The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-18


And permit 1 Us 70 inquire, II such was the sent.
msnt Of sias Wrgtt IS to ths introduction Of invo
luntary ssrvtuds into newly acquired territory who
repeal Of the Missouri compact. and the efforts now
mahiDg 70 extend il to territory which, during his whole
political life he had seemed eonsscrated freedom
ctste the estimation In which, u iyiug he would hold
those wn0 attempt to Appropriate his name, fame and
Nor It In regard to the spirit Of alone
that we feel inpeed to enter our pro es.. The
tnusd made by those assuming to speak
who have regard for the true principles democracy
The doctrine Of Mr.. Jefferson, OF federation Of .tes
oppressive of national tendencies Is discarded and
tralizstion Of power and influence engraei upon IT,
which cannot long exist without expungng ali State SEN
ten1 and substituting that Of federal nationality
70 bud up and strengthen the States the only pos
eibe check to consolidation the theory Of Jesrson
to build up the Union paramount TO the States and
was the theory Of Hauilton Convsnti ons by the con-
struction OF piaforms have senty changed the very
prinsple upon whict the Democratic party found
ed, and have now converted 1t into pure nationality
ignoring tho opinion and sentiments OF the people of
the States, and dicatng dogmas of belief a. war with
the doctrine Of sSe sovereignty. Even tbs right Of
representation is perverted and delegates chosen
not because they reecS the sentiment of their con.
stitusncss, but because they agree, or srofsss to
and communities. Conventions longer alio wed
to give expression to the views of the private citizen
ment, made to echo the dictates of the central
power, to which paramount ieaty i proclaimed.
Not content with the enjoyment of their own To-
gisimate rights, the advocates Of slavery exsen-
sciences Of their fellow citizens Of the Tree States
what shall be The peculiar tenor Of their opinions
in order to entte them to participancy in public
afairs or even stsnding in the party with which
There was time, within the memory of even
youthful citizens, when freedom considered as
the OF the present day. slavery has come to
be regarded as the stone of republic edfce
and the xtenaon Of its domain as the shbbolsth OF
national democrat" The period isnot remote when 1t
deemed strictly In accordance with democratic prn
cpe that the people, the fountain ani of ali po
ment and give direction to ths conduct Of those thsv
placed in public station But under the peculiarly
cratic auspices Of the present hour and the existing ad
ninstration this wholesome principle is reversed. It is
no longer the people VINO rule, but who are ruled
II is the President, who, under his own sign ..
nuai, declares what measures shall be approved, to
what standard OF ethics the popular mind shall
form and upon what terms aud conditions shall
allowed to remain within the communion of the party.
1t is the President who reads homies to his North
ern constituents the immortality Of aiding their lsss
favored fellow citizens to ergrete to the unoccuped
praires Of the West, and stgmatzes the founding
of free State as q crime against the peace of So
ciey whilst with characteristic consistency he leviss
through his subordnates forced contribution upon the
pa e election IN his native se bs
tsst."honesty capabity and fidelity to the constitu.
ton" longer regarded. "Does he approve OF the
measures Of administrations does he stand fairly and
squarey the Nebraska b is he without taint on the
slavery are the tests Of character and
conoi'ion upon which men are permitted to call them
selves democrats, and participate In the avorB OF the
present administration. Nor does 1t stop here, Men
with no stain upon their personal political charac ers
eerocraic principles, treated with contumey and
their counsels spurned because they are unwilling to
violate their convictions of right and join in crusade
against the best interests Of the country The most emil
Dent living statesmen of the republic (Van Buren, and
Benton against whose devotion the constitutional
rights OF the South during quarter OF century the
Ia a ara
branded with obioquy and reproach, for other
than refusal to enlist under the banner slavery
extension.
These are the fruits winch belong to the existing ordsr
Of things and thia the shrine at which the democrats
While we refuse compliance with the requisition we
hazard the prediction that when time shall have rpened
coming events into history, the future will belle the past
ifPresdent Pierce 90 not prove in his dear bough
experience that the gratitude of the slave power
evanescent ~ Its demands exacting iperious.
Against the legitimate and constitutional rights of the
South ws wage no warfare. Towards its citizens
tertan NO hostility. We concede to them, within
their appropriae jurisdictions, the right to regulate
their internal affairs in their way and accord
Jog to their own convictions Of propriety. But they
must the attempt to force upon agreement
principles, in regard to which there can be coumu
nifty Of feeling and accordance of action We warn
them against placing confidence in the OF
men who have not the power they possess the dis
position to control fae votes Of the democratic electors OF
the Empire State These will demand due respect for their
own proper appreciation OF rights ofothers
They will require return to those principles of pub
c oty Whfcn snail give TO tno democracy or tne StAte
their true weight ana position in the direction of affairs
and secure them sgsinst the abuse Of tsteral power
They will ask that the aggressive policy which has mark
ed the onward march Of slavery shall They will
demand for their brethren in Kansas the just protec
ton to which they entitled against border rufsn.
lem, and cessation of that anomaly which, under the
appellaion of "popufar sovereignty" imposes upon
them government upheld BY the bAyonsts Of federal
solciery.
Speaking for Ourselves, in view of the circumstances
we have detailed We unhesitatingly but firmly declare
that In possible exiQency party no
Of omission or commission on our part will we consent
that the fair and fertile praries OF the West shall be
made to echo to the lash Of the oversesrs whip or the
cAnk Of the bondmsns feter. Tie experience of the
past and the hopes of the future ali point to
flexible adherence TO the doctrine often promulgated
BY the democracy Of this Stale OF unc promising
y to the s1tensSn Of slavery into free terriory the
democratic and insure the stability Of our repub
hcsn insiitutions
Abijah Beckwith, Benjamin Smead,
A. w. Eaton, Robert Campbell,
T. a. Pcmloy, George Huntington,
Il. G. Root, O. F. Marshal
George ". Pine, Alexander He's,