The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-24
THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IN OHIO.

having been absent from our post so long;
We are scarcely familiar with the peculiar fea-
lures Of the political campaign now in progress
in several leading States. In Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania, the Republican movement is so
complicated and embarrassed by Know Moth
ingism, that we feel at liberty to do little more
than record events, leaving to those more imme-
diately interested the task of commenting upon
them. In Ohio, we see our way more clearly.
Whatever may have been the combination in
that State which first overthrow the Slave De
mocracy, the element that now organizes,
shapes, and controls it, is Republicanism. The
Republican Party Of Ohio is the Party of Free
dom and Progress, and finds its fit representa-
tive and candidate in SALMON P. CHASE, whose
position in regard to the Rights of Man, with
out respect Of race, country, or religion, has
been too long known and steadfastly maintain
ed, without compromise or mystifcstion, to be
misunderstood. OF his uprightness, wisdom,
AID solid craftsmanship, there is and can be no
question and of his reelection there can be no
doubt, # all lchO desire that ecert, SCiU take the
requisite measures TO secure u. But, there must
be hO apathy, no false security, no running of
upon subordinate issues. The Republican
Party in Ohio cannot afford to lose a single
voter. In Maine, it was so confident of success,
that thousands who had been drawn out at the
Presidential election, this fall staid at home
leaving the victory to be won by their more
jealous associates. The result was, not a de-
feat-that could not be appreherded, so great
was the ascendency of the Party-but, greatly
reduced majority, furnishing the Slave Democ-
racy with incentives to renewed effort in other
States The Republican Party in Ohio cannot
afford to lose one Of its last years voters. Let
no selfindulgent Republican imagine that, after
all, his vote will not be needed. In ordinary
elections the Party in power at the seat of the
General Government always holds the vantage
ground. To it belong the Postmasterg, the
Collectors, the Msrshals, the Deputy Marshals,
all the ofice-holders or office-seekers, an army
of organized file leaders; to say nothing of the
Federal patronage, always potential. Repubi-
canism must know, that whoever may be hating
among them, there will be no laggards among
their opponents.
Then as to the igsue-after ali, it is National
one. This fact invests the struggle with its real
Importance. What 10 this issue2 The Presi
dent himself shall define it. In his letter to
Professor Silliman, referring to the passage Of
the Kansas Nebraska act, he says:
" Slarery eriSted at that period, and still err
ists, an Kansas, Under the Constitution of the
United States. This point has been at last
finally settled by the highest tribunal knOoCn to
lars. HOl0 Il could eUer hare been serious
ly doubted IS a mystery. # confederation
Of SODereign States acquire a rae1o TERRITORY, al
the expense Of their common blood and treasure
surely one set OF the partners can hare no riqht
to exclude the other from ats enjoyment by pro
hiJiting them from taking into a aohateUer is
recognised to be property by the common Con
StitutiOn. But when the people-the bona fde
residents of such Territory-proceed to frame
State Constitution, then it is their right to
decide the important question for themselves,
whether they will continue, modify, or abolish
Slavery. To them, and to them alone, does
this question belong, free from all foreign inter
ference"
Such sentiments were not preached by James
Buchanan during the Presidential canvass
Opinions precisely the reverse were maintained
by his Northern and Western supporters. 1t was
held by them generally that Slavery did not ex.
list in Kansas, and could not exist there, or in
any Territory of the United States, except by
positive law. They insisted that the People Of
aTerritory, tbroughtheir Territorial Legislature,
could prohibit Slavery, and that this doctrine
was the true foundation of Freedom in the Ter.
ritories. And not line could be drawn from
Mr.. Buchanan, indicating a contrary opinion.
Now, he tells US that it Is a mystery to him how
doubted. Now, we learn from his letter, that
he always believed that Slavery existed in all
Territory of the United States by force of the
Constitution, which recognises slaves as prop
erty, just as it recognises any other property
q dogma originating in the extreme Southern
School. Now, we learn that Mr.. Buchanan
holds that the only Power able to prohibit SIa
very in Territory, is the People, at the time
they come to form a State Constitution, and
not before
We ask any candid Democrat in Ohio, had
Mr.. Buchanan proclaimed these views before
the election, could he have been elected Nay
had he been known to entertain such doctrines,
would he have received the nomination at Gin
cinnsti? You supposed you were securing a
Popular-Soveregnty candidate and 10! you
helped to elect Calhoun Propagandist To.
day, if Mr.. Buchanan's dogmas be true, Slavery
exists in every Territory of the Union in virtue
of the Constitution, under its guarantees
Oregon, in Washington, in Nebraska, in Kan
sas, in New Mexico in Utah-sye, and exists
in all beyond the power of Court, Congress, or
Territorial Legislature. To the avowal of
this abominable doctrine, he is emboldened
By the decision of the Supreme Court He
tells us it has been finally settled by the high
est tribunal known to our laws aud this in
view of the solemnly-recorded declarations of
Justices Mclean and Curtis, that all that the
Supreme Court said upon that subject was
a dictum and nothing else. For, how could
they decide what was not legitimstely before
them?
People of Ohio, you are then called upon TO
decide upon a great National issue. If you
vote for Mr.. Chase, you say that Slavery can
exist only by positive law-that the Constitu-
= ton of the United States does not recognise
slaves as property, and carry Slavery into all
Territory of the Union-and that the Legisla-
ture of a Territory, while it is Territory, may
positively interdics its existence therein. If
you vote for his opponent, you vote for the
doctrines and policy of the Calhoun Slavery
Propagandists, and do what you can to ally
Ohio to the cause of Negro Slavery.
This is not all. The Kansas Question is still
Joo;1oJ. 20 q oraat eYtant II oap ha &C