The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-08-26
ADDREss OF THE DEMOCRACY OF
INGIIAM COUNTY.

FsILow CIrIzENs:-We propose to ad-
dress YOU rs Democrats on the subject OF De- !
mocracy and our country.
Principles never change. The fundament-
al principles of Democracy are the same to-
day as in the days of Jefferson and Madison
Through all the mutations of parties, tho
same great landmarks remain, and though
they may for time be lost sight Of they
are in the end sure to re-appeart and receive
the support of all good men. What was
Democratic half century agois Democratic
to-day, and what was antagonstic to De-
mocracy then is equally hostile to it now
Keeping in mind this fact, of the immutabill-
tv Of the fundamental principles of Democ-
racy, we ask you, fellow Democrats, to brief
ly review with us the past history of our par
ty. It's career has been glorious one. II
il has not always been exactly right, 1t is
gratifying to know that it has seldom been
wrong. No Democrat need blush to recount
its history. Founded by the patriot fathers
of revolutionary days, deeply imbued with
the spirit of that age and of the mon who
risked their all for their country's veal, it en-
tered upon its career with faith and pa
triotism which promised and achieved eminent
success. 1t sought by faithfulness to the
Constitution, by careful guardianship of the
rights of the people, and by Judiclous and
economical administration of public affairs to
promote the welfare and prosperity OF our
widespread and rapidly developing country.
1t was emphatically the party of the people,
seeking their good, and consequently reeelv-
ing their support Guided by wise and pa
triotic men, it regarded country vastly more
than party, and achieved and retained pow
4 IL tI1o,. thar, hy nh
canery and deceit.
Such was the Democratic party-onr par
ty-in the, days of jefferson, Madison, Mon
roe, Jackson, and Van Buren. 1t had prin-
ciples then-generous, noble, holy principles
and those principles were justly regarded
as immutable. They constituted and word
the very essence of Democracy, and without
them no man imagined that a party could
rightfully claim the Democratic name. With
that party it has been our pride and pleasure
to be identified in political action, and we
have looked with proud satisfaction on the
influence it has exered upon the public policy
of the nation.
But gradual, and most unfortunate and
unwe lcome, change has taken place. Step
by step. and often by gradations so trifiing as
for the time TO pass unno.iced, the Democrat
ic party has forsaken its ancient landmarks,
re,udacd the doctrines of its earlier and
better DAYS, and embraced, in some impor-
tant respects, Others utterly at variance with
those which its founders taught, and in the
r. practice of which It's highest success was
), achieved. OF late this change has been rap
ia aud alarming, and point is now reached
= which we dare not pass.
"A Hitherto we have not complained True,
we may not have been always fully satisfied
y, with the action of the party, but what party
,r has been faultless! We have sought with
- Others to correct slight errors and abuses in the
party, and through the party to correct ma
tioual wrongs and secure national prosperity
But recently this party of ours which We
> have ever revered and cherished, has commit
< ted great wrong, and our supplications fol
p" redress are disregaTded. A very brief surve.
Of the action of the General Government
-. will show in what this great wrong consists
he and how it has been contaminated.
w. It is well known that the Democracy c
.s5 s the early days of the Republic regarde,
Us Slavery as a great moral, social, and polit
cal evil. STILL with a most commendabl
rae,ord Ear tho poacn nf the country. and "a
the feelings and rights of the people OF tn
southern portion of the confederacy, they r'
Trained from any effort at the abolition of
v system they so cordially hated They onl
I'd. said ''let this system of oppression spread Il
farther" To this the shareholders themselvC
so, ans agreed, and law was passed forever prC
hibiting Slavery in the Territory north-we
the the of the Ohio River, being all the territol
be then under the control of the Federal Go
ernment Thus in the very outset, the al
we'd. thoritv of the General Government to pr
lone hibit Slavery and guarantee freedom to q
Spr- Territories, was fully recognized This r
= cogntiou was by the Democratic party,
Fl the founders of the Government, and by Il
trainers of the Constitutions; and we b
49,. state historical fact, which no intellige
man will question, and which is susceptit
issss tSre of demonstration, when we say that eve
safe safe Democratic President, down to and includi
Cash Cash James X. Polk, has, by his official acts, Fl
" and unreservedly acknowledged the a
TX thority of Congress over Slavery in the Ter
tories The power of Congress was ney
doubted. The Courts, even in tho slaychol
pre-. pre-. inc States have recognized this authori
the and held the ordinance Of 1887 valid. L
ae[ psD of late new doctrine has been broach'
rders and unfortunately for the success and hon
of the Democratic party, and the peace a
thoy happiness OF our beloved country, our le'
L. 80. ers have seen fit to adopt it, and reject
-s. principle which had guided and governed
:, so wisely heretofore It is now said by
u political leaders, that Congress has not
". constitutional power to prohibit Slavery
the Territories.
a Ba The application of the prohibitory ella
70. in the bill organizing the Territory of Q
Ds gon, and to that part Of Texas north of
deg. 80 min, the admission Of California
9N. Free State, and the acknowledged fo
81 81. : and supremacy of the Merican laws agai
by al Slavery involuntary servitude in New M
On. leo and Utah, while in Territorial condi.i
oN. ,sNSS served in measure to quiet the appreh
- sions Of the Free States, and prepare
dbers, public mind for acauiescence in the conn