Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-06-04
LocnFncO CONSISTENCY.

Hamlet. Doyou sec yonder cloud that's almost
in shape of camcl2 s4.
PoI6.lins By the mass, and tbs like a camel,
indeed
Ham Meihinks il is like weasel.
Pol 1t is backed like weasel,
H1n Or like whale
Pol Very like whale! IsHAKEsPEARE-
1t is nothing uncommon to hear Locofcco
papers charging those opposed to the Pierce
Democracy with acting inconsistently, and
claiming that the Democratic is the only up
right and Straightforward party in the country.
These are, however, mere asseverations, un-
accompanied by substantiatipg testimony. 1t
is thought, OF the other hand, that the char
ges which they are so ready to make against
others, might perhaps be more applicably made
against their own party During the last eight
er ten years, the course pursued by the De-
mocracy of Pennsylvania, on the slavery ques
ton, has been such can, We think, reason
ably be termed inconsistent. In lS49, reso-
luton was adopted by them in their State Con-
vention. in which they s're-declare that slave
~ is domestic and local institution of the
South, subject to State legislation alone,
and with which the general governments has
Z. nothing TO do. Wherever the State law ex-
tends its jurisdiction, the local Institution
can continue to exist. Esteenliag IL rioEa-
tion Of State rights 10 carry ii beyond State linn
IFS, tre deny The Pocer Of any citizen 10 ertead
'' fhe area Of bondage beyond as present donin
ion, nor do iCe consider ii part Of fIe comPro
r1ises Of the Constitution that Siartry should
s' foreCer frqrei 1giLh The advancing columns Of
our territorial progress That is what the
Democracy of this State said in 1919. Read it
aud ponder it as yeu may, it cannot be regard
ed in any other light than as Freesoil doctrine
or, as they are pleased to term it, crank Abo-
litionfsnr." 5" esBy the mass, and tits like a
camel, indeed"
In 1854, the Democratic party in Pcnnsylva-
MIA tackled about little, relying "upon the
compromise of 1856 as final adjustment Of
q the Fexed and dangerous question: and in
1855 recognized no geographical lines be-
tween North and South - declared that the in
terests Of all parts OF the Union were the same
to them, and recognized ssin its widest extent
the principle OF popular sovereignty in the
territories.' This position was regarded, at
that time, as problematical in its meaning, and
was evidently designed to gull both Northern
and Southern voters. La fact, sit is back ed
like weasell''
But it was in 1856, the present year, thai
the Pennsylvania portion OF the ''great nation
ri Democratic party took the leap which
landed them in the midst Of the slough Of Sla
very propagandism. At their State Conyen
tiol, held some time since, they resolved
9 that in thc repeal OF the act known as th(
9 Missouri ComEremisc act, and the passage
&. of the act organizing the territories Of Kan
{: sas and Nebraska, free from demonstrations
restrictions. the last Congress performed
q" work of patriotic sacrifice in meeting tn,
g demands of sectional excitement by unSha
Eken adherence to the fundamental law.''-
If they would have said that ga work of pa
triotic sacrifice had been performed by meet
ing the demcRds q HE Stare porer, the ide
would have been better expressed. "a worl
OF patriotic sacrifice y indeed, which has beel
the cause Of all the troubles in those terrific
rics, of the destruction OF private property
and Of the shedding Of innocent blood i
Kansas, and which has brought our countr
to the verge Of civil war. And this is sane
teaed by the Democracy of this State! An
how, in doing this. does their position accor
with the views they held in l649? OF trutl
IT is nov s.rery life trAGle ~