The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-26
JoHs Van puaEN,s SPEECH AT oswrco.

1t singular fact that whilst all the elements Of
tionasm a the North bong combined against the
present administration because of its consistent and
sweryng devotion 10 constitutional rights Of the South
the leading allegation against II in the latter section is
that its sympahes with northern freesoers and abo
lonists. For years past the New York Evening Post
has furnished the chief capital which southern wings
and recently southern know nothngs have sought
fix the charge of sectonasm the democratic party Of
the North and the democratic administration Since the
Post has become notoriousy ant-democratic and
Observation-Disclosures journal, the Albany Atlas has taken
its place in manufacturing materials for the southern OPP
ponents of the democratic party Having protested to be
supporter of the administration the enemies of the de-
mocraey are now quoting freely from that journal prove
that the northern democracy is unsound and sectional
on the slavery question as the wings or fusoniss To
avoid the impression which such of the late editorial
articles of the Atlas might make the southern mind
have felt it duty to state the present position of
antagonism which that journal occupies towards The ad
mnisraon and towards the great question on which the
democratic party must soon measure strength with abo
tionism On that great issue it would be fair for south
ern enemies of the administration to quote from the New
York Tribune the Albany Evening Jows the pur-
pose of fixing abolition sentiments the instraton
or on the northern democracy, from the bany Atlas
All the questions merged in the paramount issue
involved in the crusade of black repubicansm led by Mr.
Seward against the compromises of the constitution
the subject of slavery There be middle neutral
ground in this contest The language of President Pierce
more than year ago. to Hon j. ]. Taylor, OF New York.
peculiarly applicable to the present state of things
If we of the northern middle States unable
tain upon the ground of maintaining for and
Gtat Tarr; ,,f Az
Union all their constitutional rights and immunities
nominal ascendency would be either honorable
ourselves useful to the country BESIDES, r the
democratic party concerned, oil experience process that
every apparent advantage gained by aempor's'ng policy
Jy concessions and fanacm has only resulted
ultimate distraction and tseokess. Iadcduas rho desire
retain aominay position in the democratic ranks out aho are
un.eing stand upon national PLATFORM should understand
that ,ehe the eH dispense cM their
ton thew cannot By silence occupy doubtful position upon
Fundamental questions affecting cordial and permanent
unon Of ,oou losing public co.dsnee, and e
,ef-respect."
The same consideration which induced us to announce
the fact that the Albany Atlas had read itself out of the
democratic party by advocating doctrines wholly at war
with sound nationality calls for notice OF late speech Of
John Van Buren, delivered at Oswego, in New York Oi
that part of the speech which discusses the domestic policy
of New York. as also much treats of know-nohins
ism we have no remarks to make. When he passes from
these subjects and breaches the question slavery be
sentiments from which wholly dissent utterly ncon-
sstent with the position which the national democracy
stands on the issue forced upon the country by the late
Of Mr. Seward and his followers throughout thu
free States The prominent object of Mr. Van Buren,
TO be to show that the platform of the soishes which h
claims to be the democratic PLATFORM contains nothing
the subject of slavery which nses any opponent of il in
quitting the soft-shel join the Seward republican
party. Speaking Of that platform, Mr. Van Buren, said
awe thus declare in the first place, that condemn
these Missouri outrages and in the next place. that while
adhere the compromises OF the constitution we are OPP
posed extension Of slavery into free territory No
these resoinos, my Judgment are Exactly adapted 10 he
Questions non before people. They entirely snf
fcient and did TO that wofd be necessary 70
party consequence 81 anything omaed 10 DC SAD
by that convention upon the subject Of sfdrery have been
asked what meaning of that resolution introduced by
me- They saw one has put upon by
person. another by another. ask person to put
construction upon that resolution for me 1t is the resou
ton which was introduced the Syracuse convention in
s47 The refused to adopt it, and it was then
passed by democrats assembled Mt Hcrkmer and after
cards Jy the democrats who supported Van Buren IN s4s,
and has been adhered by them from that time to this
Ii seems then that Mr. Van Buren, considers the plat
form on which Martin Van Buren, supported for the
presidency in ls4s in opposition TO General Cass the nom
nce of the Democratic National Convention, to be the true
democratic platform We need not remark that the de
mocracy of every State in the Union has uniformly AND
Indignantly rejected the Van Buren, platform of 1913 as
unsound When, therefore, he comes forward to prove
that the soshel platform of 1855 is the same with th
Van Buren, platform Of ls4s he proves that he and all who
adhere to those platforms outside of the democratic
organization But that doubt might remain 10 the
true objects of those who follow Mr. Van Buren, polt
cal guide, he proceeds;
ain the first place. upon the subject of slavery the pract
question is how prevent the extension OF slavery into
free territory That is question upon which we have
right act and it is question which affects the State OF
New York For example under the constitution in the ap
potionment Of representatives, every five slaves count
three persons consequently stakeholder who five
slaves is represented four persons But in III,
State Of New York, though he may ten millions
of property, is merely counted person. This il
an unequal apportionment; but it Of the com
promises of the constitution, and which agreed b.
bound by and which acqucsce in far existing
States are concerned But when you propose to
free territory into slave territory you propose TO increase
that inequality upon which based your representation
Congress- which lays your taxes which makes treaties
country 1t u.s. then, question with which have right
to medde and when undertake to declare opinion
upon IT, it should be our true opinion.
This is in no abolition. 1t is the ground took
Is47 and ls4S and have adhered it, This does
necessarily require Congress prohibit slavery in the Ter
rorics that may be accomplished opera
ton of the BILL The settlers themselves may prohibit
slavery but il they should not, then, when the Territory