The true Democrat., 1855-09-18

to pause before they shall aid in furthering projects, the result of which will startle their understandings and appal their hearts. Let them beware of political party that has been afraid to reveal its principles, and conceals its actions-let them consider how unmanly and irrational must those men be who would thus secretly unite, and binding each other in the spirit of mutual distrust, by solemn and illegal oaths, to carry out great public pur- pose, and to produce great political revolur ton. In tyrannical countries, where political intolerance and persecution proscribes men for liberal opinions, such combinations are some times necessary, but always dangerous for the the cause of freedom. But 1t was left for a democratic country, in democratic and liberal age, for men thus to conspre Tn favor of polltl- cal intolerance and prosecuting bl5otry. To the pure minded men who have thus erred and strayed away, do we submit these considerations for their action, hoping that they will yet re- turn to correct views, and sustain the cause of republican liberty, by a Jealous opposition to the pernicious principles and intoerant dsci~ pline of this new and dangerous faction.
 Before we conclude this appeal to your reason and your patriotism, must invite your at tenton to the subject of domestic slavery- With that institution Pennsylvania has nothing to do. h the exercise a wise philanthropy we have long since abolished it. But because we have exerted our sovereign power over it, we must not endeavor to control sister States in the regulation of the subject. If we entertain sentiments adverse to i9ilrwoduction, we must not propagate those opinions at the cost of the domestic tranquility of other States, or at the risk of perilng our common Union. It would not become freemen to bk' involved in inappeasable dscord, for the sake of small number of slaves, whose condition we cannot change The constitution was the result of many adjustments and compromises, and with 1t we have secured domestic tranquility, pri- vate prosperity and public liberty. Time will reveal the end and purpose of this institution of slavery existing in some of the States of this Union; but while We live under the consttu- ton, we must abide by its provisions and its solemn compacts. All attempts to regulate this subject by congressional action must prove abortive and end in tumult and disorder. With us the constitution is paramount to the laws, and it is disobedience and insubordination of the worst kind to strive, by political agitation, to subvert the one aud encroach upon the other
 Like all other questions of strictly local con- cern, that of slavery should be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the people of the ter ritory or place in which it it is proposed to es- tablish or reject it. This principle of local self government is the basis of all our institutions, and is essential to political freedom. It may for a time, be abused and trampled on, as other rights have been, but men should not because of that be deprived of it. l. s for the common interest of all that each and every citizen should freely and peacefully exercise the right; and the principle and practice thus universally ordained and recommended by the founders of our government, will be firmly maintained by the democratic party.