Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-07-11
INNS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

and thereby divide the Union. We have
hitherto failed to see in single Buchanier-
ing paper at the north, an argument to JUS
tify before the people the two great planks
of their platform: viz, that the nation has
the right to seize on territory which the
slave-driyers think they need for the protec-
ton or extension of slavery; and that the
people of territory have the right to estab-
hsh slavery among their domestic institu-
tions. VIII either or both Of the Buchan-
iering papers in this town do us the favor
to set forth the arguments with which they
hope to persuade the people that these
planks are sound?
The republicans, however, dare set forth
distinctly the measures they advocate, and
the reasons which justify them. The fol-
lowing are the leading aims set forth in tie
platform of the republican party.
1. To reassert the principles of the Dec
laration of Independence and of the Consti-
tuition, and to bring back the administration
of the government to a conformity with
them. That the party in power has depart
ed widely from their principles, none can
doubt who know anything of the men and
times of the Revolution. By a process
which F. P. Blair has most clearly set forth,
the democratic party, and with it the gov
crnment itself, has fallen into the hands of
that school of southern ultra slavery propa-
gandists, of which Calhoun was tho great
founder.
By the two-thirds rule these slavery oil
garchs have secured to themselves the alb
solute control of the democratic party. No
man and no measure can stand which does
not meet with their approval. Hence the
subserviency of the unprineipled northern
politicians to the slave power. Having Sc
cured this control of the democracy, the
southern ultraists have forced upon that par
ty policy utterly abhorrent to the Deelar-
alton and the Constitution; the policy of
carrying slavery by right wherever the flag
of the nation foats;-a policy which trans
forms us at once into nation which under
the forms of repubhcanism spreads and
maintains despotism more grinding than
exists in Turkey or Algeirs. Fproof is de-
manded that this is the policy which de-
mocracy advocates, let their platform an
swer; let enslayed and subdued Kansas
speak; let the fact that no man can hold
the meanest federal office from Maine to
Georgia, who dare open his mouth against
the extension of slave territory. Now does
it require any argument to show that such
a policy as this departs wholly from the
Declaration and the Constitution? Does
this policy accord with the doctrine that all
men are inalienably entitled to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness? Is it in
agreement with that other fundamental
doctrine that for the preservation of these
great rights governments are established
among men?
The republican party have resolved to
bring back the government to the policy of
the fathers. We ask no interference with
slavery in the states. But We know it to
have been the policy of the fathers to Sc
cure all the national territory to freedom,
and We are resolved that this shall be again
the settled policy of this government. We
concede to our southern brethren all the
rights We ask for ourselves. They may free
ly emigrate to the territories and take with
them all that we can take there; themselves,
their families, their cattle, their goods;
their slaves too, if they choose, but no long
er to be slaves there. We will not consent
that under the name of republicanism slave
~ shall be extended. We will not permit
ourselves to be disgraced in the eyes of all
mankind by extending slavery, when the
Turk and the Moor are abolishing it We
will not have the new territories made I'M
inhabitable by laboring white men, because
of the degradation of assoeiating with slave
labor
2. Republicans are resolved by a return
to the policy which was established by the
founders of this government, to preserve the
Constitution and the Union. When the
policy which the slavery propogandists have
forced upon the democratic party, shall be-
como the settled policy of this government
the Constitution will bo already destroyed.
The form may remain but the spirit will
have departed. With the established as
condancy of the slave power, will come in
despotism which vii! treat freedom-loving
men as they have been treated in Kansas,
which will silence free speech as Brooks 81
lenced Sumner, which will value the lives
of the people as Keating's life was valued.
What will remain of the Constitution but
the mockery of name under such system
as this? How long can the Union stand
with the aristocracy of $4,000 slavehold-
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