True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-07-02
The Past, Present and Future.

assembled at Baltimore on the first day
Of June, 1852, and after nominating
Pierce and King, adopted a platform, in
which was this plank:
" RESOLVED, That the Democratic par
~ will resist all attempts at renewing, IN
Congress or out Of it, the agitation OF
the Slavery question under whatever
shape or color the attempt may be made"
Deceived by this semblance Of faith
fulness on the part of the Democracy, and
believing that Democratic administration
would faithfully carry out the resolution
and the article Of the platform just quo
ted, thousands of conservative men,
Whics, old enemies of the Democracy,
men opposed to fanaticism and sectional
strife, came forward and supported the
Democratic Presidential candidate. This
was one great reason why Franklin Pierce
received his election! Let us see what
followed.
MIR. Pierce commenced his administra-
ton with the best wishes of his country.
men. The Union WAS in state of har-
mony, North and South. Congress
assembled; and then was the duplici'y,
the falsity Of Democracy exposed by one
ofits chief fleaders. Stephen A. Douglas
came forward and introduced bill for
the organization Of Kansas and Nebraska
Territories; a bill which not only pro
posed a useless measure, but which
struck down a compact between the
North and the South, concerning the very
question which the Democratic party had
Just promised not to "agitate" There
was no necessity at that time for a bill Or
ganizing the above Territories. They
possessed no inhabitants Of any amount
A few hunters and squatters dwelt upor
the almost untrodden regions beyond tht
Mississippi. The bill was not demanded
BY settlers nor by the interest OF govern
ment.
Over the soil which Mr.. Douglas wish
ed to place under territorial government
there was a sacred compact which declar
ed that Slavery should never exist mort
of certain line. That compact was tn
result of long deliberation, and mutu'
concessions on the part Of the North an
South. Wise men labored 10 enact an
maintain it. Pa triotic statesmen ga'
il their cordial adherence: No man ha
dreamed Of tearing it with ruthless han
away. There was TOO much honor at IL
South for such course 10 be propose
Il required Northern Democrat, rutl
less demagogue as ever acted in polite
life, 10 come forward and thus renew II
flames of discord in our laud,
It was then that Mr.. Pierce had an o
portunity offuIfIling one important pied
of,he platform on which he was chose
if no more. Here was the occasion t
him TO carry out the instructions OF
Democratic nomination and in the Ia
guage Of the resOhtion-'r resist all
tempts at renewing, in Congress or
oft the agitation of the Slavery gu
ton, under whatever shape or form
attempts may be made But Mr.. Pie
did not do this, nor did his party requ
it. Some Democrats were found "
expressed their disappointment and
dignation at the Executive action. 80
Democratic presses raised their vol
against this open violation Of the DE
oOcra.ic platform, but majority Of
party made no objections to the act,
on the contrary supported II.
Y The Kansas bill passed. The A
sour Compromise, which John Q. I
hoon had declared sacred and invlola
was mad, null and void. Mr. Doug
bill, besides d"iDg this, contained c'a'
directly relating to Slavery. Tbe n
was long and bitter before the acI beca
alaw, and from the moments 1T was sign
Frall1lin Pierce began to fall in the G
nation Of his people, while the nam'
Douglas became an object OF public so'
or the events which followed, III
necessary to speak. The land has ech
with agitation Countless demons
lions Of ngeraud regret have been q