Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-11
To the Editor of the Belmont Chronicle:

To the EditoT oj fhc Belmont ChronlcLe:
SIR-As we are approaching State and
county canvass, propose to look on the po-
liticaI forces of last canvass, and see how
the battle is likely TO go if each party keeps
up its independent movements, as in last
campaign. The result, so fsr as our county
is concerned, is apparent. The Democracy
must elect every officer in the county, and
their prospects for success in the State is
better than we should wish it TO be. The
aim Of the Democratic party will then evil
IDENTIFY be to keep the supporters of Dir.
Fillmore and those of Mr.. Fremont in the
last campaign still separate, knowing that
if they unite Democracy must fall. but if
they are divided Democracy may succeed.
propose TO inquire whether there is any,
thing in the principles of either the Ameri-
can or Republican parties that need keep
them apart; and shall only speak Of The
parties here at home, and when | say party
of course | mean the elements that compose
those parties.
Now the distinctive feature of the Amer
csn party, as | understand it, is its Ameri
canism. That party claims that we should
not elevate to Offices of "p' wer, profit and
trust" in our government men who owe an
a egance to the Pope of Rome higher than
to our laws and Constitution. They claim
also that foreigners coming to our shores
from the Old WOr d should understand our
institutions before they are permitted to
NEEDLE with them. They seek to guard the
bailot-box against Popish and foreign lnfiu-
ence. They claim that no State has the
that privilege by The General Government
ur natural cation laws. They advocate re-
trenchment in the State and National ex-
penses These, if | understa nd them are
the distinctire features Of the American
party es it exists amongst us, and of every
one OF those principles nine-tenths, if not
all of the Republican party oil this county
are advocates
Now, it We understand the objects of the
Republican party, its great aim is opposi-
tion to the further extension of Slavery
j. is not the desire of a single Republican
we know of in Belmont county to medde
with Slavery where it exists. The Ameri-
can party, in their last County Council, re-
I've that "Slavery exists only by local
slarutr, and is therefore not national We
will Use all constitutional means against
its extens:Un.'
When The parties come to put themselves
upon paper there is 70 difference here the
great mass of the American party in this
county and State are as honestly opposed
to the ext n>ion oil Slavery as the most ar
d. n Repubncan. Then why keep up the
DIV sion wall! Is it to accommodate ,ur
Democratic neighbours, and ID help them and
their PopIsh and foreign friends to all the
fat Offices in the land! Is it 10 he'p them to
establish in this Government the theory
that all of our territory is slave territory,
end that it requires he intervention OF the
local egi-lation or sovereign STATE to ex-
clude slavery from any of our Territories,
This is what we are doing by our actions
in keeping up the war between the Ameri-
c. n and Republican parties. They spent
the fury OF last campaign upon each other,
and we all know the result. Let US this
Fall unite and march against the common
enemy, the Sham Democracy. Let those
who
Did lately meet in the intestine shock
And furious close of civil bulchery,
March now in mutual well beseeming ranks
All one way; and be no more opposed
Against acquaintance. kindred, and allies
The edge OF war, like an ill-sheathed knife,
No more cut his master.'
We have an American and Republican
majority in this county; let US use it against
Popery and Slavery, the two greatest ene-
mics under Heaven to free governments.
UNION.