Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-06-04

Pol. It is backed like weasel.
FaH. Or like whalea
POI Very like whale! [SHAKEsPEARE,
1t is nothing uncommon to hear Locofoco
papers charging those opposed to the Pierce
Democracy with acting inconsstently, and
claiming that the Democratic is the only up
right and straightforward party in the country.
These are, however, mere asseverations uu-
accompanied by substantiating testimony. 1t
is thought, on the other hand, that the char
ges which they are so ready to make against
others, might perhaps be more applicably made
against their own party. During the last eight
or ten years, the course pursued by the De.
mocracy of Pennsylvania, on the slavery uues-
tion, has been such as can, we think, reason
ably be termed Inconsistent In lS4e. reso-
luton was adopted by them in their State Con-
vention, in which they ssre-declare that slave
cry is domestic and local Institution of the
"South, subject to State legislation alone,
and with which the general government has
" nothing to do. Wherever the State law ex-
tends its jurisdiction, the local institution
sean continue to exist. Esteen1ing il q vfola-
" ton Of Stcts rights 10 carry ii beyond State lin
its, ice deny The poVer Of any citizen to ertend
&" the Of bondage beyond its present do1,in-
ion, nor do consider ii part of the compro-
% mise, of the Constitution ttut SIqoery should
"forerer trGrei tcith the advancing columns of
cur territorial progress That is what the
. Democracy of this State said in 1849. Read it
and ponder it as you may, it cannot be regard
ed in any other light than as Freesoil doctrine,
or, as they are pleased TO term it, crank Abo-
litionisn.'' ssBy the mass, and tits like
camel, indeed"
In 1854, the Democratic party in Pennsylva-
MIA tackled about Q little, relying s.upon the
q compromise of 1850 as final adjustment of
"the vexed and dangerous question: and in
1855 'srecognized no geographical lines be-
tween North and South" declared that the in
terests of all parts Of the Union were the same
TO them, and recognized ssin its widest extent
the principle of popular sovereignty in the
territories" This position was regarded, at
that time, as probiematical in its meaning, and
was evidently designed to gull both Northern
and Southern voters. In fact, eit is backed
like weasel!''
But it was in 1856. the present year. that
the Pennsylvania portion of the 'sgreat nation
~ OeAoSAoiAO party lOcA lle leap NEicl
landed them in the midst of the slough OF Sla-
very propsgandsm. At their State Conven-
ton, held some time since, they resolved
I" that in the repeal of the act known as the
&" Missouri Compromise act, and the passage
IS of the act organizing the territories OF KAN
- sas and Nebraska, free from unconstitutional
4" restrictions. the last Congress performed a
work OF patriotic sacrifice in meeting the
!" demands of sectional excitement by upSha-
" ken adherence TO the fundamental Law. =
II they would have said that 'ea work Of pa
iriotic sacrifice had been performed by meet
lng the demands Of the Slape pousr, the idea
would have been better expressed. "a work
OF patriotic sacrifice" !" indeed which has been
the cause of all the troubles in those terrific
sics, of the destruction of private property,
and Of the shedsing of innocent blood in
Kansas, and which has brought our country
&c the verge OF civil war And this is SANG
toned by the Democracy of this StateI And
how, in doing this. does their position accord
with the views they held in 1897 Of truth,
1t is now ssrery like a t0halel l'