The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-06-16
The pemocraey and the Crisis.

There appears to be a disposition IN
some quarters to clear the ranks of the
Democratic party of all who are opposed
TO Douglas & Co.'S planto extend slavery.
To be deemed orthodox, men protesting
the Democratic creed are expected not
only toswallow the Nebraska and Kansas
bills, but they must favor the establish
ment of slavery in those Territories; and
if need be, they must sustain Stringfel-
low and hisasseciates in their highmind-
ed measures to convert Kansas into a
slave State. In word, they must lend
themselves body and soul to the Slave
Power, and obey its orders whateverthey
might 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 a promi-
nent position in public life Butall that
is brayely changed. There is a DISPOSE
ton to examine political measures. to
canvass the acts of public men. The
rank and file have become, to consider
able 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 to make pro-
slavery men of the entire body of the
Democratic party. Thousands of It's
members were opposed to the repeal of
tie Missouri Compromise, and have no
sympathy or fellowship with Douglas q
Go. They are not in favor of planting
slavery in Kansas. and they will not
hesitate to so declare their sentiments
when the time for action comes. Asan
evidence of the correctness of these views,
we publish the annexed paragraph from a
letter written few days since by Martin
F. Conway. recently of Baltimore, but
now a member elect of the Legislature of
Kansas. Referring to the men who are
eudeayoring to makeslavery extensions an
article in the Democratic creed, he says:
81 have strong confidence tl.as it will
not be long before the Democratic parry
viii east from its bosom and crush TO an
initiation this crew OF traitors who are
now maligning Its character, plotting
againstits integrity and power, and ha :ch-
ing treason TO the country. 1t is Ger ain
that the Democratic party viii not be I'M
mindful of itself or of them. They are
seeking nothing less than to divest it of
its original characteristics, divert.it from
its original aims, and start il upon new
and dangerous paths. They are trying to
convert il into an engine by which to ae-
eompIish their own desperate and corrupt
schemes or. failing in this, to disorgan-
ize and dissolve it. They are no longer
true to its principles: they no longer re-
spect the authority of its illustrious names.
Thus the most violent profess. totally IN
compatible with the law and the Consti-
tuition, and destructive OF tie peace of
society and the permanently of our COM
mon Union, are audaeiously attempted to
be carried out. The ri ghts of men are
invaded without sesuple-the rights Of
free white male citizens stricken down
without a word The law is set at def
anee-the Constitu ion utterly disregard
ed and sneered a.. Thus also the prin-
ciples and counsels of Jefferson, Ma iisons
and their great compensate faSLers of
Republican freedom-afe scodej at and
trampled under foot. Slavery iselevated
to the dignity of divinely-ordained in
stitution. in order solely, to bring the
owners of slaves to the support of intrigue
and ambition Proposals are unbiush-
ingly made, from the same motive, tore
open the African slave-trade, and argu-
meiits are MANUFACTURED to prove lis con-
sistency with the ends of Divine Provi-
denee. Look, and be not deceived This
is the sort of business ia which these
people are now engaged. Sectienalism
frst-disunion afterwards-and then in
all probability the acquisition to their
southern empire of new territory along
the southern line to extend the posses
sions and swell the power of those un-
principled men. This is the per6dous
programme. Perish the law, the Con-
stitution, the Republic, to ell the insati-
ate measure of rank ambition
After this, will anybody tell US that the
Democratic party of the free States is not
a dead and buried concern, so far as ma
tional polisics are concerned? Is it not
as thoroughly defunct as its recent great
competitor for votes and for power-the
Wing party ?--Y Y. Tfitane.