Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-07-25
FREMONT and DAYTON.


to
CLYDE, SATURDAY EVENING,
And listen to a Speech BY the
HON. j. NJ. ROOT.
of Liberty at this trying time demands the
nest attention of every Freeman of the land.
Does the Constitution authorize Congress
20 Prohibit Slaveryt
Now we don't feel qualified to enter into
the discussion of this subject ourselves. All
original discussion Unconstitutional questions
in this region, emanate from the joint stock
printing association, who rendezvous On the
corner below. But we have some able opin-
ions on this subject from men now eminent
in the pro-slavery buchanier ranks.
We publish this week from the Sandusky
County Democrat, of August Sd, 1850, the
call for meeting, and from the same paper
of subsequent date, the proceedings of the
meeting so called, and invite the especial
attention of our readers to it. EE See
first page.
One of the resolutions of this meeting de-
clares in the most emphatic manner that the
Constitution does authorize Congress to pro-
hibit slavery in the territories, and it is in
these words:
Resokred That the constitution clearly confers upon
congress the power restrict and prohibit slavery within
the territories belonging To the United Sateshat this
power has been exercised without question in numerous
Washington to Polk inclusive-and that territorial
should in future be sanctioned by congress
which does not contain distinct and absolute prohibition
of slavery.
Amongst the supporters of these resolu-
tions at that meeting the reader will find
such names as J. L. Greene, L. B. Otis, J.
R. Pease, c. J. Orion, John Bell, and A. ].
Dickinson, all but the first named, were then
democrats of high standing. If we are cor
rectly informed, all these gentlemen now
support the Cincinnati platform, which de-
clares that Congress HAS NOT THE
: RIGHT to prohibit slavery in the terrific
ries. Now here is a plain, distinct bout
face upon n most important principle. The
Constitution has not been changed, nor the
principles of right and wrong What was
then declared by these resolutions was good
democracy! Is it good democracy now?- p
The conscience-keepers Of buchanicr, slave
ocracy hereabouts will have to keep a close
watch, or these men will vote in accordance
with their then expressed opinions, fol
FREEDOM and FREMONT.
1t was at this same meeting that our
Senator, Hon. R. P. BUoKLAND, in a speech
took such decided stand, and explicitly
denounced the FugitiUe Slave LaeC, and the
other speakers on that occasion, some OF
whom are now high in authority, ALL de-
nounced the Fugitive Slave Law. Can
they do so now and escape the party lash
ing which the Nessea ger is commissioned
and authorized to infict on all who dare
Judge or even think for themselves.
We know our gallant Representative is
no coward; but we challenge him to the
test of his courage by reitcrating in print as
his present opinion, what he then avowed
and supported. He would have the music
iof insects about his ears to his hearts con-
tent. Bat perhaps he had not then expert
lonccd the second birth, and was not then a
lprofessed democrat, and since, has had the
scales peeled off his eyes, so that the Con-
stitution looks differently, now. Very well,
$50 let it be, if it is so. But how is 1t with
those who were then democrats by profess
ion, and are so still? There is change of
doctrine in them also! What then? Docs
democracy, or rather the principles of what
is called the democratic party change?-
Surely, surely! How plain it is that the
once honorable name of democracy has been
prostituted to the will of the slave-drivers,
land that men who once in earnest listed and
Ibattled on the side of freedom, have been
transferred by the sleight of hand trick of
Douglas & Co., to the enemys of Freedom,
and are now forging chains for human be-
Iings. Humiliating the confession! yet true.
The democrats of late years have shown
about as much character, as flies on a plate
of molasses; only let them have what they
love best (ofice,) let them suck, and they
they don't care where the plate is carried to.
We console ourselves just now, by the rising
smoke from the fires of popular indignation,
lit will soon dispel the poor creatures, or put
them to death by sufocation.
RE We were told by Mr.. KELLY during
our visit to that island last week, that there