Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-19

Gently assembled In COLUMBUS, II Is our DUTY,
as faithful sentinels, and our choice, as honest
men, to express, without fear, our views-"No-
thing extenuate nor set down aught in malice"
In adverting to the series Of resolutions
adopted as the platform of the Ohio democracy,
we find much to applaud, but much to regret.
Thus while we express our hearty concurrence
in such demands as are contained in the fifth
resolution of the convention-in reduction of
the tariff of 1916, without reference to special
interests-in the restoration of a pure metallic
currency to the States-in hostility to general
system ofinternal improvcments--in the speedy
acquisition Of Cuba and the Sandwich Islands,
rigid system of economy and in the continued
enforcement ofthe Independent Treasury policy
we do not hesitate to oppose the homestead
feature contained in one of the sections Of the
resolution, providing for the grant of public
lands to actual settlers at ga price not ex-
ceeding the necessary expenses Of acquisition
and survey" Thus, too while we unite with
them in onr attachment to the constitution and
our firm adherence to its compromises, and with
them denounce rs dangerous to our peace and
our liberties, all political parties, geographical
and sectional in their character, we deploIe the
announcement Of sentiment which places the
democracy of neighboring State in direct
hostility to an institution approved by ourselves
and with which they acknowledge they have
nothing to do.
The declaration contained in these resolutions
that they will use all power clearly given by
the terms Of the national compact to prevent the
increase of slavery and finally to eradicate the
evil" is equivalent to declaration that there is
in the national compact clear grant Of power
for the purpose-and that such a grant the De-
mocracy of Ohio design to exercise. Now,
against such an opinion and announcement as
this, we enter our solemn protest, a protest
founded on the resolutions of the convention
themselves For, by the very succeeding reso-
luton it is declared that the whole power and
right over the subject belongs to the States
within which the institution exists. But it may
be contended in avoidance Of this difficulty, that
the institution may exist elsewhere than in the
States, that it already is recognized in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and that provision is made
by the Nebraska bill for its introduction into
the Territories. Still there is no way of escape
opened for these unfortunate Democrats, for in
the resolution Immediately preceding that on
which we have been commenting, they reaffrm
and adopt the platform Of the Baltimore Demo-
cratic Convention of 1852, which laid down as
one of its first principles, that the compromise
of 1850 should be regarded as final settlement
Of the slavery question, both in and out ofCon-
gress
We confess our surprise that a convention,
com posed Of learned and able men, should have
fallen into so strange an error. From the Fed
eral Constitution, which we understand to be
alluded to in the term national compact
these politicians might have learned that the
only power given to Congress over the subject
Of slavery was IN suppressing its introduction
which was done in 1903, and in securing to the
STAKEHOLDER the rendition of his property, which
was attempted in 1850. Where, then, these
gentlemen Of the convention propose to OBJ
tain the power CLEARLY given by the terms OF
the national compact" to interfere with the
subject at all, we are at q loss to u noerstand'
And even IL they should have fallen Ito the
nearly exploded error, that Congress may cco-
troll the existence Of slavery in the Territories,
they are effectually precluded from the exer
else of such an opinion by their own pledges,
in reafirming the doctrine Of the Baltimore
Convention, that, so far as Congress is con-
cerned, the vexed question Of slavery is forever
settled.
But while we thus regret that such senti-
ments should have found place in the resolu-
tons Of this branch of the Democracy, there
is much in their platform which we heartily np-
prove. Nor do we believe that the language
on which we have been commenting, was de-
signed to express more than mistaken senti-
Inent Of philanthropy, which we are aware gen.
orally pervades the North. Let the Democracy
Of Ohio adhere firmly to the principles set forth
in their resolutions on this vital subject let
them fully recognize the doctrine which they
profess--that to the States belong the control
OF their domestic institutions; let them, like
strict constructionists of the republican school,
guard well the encroachments OF the Federal
Government upon subjects not committed TO
them by the Constitution, and let them stand
faithfully by the pledge Of fnal settlement con-
tanned in the Baltimore platform which they
have adopted as their own, and we have every
assurance that the principles which they profess
in common with their brethren Of the South,
win be ably sustained and become finally tri-
umpbant.
Since writing the above, the Richmond En-
quirsr Of Yesterday morning HI. come to hand