The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-09-18
Is ihe Democratic Parry Pro-sIa
veryi

Is the Democratic Parry Pro-sIa.
veryi
That the Democratic party Is pro.slavery,
and 10 favor Of extending the institution Of
African slavery over territories now free,
has been so frequently asserted by our oppo-
nents, both in the press and on the stump,
that many we'll disposed but mis-informed
persons are induced to believe there is some
truth in the assertion. This charge-broud
and sweeping as it isis not susta ined by
particle of proof, and we defy any person to
point out single article in the Democratic
creed, or single act of the Democratic par
ty, which either directly or indirectly, gives
a moral or legal existence to slavery. The
party takes no pOsition-either pro or con
on the question; itregards il as matter OF
interest-of dollars and cents-or ofphiIan-
thropy; it neither requires the members of
its organization to abolish it where il now
exists, nor to establish it where it does not; !;
all it asks is, that the people Of the terrific.
ries in seeking admission into the Union as
States, be left free to regulate their own af.
fairs in n manner most suitable to them
selves, subject only to the requirements of
the National Constitution.
This principle-THE RIGHT OF THE PEo.
PIE TO GOVERN THEMsELvEs--has always
been distinctive feature in our creed. 1t
was firm belief in this principle which
caused our revolutionary fathers to risk their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor
in its defence. 1t is this principle which,
like small piece Of leaven, is now perva
ding the minds of the oppressed millions If
the old world, ard will urge them ere long
to strike decisive blow at the thrones of
their kingy oppressors; and it is for the as
sertion aud defence of this principle, that our
time honorcd organization has been de-
nounced as "pro-slavery," and we, the sons
of patriotic fathers, rs "nigger drivers"
To say that the Democratic party is in 70 :
vor ofslOvery is not only not the fact but, it
is the reverse of fact. African slavery was
first introduced into this country, contrary TO
the wishes of the people; but became at last
profitable as the only kind of labor that
could resist the effects of certain eli mates.
At the time that our constitution was fra med,
it guaranteed protection for that kind Of pro-
perty, and in order to make sure aga inst fu.
ture difficulties by Legislation by Congress,
no power wus given to Congress to legis-
late upon slavery, "except in reference to
the slave trade" utter 1908. And now, be.
cause the Democratic party is in favor of a
st''ct construction OF the constitution, and of
non.intervenlion on the slavery question,
the hue and cry is raised that it desires to
establish slavery. The Democratic party
by the steady application OF its principles
he's actually done more for freedom than any
and all other political organizations in the
country. Yet Notwithstanding this, it's op-
ponents, thinking majority of the people
of the North, will go with them, cry ou,
"Freedom! Freedom!' What does this
"Freedom" mean! Does it not mean the
freedom OF Congress to legislate respecting
your domestic affairs! The right ofa mem.
Der of Congress from Pennsylvania to make
laws for the government of the local affairs
of Ohio--to take away the privileges of the
people-to suppress rights for which thi:
State stipulated when she entered the con,
federacy-to take them away and confer
them on Congress! The Democratic part,
opposes this; always has and always will
its doctrines have always been, "confer ne
more power upon Congress than the Con.
stituion gives and vest all Others in the
people,"
AS to slavery in Kansas, the Democratic
party does not prefer that it shall exist there,
it would not establish it there if it could;
i, says let the people who reside there de.
eide the question. and neither we, nor Con-
gress, nor any body else, who has no right,
sl'all interfere. This is precisely the po
siton occupied by the party. and those who
assert the contrary, must, either conscious.
'y or unconsciousIy, we do not say which,
he guilty of breaking the divine command
Thou shnt not beur false witness against
thy neighbor.'
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