The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-06-25

born and reared. My principles anC
, course of life are known to you all.
| Gentlemen, the platform of principle.
adopted by the Convention will attract
> the attention of the country, and exer
the most important influence upon public
affairs. Without entering into discus
sion of that platform, may remark that
it reasserts the old and well-recognized
creed of the Democratic party, and then
applies the principles of that party to the
great question of the times.
Upon the two issues which do now
most agitate the Union, the position OF
the Democracy cannot hereafter be mis-
understood or misreLresanted.
They have defined in explicit terms
their construction of the guarantees OF
civil and religious liberty which are
contained in the Constitution of the
United States,
Upon he distracting question of do
mestic slavery, their pogition is equally
clear. The whole power of the Demo
cratic organization is pledged to the fol
lowing propositions:
That Congress shall not interfere up,
on this subject ;p the States, in the Ter
ritories, or in the District of Colum-
bia;
That the people of each Territory shall
determf6e the question for themselves,
and be admitted into the Union upon a
footing of perfect equality with the orig
inal States, without determination on
account of the allowance or probability
of slavery.
That the law of Congress, for the re-
turn of fugitives from labor, passed in
pursuance of the requirement of the
Constitution, shall be faithfully execu-
ted.
Upon all these vital questions, the
Convention was unanimous; every del
egate from every State giving them his
cordial approval.
Gentlemen, if these principles can be
maintained every obstacle will be re-
moved to the peace aud prosperity of
our country. More than this you ought
not to ask-less than this you will not
consent to take. I know you we'll
enough to be assured that there is not a
man within the sound of my voice, who
does not feel that this settlement is just,
and that in no other mode can the rights
of the respective members Of the confed-
eracy be preserved, and the peace of the
Union secured.
To the maintenance of these princi-
Piles are pledged the united efforts of
strongest political organization in the
United States. You are not called up
on now to decide subordinate questions
of policy. You are brought face to face
with issues which rock your country to
its center, and involve the principles
upon which your institutions are found
ed. Hence high personal responsible
ity is imposed on every citizen, by blind
ly herding beneath party banners, or
uttering fierce rallying cries, or surren-
dering the Judgment to the dominion of
the prejpdices aud the passions.
He who shall examine carefully and
temperately the platform of the Nation
al Democracy; compare it with the plat
forms of other parties; investigate the
issues before the country; learn the
strength and purposes of other organiza-
tions, and then prefer the decisions of
his Judgment to the temptations of his
passions, will have performed his duty
IN manner duSN eTdUlS W lA0 AiSH
claims of his country upon the patriot
ism Of her sons.
My only purpose in appearing before
you, upon the invitation of your COM
mittee, was to render my sincere ac-
knowledgments for the kindness which
prompted you to desire my presence. If
L have been betrayen into remarks more
extended than the occasion seemed to
you muet share the blame with
me, and place the error, in part, at least,
to the account of your warm welcome
and friendly attention.
In one sentiment I am sure we can
all concur; that the great issues in
volved in this contest may be so decided
as to preserve the Constitution, advance
the general prosperity, and give new
of the equal and perpetual
rights of the States.