The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-06-18

IN which the Democracy would triumph
and the effects of that triumph would b,
to restore peace, quiet and stability tt
the Union. There were no longer any
dissensions in the Democratic ranks; fo1
all who agreed in principle were now in
vited to act together, without regard t.
past differences. One Of the great prin
ciplcs of their faith was the equality o.
the Statee,- and the right-of- Golf govern
ment in the Territories, subject to the
limitation of the Constitution; or, in 9th
er words the great principle of the
Nebraska bill. Loud applause. There
were no more any anti n braska Demo.
Gratis now that there were white black
black birds to be found. The plat form
indorsed the Nebraska bill; and what
more, said Mr.. d., could desire? i
there was anything more to be desired
it was to be found in the residue of the
platform, and he cordially responded to
every clause therein embraced. The
Democratic party was united with a
common creed and common objects
and they were marching surely and GER
tainly to common victory.
The platform was equally explicit in
reference to the disturbances in relation
to the Territory of Kansas. It declared
that treason was to be punished, and re-
sistance to the laBs was to be put down.
That was the whole question to be in.
volved-whether the supremacy of the
laws should be maintained, or whether
mob yiolenee should overcome the officer
of the law. On this question, between
law and violence, tho Democracy had
expressed their sentiments; they say
that the laws shall be executed so long
as they stand upon the statute book
But the Rlack-Republieans say that they
will trainple upon the law, and shoot
down the officers who execute it, because
they do not like the law. The whole
question was, whether law and order and
the Constitution shall prevail, or wheA-
er lawless violence and mob-law shall
rule in their stead. TIE Convention
had met that question with frmness
response not ouly in the heart of every
Democrat, but in the heart of every low
er of his country, no matter what his
political opinions might be. The great
principles of the Nebraska Bill was the
right of the people to make their own
laws; and hence the duty of the minor
ity to submit to laws made in coLformi-
ty with the Constitution aud the organ
ic act. If they deny tie caasti4 ial-al--
ity or the validity of any law, let them
test 1t in the courts Of law, aid abide
by the results; or, if they desire to have
any Of the laws repealed, let them try
TO carry their point at the polls, and let
the majority decide the question but
so long as the laws stand upon the stat
ute book, SO long IS the courts pronounce
them constitutional, just so long they
must be obeycd. These rem ,rks were
not to the laws of Kansas
Territory alone, but TO all laws 1t was
a universal principle in every free gov
ernment that the supremacy Of the law
must be maintained; and if that princi-
pie should be lost sight Of for a moment,
what would the liberty of the people be
worth I? Now, this was not the first
time that there had been a disposition
to resist the laws because some of the
people did not like them not only had
there been opposition to the laws of
Kansas, but to the Fugitive slave Law,
and in each case they made the same ex-
cuse. Indeed, no other excuse could
be made for refusing to obey the law,
than that they did not like it because it
sends the negro back to slavery. But
he yentured to express the opinion that,
if there could be found hole in it big
"-ough to let every negro drop through
rney would call it the holiest law that
ever was made The Constitution says
that he-slave must be surrendered and
those who object to this object to the
Constitution of the country, and not to
the Fugitive Slaye Lew.
The principle of the Black Republi-
cans is to obey such laws as they like,
and repudiate those they do not like.
They claim protection under the Con-
stitQtion and refuse to yield obedience
to it. The difference between them and
the Democracy is, that the Democracy
support the Constitution in all its parts
with equal fidelity, without reference as
to whether they like it or dislike it. It
is no excuse for a man to say that he
does not like law, aud, therefore, will
not obey it. Did they know a criminal
who liked the law? [Applause.] Law
breakers never like the punishment that
follows the act. Law abiding men have
no fear of the supremacy of the law;
and the question to be decided in this
contest is, whether a law made in pur-
suance of the Constitution, and as ex-
pounded by the Courts, shall prevail, or
whether such law is naught, and wheth-
er cowardly leaders may shoot down the
officers of law with impunity.
He rejoiced that the Convention, by
a unanimous vote, had approved of the
creed that law must and shall prevail.
T Applause. He rejoiced that we had
a standard bearer with SO much wisdom
and nerve as to enforce firm and undi-
vided execution of those laws. When,
he said, the issues were presented be
tween the two great parties-he said
ta1o parties, because Know n Nothingism
was dead, aud nothing but Black Re-
publicanism was left, laughter they
would find such verdict as this coun-
try has meyer rendered in favor of a
Democratic platform or Democratic
standard bearer. Great cheering
He hardly new where the opposition
would get any votes, in order to let US
know when the history of this contest
should be written, who its candidates
were.
The Democracy did not intend that
their opponents should get single State
in the great Northwest. They were
law abiding people there. He vas sure
they had no hopes in old Pennsylvania,
the Kavstone State. the homo of Ru-