Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-08-21
TO THE PUBLIC.

- 4AG 4 u II A1Cs
In presenting to the public the first num-
Der of the @Holmes County Republican, y
we propose briefly to indicate the policy
we intend to support and the course we
design 10 pursue. In so doing we deem
it unnecessary to review the history, or to
note the various positions of the old polit-
cal parties, as announced in their national
platforms, or exemplifed in their practical
legislation on the subject of Slavery, which
now SO seriously menaces the peace and
harmony Of the whole country.
Limiting our view to the great issues of
the present Campaign, upon the result of
which we belive to be staked one of the
most vital principles of this great and hith-
erto highly prosperous nation.
The institution of American Slavery
unfortunately existing at the organization
of cur Government, deplored as misfor-
tune, stain and a curse, but regarded as
temporary and destined to speedy ex-
tinction, has, through the corruption of
power and the tyranny Of many, by con-
slant, gradual, and insidious approaches,
attained aposition, an influence and pos
tive power in the legislation of the coun-
try which was never anticipated by its
founders. And instead of meeting with
what was regarded as its manifest des-
tiny, aspires to be National Institution,
and claims the fostering care and protec-
tion Of the national government as such.
81 Deeply imbued with the sentiment of
freedom so clearly and forcibly expressed
in the Declaration of our Independence,
the Fathers of the Republic confidently
looked 10 the gradual Elimination, and f.
nal happy termination of this, then local
institution, in the triumph of the great
experiment of a free government, based
upon the self-evident, equal and unaliena-
Bile rights of man as man.
Though they did not recognize Slavery
as national, and without, in fact at all re-
cognizing, they yet tolerated it as local
institution. We will not question the pol
icy then pursued-we wage no political
war against itas it was tolerated as a local
or as State institution. IA .r.
We are unwilling to disturb any of the
guarantees Of the Constitution. We dis
claim any intention to interfere with it in
any State of this Union. We have no
sympathy with any who desire such legis-
lative interference by Congress,
The condition of the institutions so DIFF
ferent from what was regarded as its man
ifest destiny, having extended its area and
grown into formidable power, instead of
diminishing in extent and influence, fur
nishes powerful demonstration of the
danger of temPorizing with evil, and COM
promising fundamental principles.
Relying on. the patriotism of the people
of the Northern States, and their deep
and abiding devotion to the Union, the
Slave power has made demand after de-
mand of them, and reshired concession
after concession, and dissolution Of the
Union the alternative. 1t assumes to say
what shall and what shall not be done
within the limits. Of constitutional legis-
lation, and that, unless its demands are
obeyed, this Union shall be dissolved
And they charge upon that portion of the
people of this Government, who deny that
they have a right to make any such alter
native and who refuse a servile obedience
to their commands, a want of fidelity to
the Union-that they are disunionists.
Rhe Republican party do not upon any
contingency, upon the adoption of any poll
cy or constitutional Legislation whatever,
propose to dissolve, or permit the Union
TO be dissolved. "The Union must and
shall be preserved" is one of the planks
of its platform, and it will labor with an
earnest purpose to put down the spirit Of
disunion, in whatever quarter it may arise
Notwithstanding departure from the
early policy of our government upon the
subject of slavery had changed its tenden-
ey, and given it strength and power to the
imminent danger of our free institutions
we were yet disposed, even after the pass