The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-08-16


The following article, which we find IN the
Clinton Oll) Courier, states SO clearly the
true issue in the pending Presidential con-
test, and expresses our own views SO exactly
on the subject of slavery that we copy it in
lieu of an article we had contemplated writ
ing on the same subject:
1t is, it appears. the especial province of
one OF the great political parties of the day,
TO misrepresent the position assumed, and
principles advocated by the American Demo
cracy NO stone is left unturncd by the Re-
publican writers and stumpcrs. the false
turning OF which would convey the impress.
sion that the Democratic party is pro slavery
in principle. If to contend for, and carry
out as near as practicable, the great princi-
pies of self government, which underiies the
whole supcrstructurc of our institutions in
the organization Of territorial forms Of go
vernmeut constitutes propagandlsm, then we
acknowledge the charge. We repeat, 1t to
contend for the doctrine Of non-intervention
on the part of the Congress of the United
States upon the subject Of slavery in the ter
ritorieS, and for the matter to be settled by
the people, those to be affected by the re-
suit, be pro-slavery, then we PLEAD guilty to
the char c; otherwise, we pronounce it ma
lciouSly false.
The intelligent freeman Of TIL. country
AS yet to learn, in Oh" opinion, that the FLAT
form OF the american democracy is sectional
-: IS character and principles, the unanimous
/ and false accusations of the entire opposition
parties to the contrary, notwithstanding.
! We understand the feelings anu sentiments
of the individual members Of the great de
mocratic party to be adverse to the further
extension Of slavery and as for ourself, We
frankly state that if there was no slavery II
this country to day, and we were in common
with the entire voters in the land to decide
whether it should come OF not, we most as
I suredly would vote against its coming. Anc
We state most positively, that If the question
was now being agitated whether or not the
state of Illinois sh uld adopt slavery, 1t would
meet with more strenuous opposition from
the democracy than it would in the ranks o.
the opposition We have stated from the
first, that if we were in Kansas and entitled
10 vote. we certainly should, under TIE
operations Of the Kansas Nebraska h!li ano
Nasiona: Democratic platform, vote agalnS
the introduction or :,laintainance Of slavery
and such we think would be the action 0
the great mass Of the Democrat party
to our institutions, both. il. letter and spirit
can be done:
Bat according TO tie Constitution of tn
United States, it is the Just ann inhercn
right of the people to decide for themselves
what the character Of administrations shal
be. Such are the principles for which III
democracy battle with the isniS of the day
Not so, however, with the republicans o
: fuSioniSts. for the only characteristic in thcl
political creed that Congress has sovereign
power over the Territories, and that suci
power should be exercised to keep SLAYER,
out Of the Territories, independent Of th'
will of the people Il is fact notorious
DENY it who Will, that the great and ONLY
question at issue, and to be settled as the re
suit of the present national contest, l
whether the people in their Territorial ca
pacitv, or Congress, shall say whether thei
local laws shall tolerate or exclude slavery
We take the position. at least, it is IN accord
auce with the tOn>t tuition OF the countr
for the people 10 determine. Our opponent
saw not. We contend that II il only anott
. er step Of applying to the Territories IN
the great principles "f -r'f-gOvcrnment, 10
which oar Revolutionary Sircs withstood tn
GulI force uf the then luvncibic George th'
Third. who II the end wa~ compelled 10 &C
knowledge tIic .in>;irc 81 those principles t.
all the power. Of the civilized world. W,
submit, th,r. w!irii j. the sectional party
and which is '.it national party, and which
, is conrtndju. FOR the great doctrine Of self
! legislation, ana who against il The trutf
: is. and cannot he -einsaycd, that the demo
cratic party. DOM ~ cver, firmly PLANTED
upon the Constitution, the work OF OH
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% Leo tat U,sn
! our boosted freedom Is all farce.