Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-08-26
Letter from Hen Chester Lonmis-The
Democracy Overhauled

democracy OVernauleo
RusHvILLE, N Y, May 2, 1856.
Messrs. Comstock and Cassidy, Publish
ere CT the Atlas and Argus:
Finding myself unable to approve OF
the political course OF the atlas and Ar
gus, have to request that you Will erase
my name from your list of subscribers.
In early life became attached 10 the
principles of the Democratic party. My
attachment to those principles has become
stronger as have grown older, and 1t Is
nv purpose strictly 10 adhere TO them as
they have heretofore been expounded and
maintained by Jefferson, Jackson, Madi-
son, and Van Buren,.
AsI understand it, the fundamental
purpose which originally led to the organ
izatIon of the Democratic party was TO
maintain and extend free institutions. To
effect such purpose, in the year next after
the termination OF the Revolutionary war,
Mr.. Jefferson proposed to Congress to
prohibit forever slavery or involuntary
servi,ude in all Territory belonging to the
United States, and three Years thereafter
such prohibition was enacted by unani-
nous vote. One Of the declared objects
for which oug National Constitution was
formed ia the same year wdS :" 10 secure
the blessings of liberty" and to enable
Congress 10 do this, ample power was ex-
pressiy granted ''to make all I.eedful rules
and regulations, respecting the territories
&C., belonging to the United States'-
And Congress exercised such power re-
peatedly by prohibiting Slavery in the
Territories, without lis being questioned
or. IayTaI all HIN ,1.,.i,.l
Had the policy thus adopted by the foun-
ders of our Government, IN respect TO the
Territories. been honestly adhered to,and
carried out IN the true spirit of the Con-
stitu:ion, the present alarming struggle
for mastery between Freedom and Sla-
very would never have occurred. Slavery
would have gradually and silently dwin-
died away, and eventually have Disappear
ed from the Republic, without producing
perceptible shock. Free institutions
would have taken It's place, and resulting
prosperity and rapid progress would have
followed, promoting happiness and har-
mony throughout the nation.
IN my judgment, the institution of do
mestlc slavery Is IN It's nature hostile and
antagonistic to free institutions. Mr.. JEFF
.ferson declared 1t to be = the perpetual
exercise of the most uuremitting despo-
tlsm on the one part, and the most degra-
ding submission on the other" 1t must
therefore be impossible that these institu-
lions can both be permanently maintained
under the same national Government
The conflict between these opposite inter-
ests must continue unit! one or the other
shall be destroyed.
All history and experience have proved
that homogeneous institutions are indis-
pensable to the peaceful existence of a
nation. The founders of our Govern
ment we'll understood this truth. They
therefore, with singular unanimity, early
adopted system OF policy in reference
TO the Territories calculated to secure the
ascendency and extension Of free institu-
tons.
But this policy has been suhycrted.-
Since the control OF the ID smocratic party
has been assumed by the delnagogues
now prominent as its leaders, many OF the
most important principles Of the Jenerso-
( Man Democracy have been expunged.-
Persevering efforts are now being made
to incorporate new and opposite doctrines
/ IN their place.
! The new tests of Democracy now pre-
scented would exclude from the party both
/ Jefferson and Jackson, were they at this
/ time on the stage of action. | can readi-
/ ly believe that politicians who are demo-
Gratis IN name only. will unhesitatingly sub
scribe to these new tests, but how IS II pos
slble for any one having any regard for
/ the old landmarks of Democracy to accept
them, it is beyond my comprehension.
1 For one protest against them. pro-
test against the attempted changes in the
] Democratic creed. Regarding the new
doctrines Inculcated in the name of De-
mocracy as false and unconstitutional,
cannot adopt them. | cherish an abiding
faith that the great mass of that political
party, in the ranks OF which have had
an humble position for forty years past,
will yet repudiate them; and that the poll
cy of Washington, jefferson, Madison,
and of all the founders of our Govern
ment in respect to slavery Ill the Union
will be again restored. If my hopes in
this respect shall be realized, the Union
of the States WI be preserved, free in
stltutions will be maintained, and the vital
+ interests of twenty millions OF freemen
Will no longer be held by the General
Government as subservient TO the inter-
ests ofabout three hundred and fifty thou
sand Shareholders
Respectfully YOURS