Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-09-12
THE nInATrs-rIIEIE pOSIrrnN.

THE CANDIDATES-TIIEIR POSITION
Three candidates are before the people
of these United States for the highest Office
in their gift. The only live question in
volved in this electionis this :-aShall slave
ry be permitted to extend itself into all the
territory which is the common inheritance
: of the nation?" Every southern press and
all parties at the south declare this to be
the only issue now before the people. The
northern Buchanier and Fillmore press are
doing their utmost to befog the people and
hide the real issue. They tell the people
that they are for the Constitution and the
Union. Under such vague generalties they
seek to hide their purpose, to yield to the
south all its demands, and to sanction the
spread of slavery by popular vote and the
authority of the national government. Up
on this question of slavery their is no mis-
taking the position of the candidates.
Platform Buchanan says that neither the
United States government nor the people
ola territory, shall "interfere" to shut slave
ry out of any territory TIL 1t adopts a State
constitution. This is all the slave breeders
want, for slave territory always becomes a
slave state. Accordingly the position of
platform Buchanan gives entire satisfaction
to the most ultra southern slave extension
lists, such as Toombs, Stephens, Brooks,
JEFF Davis, and the Richmond Enquirer
They say that even Calhoun's position was
not more acceptable to the south than is
that of Platform Buchanan. Every man
therefore who votes for James Buchanan,
votes side by side, with such men as we
have named above to extend slavery with
out limit, and this in the name of demoeracyI
Millard Fillmore is the candidate of the
South Americans and of such northern men
as can be cheated by a noncommital and
pretended Union saving policy, Mr.. Fill
more landed at New York from Europe a
few weeks since, and made speeches in all
the principal cities till he reached his home
in Buffalo. In all these speeches there was
an ominous silence on the only live issue of
this campaign. Mr.. Fillmore had not
word to say against the slavery extending
policy of his southern supporters; not word
in favor of making freedom and not slavery
the policy of this nation. This silence is
ominous. 1t is if possible more significant
than an open declaration in favor of the ex-
tension of slavery like that of Platform Bu-
chanan. The man who dare not speak
word in favor Of liberty and against the
spread of slavery before election, would not
dare do anything for freedom and against
slavery after election. So faras the spread
of slavery is concerned the election of Fill
more would answer the purposes Of the
south as well as that of Buchanan. Ae-
cordingly the supporters of Fillmore in the
south, feeling that there is no hope for their
candidate, going in a body for Bachan-
an. 1t will be clear before November, that
no southern State will give him an electoral
vote. He is continued in the canvass for
the sole purpose of Withdrawing votes from
Fremont. 1t would be we'll for the north
ern men who have been inclined to support
Fillmore, to consider well what they ought
to do when his southern friends are leaving
him for Buchanan. The elections held thus
far in southern states have resulted in the
overwhelming defeat of the south Ameri-
cans.
Of the position of Col. Fremont on the
question of extending slavery, it is scarcely
necessary to speak. He declares himself
''inhexibly opposed tot the extension of slave
ry." The platform Of the party which sup
ports him, declares it to be equally uncon-
stitutional and impolitic to allow slavery to.
pass beyond its present limits. He who
votes for Fremont, therefore, votes to con
fine slavery within its present bounds. He
votes to shut out this desOlating curse from
all the territories of the Republic. He votes
to make that freedom which Wash
ington, Jefferson, Madison and Jackson
loved, the fundamental law of every new
state which shall be received into this con-
federacy.
ALAS! FOR KANSAS!