TO THE PEOPLE or MASSACHUSETTS,.
In all free countries, political principles
are represented hy political parties. II par
ties cease to represent living principles, they
become factions, injurious 10 the highest IN
tcrcst~ Of the State, if not fatal to lis life.
Fortunate il is for Republic, if It's citizens
are found to have enough of virtue, intclli-
goncc. and self-c0ntrol. to break the ties Of
associations, and the power Of nancs, and to
modify their political organizations to meet
the real political questions OF the hour. 4
happy omen is ii for our Republic, that the
parties OF the day are organizing upon the
principles Of the day, to meet the real issues
Of the day.
Slavery in It's national relations is the great
political question Of the times. Slavery in
the slave States, is a matter Of State control
for which We have no constitutional political
Responsibilities But an impcrious necessity
has made slavery i'll It's relations to the ma
ton and TO the free States, question Of
practical, immediate and paramount impor-
lance.
First.--lt is paramount question. Slay-
cry and freedom are Inconsistent with each
other. Slave labor and free labor cannot
cooperate. Slaves in this country havc.so
increased thar the number Of slaves now is
"a tt.ttf E,,
country at the time of the revolution. At
the regular and probable rate Of increase, in
eight, wears there viii be as many slaves As
there are inhabitants, bond and free together
A the adoption Of the Constitution there were
hut FIVE States which were practically slave
States. There are now fifteen. In LIS, All
the national territory was made free. In
/ so half Of It was left open to slavery. In
1854 the whole was left open to slavery
The experience OF the last few Years, and es-
peciallv the repeal Of the Missouri Compro-
mise. has cony ieced the most doubling that
Slavery IL aggressive; that the slave power,
If not repressed Viii advance, that If slavery
IL not prohibited il will prohibit freedom.
The slave power controls every department.
of the Government. The question Is not
the abolition of slavery, but the existence of
freedom, not whether slavery vii he tolcra-
ted Ill the territories, but whether there shall
Ne fooJhold for freedom. Either slavery
oI freedom mast be dominant In this Hepub-
llc. The Republic itself must be either a
free power Or a slave power IN the family Of
nations
second. II is political question. Il Is
40 longer question Of mere ethics, or Of
political abstraction. II entails political
contest, which may last through this genera
IiUn. 1t is contest which must be fought
1t the polls. Slavery is to be repealed, and
freedom made national, by putting INTO ex
'cutve Office men who viii be faithful to
freedom We must send To Congress men
yho will be faithful To freedom We must
il the vacancies in the Judiciary with men
who viii be- faithful to freedom. Not only
70, but such apfepondencc Of political power
must be established. that they may BE- kept
faithful. Legislation for freedom is required
n the State rs well rs in the national govern
nents These ends can be secured only
IS political means, ~ united action Of men
yho think ana feel alike IN short, by the
regular republican method OF ii political
1Jrty
Third. The ends are practicable. The
rec States have the vast prepondcrance in
numbers, education, arts, sciences, manufac-
urcS. commerce, wealth and business. Why
should lher millions stand in the relation of
political thraldom to an obligarehy Of less
han half a million OF men who WELD the
powers Of slavery It is not Iii that we bear
The shame longer.
Fourth.-lhe state Of other political ques-
irons is favorable to this movement. The
Wing party, formed on the idea Of resistance
10 the increased executive power, adopting
from time to time positions on the financial
questions OF the day. questions which are
now settled or passed by, can 10 longer be
said 70 exist Is q political power III the ma
tion. No hope can be entertained at present
lhat the democratic party Viii be faithful on
ih, issue, or that faithful men can net ELECT
uaiy through il III our cause. The question
Of social reform. the problem OF restrictive
legislation III favor OF temperance, and the
question Of foreign and native influence in
the affairs Of the nation, are felt even BY the
greater part Of those most Interested in them.
% present no Just obstacle 10 united action
hcre. Everywhere are indications Of an up
rlSing ot tho mind and heart of the nation to
meet lhis paramount issue, an issue into
winch the Presidential election Of the next
Year will weep every other
Fifth. We ofer no geographical or sec
tional issue: We adopt no principles which
hay not the sanction Of the founders Of the
Republic, in all the States, North and South.
free or slave. We adopt no principles which
W ashington, Jefferson and Patrick Henry.
would not have gloried 70 sec brought into
action. We adopt no principles which con
scIentious opponents Of the increase Of slav-
cry from all parts Of tie Land, cannot and
ought not To recognize. We act in 10 see
tloual spirit az 10 men. We are ready to vote
for men in any part Of the land who will net
with as. We know that within the area Of
the snyc states themselves. are free men,
not shareholders, who sympathizc with us
W. know there are Shareholders thar think a.
y do To say nothing u the three millions
of slaves themselves As to the Territories