Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-09-17


the principles involved by loading down our
party and its adherents with abuse.
Their leading declaration; their battle-cry;
that from which they are calculating to make
the most political capital: "That the demo-
cratic party is slavery extension party; that
the only question is one Of freedom or slave
ry," is falsehood SO bad and infamous that
it should blister the tongue of the dema-
gogue and liar who uses it.
The democratic party are in favor OF al
lowing the citizens of the Territories FREE
DOM TO GOVERN THEMSELVES
Therefore, say the fusionists, they want to
extend slavery. There is logic for YOU'LL!
But let us see to which party in the Northern
States these charges of doughfaceism and sub
serviency are applicable. First every person
must admit that mans hopes of political
advancement, in this country, rest entirely
upon the action of his constituents, residents
of his own State or district A resident of
Michigan cannot look to Carolina, or any 9th
er State than his own, for political elevation
Except he be a Presidential aspirant). He
must depend entirely upon his influence at
home, among his immediate friends and fell
low-citizens; and for any person to claim
that Representative in Congress is actuated
by policy in voting contrary to the feelings
or wishes of his constituents, in favor OF
section from which he has or can have moth
ing to hope for as politician is simply abb
surd. Let us take home illustration that
we all can understand: Was it subserviency
in SAMUEL GLAMOUR best Representative
in Congress-to vote for a law which he
knew would defeat him in his own district at
the next election? Was it doughfaceiSm in
him to insist that the doctrine of Non-Inter-
vention should be frankly expressed in the
resolutions of the Congressional Convention
that nominated HIM two years ago, knowing
as he did, and as know he said that it des-
troyed bis last chance of election? But he
wanted the PRINCIPLE recognized; and
his is parallel case to scores that might be
cited of democratic members of Congress
who sacrificed themselves as politicians for
the support of a righteous doctrine.
The feeling of hostility to slavery is one Of
the strongest in the bosoms of northern men.
1t is right it should be. We all sympathize
with it. But it is taken advantage of by our
opponents to create prejudice and i'll feeling
against the southern half of our Union
And the democratic party have to contend
with this prejudice, this hatred, that it may
not swell to a fearful tide and sweep away
the barriers which the trainers of our consti-
tuition built to preserve our government. Did
they choose to join the cry, the senseless and
rnmeaning howl of the shriekers, "Down
with slavery" can any one doubt that most
Of the office seekers and holders, now in the
republican ranks, would be jostled from their
places to make way for the more capable and
eminent men to be found in the democratic
party. Ours is an old party. 1t bears upon
its front the scars obtained i'll warfare Of
half a century. Our men are trained. Oul
forces are organized. Our leaders are expert
enced acquainted with all the tactics per-
tanning to party organization and efficiency
Theirs is new party, barely three years old
New measures have brought forward new
men; men that had not the Missouri Com
promise Line been repealed, and fight had
in Kansas, would never have been awakened
| from their dreams of fanaticism and aboli-
tionism and allowed the privilege by being
brought into public life of attempting tc
make them come to pass. Between two such
parties, did they pander alike to the prejudic.
es of the people, can any one doubt that sue
! cess would be with the first. Then it follows
as an irresistible inference that the democrat
ic party if beaten in the north will owe theil
defeat to combating views which their con.
stituents maintain, and they will fall in the
fight in defence of principle alone, being alb
solutely precluded from any hope of advan.
tage coming from those Southern States
whose constitutional rights they are endeav.
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