The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-07-18
National Democracy.
LAWRENCE. July. 185

LAWRENCE, July, 1901.
Mr.. BRowN-DEAR SIR:-Athough OF
the subject of politics we differ widely
still am persuaded that you are disposed
to act fairly, and are willing that those
who differ with you may be heard.
propose to offer few thoughts IL
vindication of the principles of the Ma
tional Democratic party of the old States
and of the rise and progress Of that party
in Kansas; and in order to Judge fairly
it is necessary that its principles be fully
understood. 1t would be work of SUI
perogation to repeat here the old issues
between the Whig and Democratic par
ties; consequently, l shall not attempt
that, but conGne myself to the present Is
sues, and those that divided the Demo
ocratic and Republican parties in TIE late
Presidential campaign-for there were but
two parties in that great struggle. 1t is
true that in those parties were many local
factionists who were governed entirely by
minor or secondary issues, and when the
contest came on, took sides in accordance
with their local prejudices and sectional
hate for the other extreme.
Now, as Remarked, there were but two
parties-the Republican and Democratic.
The Republican issue was, "No more slave
States, Free Kansas, and establishment
of the Missouri Compromise" The Dem
ocratic issue was, "Squatter Sovereignty,
the right of the people in constitutional
manner to govern themselves without let
or hin9rance from any source, !" reaffirming
the old Democratic maxim, that was orig
mated in the foundation of our govern
ment: "That all power is derived from,
and that the voice of the people, when
constitutionally expressed, should be
obeyed in all things" On this issue, and
this alone, the Democratic party entered
the late canvass, and on this issue was
Mr.. Buchanan triumphantly elected.
/ hold that the National Democratic is
not responsible for the acts of the pro-Slaye-
ry party in Kansas, for by the act organ
izing the Territory, Congress surrendered
up to the Territorial Legislature all con-
troll over the laws of the Territory, estab-
fishing new principle in Territorial leg
islatioD, but in strict accordance with the
great Democratic principle that the PEo-
PIE must rule. So neither Congress or
the Federal Executive had any power to
override, or in any manner to repeal, mod
ify or alter the laws of said Territory. 1t
is true, the Federal Government was
bound to protect the Territory from for
4
the federal executive has pledged himself,
through our present Governor, to do. He
has also promised that the actual inhabi-
tants shall be protected in their legal and
constitutional rights.
Now it may sometimes be presumed
that a man may be concluded by the acts
of his friends, but by the acts of his ene-
mics never. Now were the members OF
the first Legislature, which passed the bo-
gus laws, or the party they represented,
the "National Democratic party?" Or
were their acts in accordance or harmony
with that respect which is due from a
Democratic legislative assembly to a
Democratic President2 Let their acts
| speak for themselves. By reference to
page 1S7 of the Journals of the Council
for the 1st session, you will find a vote Of
censure, or reprimand, to the President
of the United States, in the form of a res
olution, by a Mr.. Strickler, the latter
clause of which reads as follows
"That the tenure of Office of the Judges
being fixed by law, the President has mol
| the potOer to remove at his will or pleas
ure; and that an attempt to do so is, an the
opinion of this Legislature, a violation OF
law; and that it is the imperative duty OF
| the legislative department of this Terri
tory, and of all good citizens, to RESIST
this fagant usurpatioa Of polcer, coming
from whatever quarter it may"
About the same time, member Of the
lower house, o. H. Browne, Esq, gave
vent to his indignant feelings in the fol-
lowing bitter and sarcastic language
Speaking in reference to the executive
blow that cut off the-h head of Judge Ell
more, at the execution of Reeder for his
participation with that functionary in hi:
| "Kaw land speculation the orator, rails
ing himself tip-toe, his arm raised a "a
| gladiator, his eyes flashing fire, his tongue
dipped in gall, his voice raised to the
| thunder key, pronounced the hOrrfU,
words
1--WE will sustain our friend Judge Ell
more in defiance of Frank P-i-e-r-r-e-e!"
History informs us how they did sus
tain him, Notwithstanding all their idle
braggadocios.
Ny object is, not to vindicate Presidenf
Pierce, or his acts, but to show that thai
august body were not National Democrats
or friendly to the national executive.
I AS further evidence of their not beins
National Democrats, will introduce an
other resolution, adopted by both houses
and found on page 253 of the Journals o
the Council; the preamble of which read
as follows
"Whereas, The signs of the times indi
cate that measure is now on foot, fraugh
with more danger TO the interests of tia
pro-slauery party and to the Uiaioa thai
any that has yet been agitated, TO wit: TIL
, proposition to organize National Demo
! I-cratic party; and aehereas, some of on
, friends have already been nisIed by it
and schereas, the result will be to divid
! pr0-Starery HIagS from Democrats an
! thus divide our party one-half; an
tchereas, we believe upon the success 9
our party depends the perpetuity of th
E Union; therefore. belt
, .Ifesolued, By the House Of Representa-
tires, 1.-THE Council concuned therein,
That it is the duty of the pro-slaver
|, party, the Union-loving men of Kanss
3 Territory, to know but one issue-SLAyI
RY; and that any party making or Al
. tempting to make any other, is, an
2 ? should be, held as an ally to abolitionisI
! and tiisunion'
0 There you have it, in nutshell, tn
b the National Democratic party had n.
e thing to do with it. It was a stroke,
It Wing legislation--men who had alwa.
II been hostile to Democratic men an
e measures. In their preamble they bold
. ayow that the pro-slauerg party is the d
Wig party, under new name; and Il
history of that party proves they are on
d at their old game, changing their TACT