The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-02-12
THE YOUNGEST CHILD.

w. H. HOLMES.
THE YOUNGEST CHILD.
In due season, and after the accustomed la
Dor, the proud, unterrifed, national Democrat
ic Party of Iowa. has again platformed. The
bantling differs in ne general features, from
the older members of the family. Without
entering into the particulars Of the resemblance,
it is sufficient to say that it is very much like
the others, only, if possible little more So
1t can swagger, put on patriotic airs, talk i'm
pudently and lie with the utmost fuency.--
Especially is it impressed with most pro-
found sense of its own Importance, for IT pro-
claims that the Union depends upon it for its
continued existence. 1t says in the very first
resolution, ssthat the perpetuity of our glori-
GUS Union depends upon faithful adherence
to the doctrines and principles Of the Demo-
cratic Party" A very important question
here arises, and that is, what doctrines are
meant. and which of the Democratic Parties.
Does it mean that portion which is represented
by Gen. Cass, and whose doctrine, they tell US,
is squatter sovereignty, or is the portion repre-
scented by Mr.. McMullen. Mr.. Keitt, Mr..
Brown Of eagle feather notoriety, and Others
who so heartily scout this same doctrine of
squatter sovereignty? Isit that party which in
Pennsylvania crowed SO Justify for Buchanan,
Breckenridge and free Kansas, or does it mean
those Who but recently met in Kansas, and
agreed for the sake Of convenience to change
their name from claw and order" sspro -sla-
very" to "National Democrats?o We are dy-
ing to know which Of these Parties is meant
Having great interest in the union, we really
desire to know what its perpetuity depends
upon. Has the Platform mouth and will it be
30 kind as to tell usp
In Resolution, No. 2, the Platform gives
some useful information, the substance of
which is that the Constitution of the United
States and the laws passed under it. are ade-
quate to remedy all wrongs which may be in
ficted upon the citizens. We shall certainly
not quarrel with it here. The fault has not
been in any want OF Laws, nobody complains
Of the Constitution, but the whole trouble
consists in the failure OF Democratic officials
to execute them. Our Constitution is the best
in the world, and we have plenty of good
and wholesome laws, but most foul admins
traitors. GAY there's the rub.o Consequent
ly the Platform convicts itself, for if the Con-
stitution and Laws are sufficient for the reme-
dy Of the citizens wrongs, so much greater is
the fault which rests with the Democratic Par
ty for suffering SO mahy wrongs to 60 un-
rsmedied.
No. third informs us that the rec emf contest
for President has been one OF s.malignant hos
tility towards the peace and continuance of
the Union" Exactly so, in testimony of
which the Platform might have referred to the
conduct of Wise, Mason, and whole host Of
the shining lights of the great National Demo
cratic Party. 1t then goes on TO reiterate
President Pierce's great fib about the efforts Of
the Republican Party to organize a "foul Sec
tional party, and dissolve the Union" 1t evil
IDENTIFY has forgotten that Democratic Legisla-
lures and conventions were in the habit of en-
gaging in the same business, until very few
years past. 1t should have refreshed its
memory by referring to the many declarations
by the Democratic Party Of the principles, for
which the Republicans are now contending.
1t should be more careful.
In the fourth resolve, it goes in for freedom,
and ssregards the voice of the majority IF the
people when la,cfally expressed in the form of
laps as the true test Of Freedom and frSe
government" The intense admiration enter/
tained by Democrats in general for The bogus
Legislature of Kansas, testifes to their unquali-
fed devotion to the above sentiment.
Then comes the estate pelicy' of the
Democratic Party, which condemns the Legis-
lature for not repeating the Maine Liquor Law.
We beg leave 10 inform the Platform that the
Legislature provided a Liquor Law which the
people of any County if they choose to do SO,
may adopt instead of the present law. 1t then
demolishes the act allowing negroes to testify,
and accuses the Republican Party of an .sevi-
dent hostility and determination to elevate the
negro and put down the white immigrant
+. This is the fimsiest stuff which was ever put
into Platform since Platforms began to be
made. It is the very quintessence Of nom
sense, and would do discredit to any SC hool boy
who might utter it.
LUG huoA punt VI 1cIfIk 1OLiCx-' iStuol
the people Of the Territories have the right to
govern themselves. Does this mean that il is
the policy Of the State OF Iowa, to give the
people of the Territories this right, or what
does it mean? We should really like 10
know.
We miss the customary resolution against
the Know Nothings. What does it mean?-
Is there wedding about to take placer
"Barkes is willing no doubt, but will pegat-
ty consent?
On the whole, it is a great platform, very
well adapted to the National Democratic Par
ty, both in its sense--we should say nonsense,
and in the "style of its phraseclogyo rs a
neighboring Editor would say.
The PowEsHIEK MuRDER.-TEomas, the
man charged with the murder Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Casteel, in Poweshiek couLty, had an exami-
nation on the eth ult., was committed, and
has been taken to Davenport to await bis trial.
This was one of the foulest murders ever per-
petrated, and it is said that the examination
established strong presumptire case against