The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-08-22
Position Of the Democratic Party. a
A. Hanscom in l848.

We published last week the resolution
adopted by the Democratic State COnven-
ton in 1919, explicitly declaring that Con-
gross possessed " adequate power to prohibit
the existence of Slavery in the territories of
the Union," and enjoining upon the Maine
IN Congress Z" to make every ex-
ertiOn and employ all their influence to pro-
cure the passage Of a law forever excluding
Slavery from the Territories Of California
and New Mexico" A. \. .HANscoH, editor
Of the Democrat, voted in State convention
for that resolve, and supported the doc
trincs it expressed in the paper under his
cOr~a,Seclaring it to be true Democratic
doctr'ne, Anl such as the Democratic party
must sustain or be frowncd down by the
people. For many months he was IA fast
and furious friend Of the Wilmot PrOviso,
goinsas far or even farther than the origi-
nal supporters themselves, Friendly "a we
had always been to the Wilmot Proviso, our
efforts were quite thrown into the shade by
the zcalOusuCss of the Democrat. ut that
time there were pending before the country,
measures for the organization of the terri
tories acquired from Mexico, nearly all Of
which territory, with tho exception ola part
Of California, was below 5000, the line Of
the Missouri Compromise.
Although Cas- had written his famous
Nicholson letter, declaring his nOn-inter-
yention doctrine, the Democracy of this
State repudiated his views, aud stood broad
~ upon the Wilmot ProyisO. With such a.
bility Us the editor. of the Democrat possess
cd, he supported and defended the then
Democratic position, and his zeal was so
great tina. some of hi' friends were at one
time afraid he would rival +" Garrison him
cell" in disseminating what they termed
"abolition principles" His propensity for
these doctrines diminished little in 1850, K
1851, though not much until he was bitten
b. the supplement little moro than n year
ago. by that bite he was radically cured,
and it is not probable that in future he will
give any one an opportunity Of charging
him with being aIain friendly to the prev
alence OF freedom. AS "reminiscences of
the past are sometimes interesting, especial
ly when they serve to show degeneration Of
political parties and men, we have gathered
together few extracts from the columns of
the Democrat, published in 1919, which we
commend to the attention Of our democratic
subscribers.
In 1919, the Legislature of the State, then
Democratic, passed resolves opposed to the
extension Of Slavery. Gov. Dana in his
message, hacked down from the doctrines of
thCso resolves, and June 8, 1919, a. A.
HASsooN, in an editorial published in the
Democrat, said:
The Democracy Of the State stand by
the position taken by the legislature of
1913, and we do not doubt that the scnti-
mens Of the present legislature are quite as
strongly opposed to the extension of Slavery.
The sentiments expressed by the Governor
and Legislature last year in Oppo.i,ion to
the extension Of Slavery into free territories,
met hearty response from the people of
the State. The Democracy of Maine hare
planted hieniselres upon those praaplcs as
an ,HunOra5le foundation, "a platform first con.
oared IN he hearts efthc people, and erected
an accordance ,rith thar Tiskcs and The ne.
quiio Of eternal justice and right,
foundation ,shich GorerOrs and Legislatures.
'eAich nsither one alone nor Joii united can
rcmore."
Opposition to the extension Of Slavery
was then the immovablc foundation upon
which the Democracy of Maine had planted
themselves, 50 declared A. A. HASsoos.-l
Vow we find him on precisely opposite
grounds. Again, in the same article, he
avs:
% We can look upon his remarks in no
ther light than as recommendation Of the
Of the true and righteous posi-
on Maine has taken in this cOntroversy-
consent 20 the establishment Of territorial
oysrnments withoatany denial Of the al
dged rightsof the South to introduce Slave
: into the free territories" Is
1t was then true and righteous position y
# Congress to deny to the South :. the Z
ght 70 INTRODUCES Slavery into the FREQ ter :
tories" Isany lcss SO now, Mr.. Hanscom' .