Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-07-09
To the Editor of The Belmont Chronicle:

To the Editor Of the Belmont Chronicle:
SIR-As 'he Democratic party claims to
be the only party in this Government that
advocates the same principles In every sec
tion of the country, permit me to call the
attention of "the faithful" generally, in
this section Of the country, to the fact that
something is rotten in the state of Den
mark" Mr. Pursy, of the Era, Bellairs,
In his salutatory claims 10 be "simon pure
Democrat" and in speaking of the questions
of the day, ssys. "We have never found
among the deleg ted powers Of the Consti-
tuition, that hich gives Congress the right
to legis.ate for or against slavery. 1t is
nov, and always has been, the creature of
munic pal OF local law AS consequence.
We have been and still are an advocate Of
what is called 'Squatter Sovereignty.'-
We believe it to be doctrine founded oD
Just principles, because founded in the rights
OF the people," .1
II lie plain TO be seen that Mr. Purdy is
somewhat sod fogyish." The doctrine that
slavery is the creature of municipal or
local laws" in this Government has given
way to the theory that slavery is the natural
condition of tho colrred race in the United
States. A theory somewhat hard TO adopt
BY men who bear The Declaration of lnde
pendence read even once year, il is true;
yet it is ths doctrine OF the party. We
presume the editor OF the Fro has been led
astIAy by some such heretical documents as
Lord Mansfeld's celebrated decision in the
Somerset case, the Declaration OF indie
pendence, the Ordinance OF 1887, or some
Of the earlier decisions of the Courts of this
country upon the slavery question. II makes
huhgling work when Democratic editor
happens TO get back few years in the his
tory Of the Government for bis theory Mr.
Purdy will find what is now conceded to be
the genuine Democratic doctrine upon this
subject, in the late "Dred Scott" decision,
delivered some time in advance of the
Court by Mr.. Brown, of Mississppi,) in
which it is held that slave is held in the
United States by reason Of his being black
man, and not by reason of any municipal
or local law" as claimed by the Era. Mr..
Purdv must be prepared to take 'the dose"
As it becomes one of "the faithful" He,
however, need not be discouraged at this
slight mistake, as it will be recolected that
his cotemporury of the Gazette, was promul-
eating the came heresies all through the
last campaign, until set right son the
goose" by Mr. Brown, in advance of the
Court. We know sit is hard to learn an
old dog new tricks" but tNat idea of "squat-
ter sovereignty" M. Purdy talks about still
advocating, will never do. M. Brown, in
advance OF the Court, pronounced that old
fogyish theory of Cass, "misnomer and a
humbug," long ago. 1t may be ''founded
in just principles" but then it is not Dem
ocrstic. Just now Mr. Purdy should keep
posted. and in order to do this it will not do
for him to depend too much upon what has
been taugh him in the days o his youth;
for it may be truly said of Democratic prin-
ciples, (at least once year0 sod things
pass away, and all things become new
His contemporary of the Gazette has an ad-
mirable way of keeping posted upon
Democratic principles; that is by looking
wise and saving nothing. We do not re-
commend this course to the Era; but say
keep pace nth the iimes--don't talk of the
besuties of .Squatier Sovereignty"
when gour masters are calling it a humbug.
That. much after the way the Demo-
cratic leaders, it IS said, have managed 10
carry certain county in this State foi the
last twenty-five years. by making :he people
believe they were voting for Gen. Jackson
still. UNION.