Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-03-21
4 letter from p. p. Rlair. Jr.

To the Editor Of the Missouri Democrat.
have observed in several of the city
papers notice of my appointment upon a
committee, by the Republicans, at their re-
cent Convention at Pittsburg. 1 have no
information of such an appointment but
/ this announcement, and the comment with
which 1t is accompanied makes it necessary
for me to say that no person has authority
to assign me any position different from
that which have always occupied. ! am
and ever have been Democrat Of the Jack
son and Benton school, and do not intend
/ to abandon that faith, or surrender that
proud title
Although I have been frank and open in
the expression of my sentiments, l cannot
flatter myself that they have possessed suf-
ticient Importance to make them generally
known even in the community in which l
live. Since, therefore, the papers of tie
city blye seen proper to make my position
the subject of comment, hope l 81 all be
pardoned for putting the matter il such
form as will leave no room for doubt OF mis-
representation.
ts4Al HNlI ttN are llldtl liz SGTNllC IOOlS OF
the present administration have sought to
prescribe every Democrat who opposes It's
dogmas upon the question of slavery in the
Territories, and the Kansas act. / know too,
that, by the same test Mr.. Jefferson, and
the illustrious statesmen of every age of the
Republic, would be excluded from the party
which they founded and made triumphant.
The success which has attended the admin
istration in this effort, serves TO illustrate
the servility of those who have so readily
adopted its dogmas, and will teach lesson
of caution to the honest Democracy when
| they shall again be tempted to place rene
gades and demagogues in power. But the
platforms tinkered up by Mr.. Pierce, Mr..
Douglas, and Mr.. Gushing, will never super
sede the principles inculcated by Mr.. Jeffer-
son, nor will these worthless be likely to take
his place in the hearts of Democracy.
I hare no hesitation IN ayoDiag that I
'0as opposed to the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise, and that I an an ftayor of ats
restoration. ] maintained this position
when a candidate before the people of this
county for the Legislature, and whilst a
member of that body l held the same
ground. 1t is due alike to the honor and
interests of both of the great sections of the
country. The Compromise was in the ma
ture Of bargain or compact between the
slaveholding and non-slaveholding States,
and it concerns the honor Of both that it
should be held sacred. It was made at the
instance of the South, by the earnest labors
of her greatest and best men. The South
has received and long enjoyed the portion
set over to her by this solemn agreement,
and it concerns her honor most nearly that
it should be performed in letter and spirit
The violation of the Compromise by South
ern votes, is a stain upon the honor of the
South, which can only be removed by its
/ full and complete restoration.
l hold, moreover, that the Compromise
was just and fair, at the time it was made
1t was appropriate, equitable and honorable
mode of adjusting the dispute which at that
time arose in reference to the division of the
Territory. The Territory belonged to the
nation, but by reason Of a supposed or real
incompatibihty in the institutions of the two
great sections of the nation, it could not be
enjoyed by the slaveholding and non-sIave-
holding States in common The Territory
was therefore divided between them. This
was what the plain common sense and COM
mon honesty of the case required.
The South said to the North, in the Ian
guage of the Patriarch: Let there be
no strife, l pray thee, between thee
and me, and between thy herdman and
my herdmen-tor are are brethren. Is
not the whole land before thee? Separate
thyself pray thee, from me. If thou wilt
take the left hand, then 1 VIII 90 to the
right, or if thou depart to the right hand,
then will go to the left. In thisspirit the
Territory was apportioned, and the South
was more than satisfied. It was a triumph
for her, and it was the glory of the great
Southern statesmen, Lowndes, Pinkney,
Clay, and others, by whom it was accom-
plished. 1t was something of which these
truly great men might veil be proud; for
whilst the division of the Territory between
the North and South was fair and honora-
bic in itself, it also quieted the strife then
raging wildly, and threatening disaster to
the country.
The rule of common sense and common
honesty which would dictate an aqual divis-
ion of property owned by two individuals,
but which they could not Jointly occupied
in peace and harmony, applies with still
greater force, under the circumstances, to
nations and communities 1t is the path
of wisdom and safety in things both great
and small. 1t is plain and obvious in the
ordinary affairs of life. 1t is the most con-
sumate wisdom and the lofiest statesman
ship when applied to the affairs of nations.
Those who disregard it in their daily walks
are looked upon as knaves and simpletons,
and those who violate it in affairs of State
are as much worse as the mischief, which it |
surely entails is the more widely extended. |
Not only has the honor of the South been
tarnished by this departure on the part of
our representatives from every principle of
fair dealing but in my Judgment it is
heavy blow to the best interests of the
Southern people. The cessation of slavery
aggitation and the good will and friendship of
our neighbors in the free States, are essen
tial to the security of slavery property and
our own repose. This fatal act has aroused
the widest excitement converted our
staunchest friends into bitter enemies, and
o-;,,or, oxistorca 70 q ,,artv- which ,,D1aSs M