Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-04-18
The lTessenger,s Platform.
FREMoNr, O., April l6, 1856.

have its political constitution strengthened
with weekly (don't let the boys print /
peakly) double dose of democracy. Wheth
er the medicine dealt out for our politica
ills by the Democrat and Messenger, will
harmonic or prove antagonistic in their ef
feets, remains to be seen. From limite(
experience in the medical line, would sug
gest to them, that if the prescriptions o
the old doctor should puke the patient, ant
those of the other purge him, it might prove
too much for his constitution.
But professional matters aside; it is nat
ural to conclude wher a new democratic pa
per makes its appearance in a county where
one already exists, that the movers believe
themselves capable of enlightening the pub
lie mind. With this fact in view, and be-
ing sadly in the dark in regard to certain
doctrines of modern democracy, I would
like to ask the Messenger few questions.
It adopts without qualification the platform
laid down by the Democratic County Con
vention held in this town, Oct. 20, 1866
1t sets out with the very original and very
striking sentiment that "eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty" Will the Messen-
ger explain what fitness this sentiment has
in the preamble to set of resolutions the
main purpose of which clearly is, to endorse
a scheme for extending slavery into our new
territories? If this sentiment had found a
place in set of resolutions drawn up by
the free settlers of Kansas, who are trying
to exclude slavery from that territory, its
would be clear enough. For,
what less than eternal vigilance will enable
them to establish liberty for all against the
whole power and influence of this Admins
tration? But if the Messenger denies that
the object of the Kansas Nebraska bill was
to introduce slavery into these territories,
then we ask this new organ to tell US why
the whole slaveholding aristocracy are its
supporters3 Wings or Demo
Gratis, Knownothing5 or what not every
STAKEHOLDER and every Shareholders friend
and now supports this scheme to
throw open new territories to slavery.
The platform and the Messenger have a
holy horror of the introduction of moral
and religious questions into political contro-
rersies." We would like to ask the Mes
senger, if it don't like religion in politics,
why its party has always been in close. alli-
ance with the Catholic priesthood? Every
voter knows that with the aid of the priests,
democracy has brought the Catholic popu-
Iation in an almost unbroken mass to the
polls to sustain its nefarious schemes. But
when the people of this country object to
this prostitution Of religious Influence, the
Messenger aud its co-laborers hold up their
hands in horror at the idea of introducing
religious questions into politics. As to
morals, in politics, it is not necessary to ask
Why Nebraska democracy is disgusted at it.
A flon on trial has the same oPinioa Of
morals
But farther, the platform and Messenger
ay down the doctrine ''that the right of the
people of each particular State or territory,
o establish their own constitution or form
# government, to choose and regulate their
,wn domestic Institutions of every kind, and
o logislate for themselves, is fundament-
i principle of all free governments; that it
5 the self same right. to secure which our
ancestors waged the war of the Revolution,
/ right recognized in the Declaration of III
DC" A few questions on this.
Docs the Messenger mean to assert that
he right of a people, that is majority of
curse, to establish their own form of gov
rnment and domestic institutions, is an uq-
United right? Have a majority of the peo-
lie of this State a right to change their
orm of government to a monarchy? Have
hey right to introduce slavery, and in or
Ter to effect this may they rightfully reduce
portion of our own people (say the
rec bIacks) to seryitude? Docs the Con
titution of the United States or national
aw give to the majority any such right as
his
Docs not the Messenger see that if there
) grain of common sense in the five words !
f its platform, they can only mean that
majority have the right to establish their
wn form of government and domestic in
titutions, NTH tbs limitation, that the gov
rnment so established shall not invade
be natural rights, such as life, liberty, and /
he pursuit of happiness, for the protection
which government exists And if the /
ght of majority is thus limited, under what
retence will the Messenger Justify the claim
sets up that majority Of the people of
Iansas have a right to introduce slavery
here! So clear is it that a majority have /
o such right, that there is not in all the
lws and constitutions of America, state or
ational, single attempt to establish slave
Y on legal foundation. There are laws
nough to protect slave property, but none
} establish slavery. Such formal outrage
$ this would be has never been attempted,
ven in a slave state 1t has been reserved
,r the sham democracy of the north to as