The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-08-21
Prom the Joliet Signal


| From Maine to Mexico, the ewes of poli-
ticians are fixed on Illinois. The Importance
of the great contest soon to come off in our
State, We fear is not fully appreciated by our
Democratic friends. 1t is in Illinois tho
great battle is to be fought, upon the result
of which, perhaps, hangs the fate of our
party in the great North West for years
hence.
And there is no denying that decided
stand must be taken by every friend OF Dem
ocratic principles, or We shall be entirely
plunged and submerged in the maelstrom OF
Black Republicanism. The true men of the
party-the men who regard not the carp
ings Of the time -servers or the vaultigs OF
the ambiticus-must take stand in favor Of
union and harmony IN our ranks. We must
rot 90 to battle with our force divided
The Democracy should lose sight Of mere
men in this contest and look only to the
great principles which all endorse. They
have quarreled enough amongst themselves
about minor issues, and it is time now that
they were closing up their ranks preparatory
to meeting the common-enemy.
The Democracy Of Illinois, of every sec
ton, profess to stand upon he Cincinnati
platform; and on every suitable occasion re-
affirm their adherence to the doctrines and
.
met a Democrat, whatever may have been
his views on the Lecompton issue, who is
not in favor of the great and essential doc
trines of the party. They all believe that
the people Of every State and Territory, in
this country, have the sole and sovereign
right to regulate their own domestic nstitu-
tons; and that the attempt by people Of
other States and Territories, or by their rep
resen:atIves, to bind them without their con-
sent, in any case whatever, is an usurpa ion
of mans inalienable right of self govern-
rnent, and should be resisted the princ-
PIES Of non-intervention and local self gov
eminent, embodied in the Compromise inca
sures Of 1850, and applied by the act for
the organization of Kansas and Nebraska,
receives the support OF all true Democrats.
Therefore, as all Democrats coincide IN
sentiment on the great fundamental princ-
pies of the party, let there be a uni IN Of ali
the supporters of those great principles
The heretofore Leeompton and auti-Lecomp-
ton Democrats, are Numerically opposed to
the principles proclaimed by the Black Re
publicans. Why, then, cannot they unite
in support Of their common cause: We
wait anxously for a movement in this drec-
ton. Ii would be a shame and disgrace
if the glorious prairie State which has a.
ways Eept the flag Of Democra flying vic
.oriousy, should a last permit i, 10 be haul
e down and tramp!ed upon by a most igno-
minious opposition. Defeated now, we fear
that our State, which has been the glory Of
the Democratic North West, would, ike
Michigan and Ohio, be engu!fed in the sea Of
AboljtioniAm for long series Of years.
As We look al it, then, here upon our
/ broad prsiries is to be fought political bat
tie the coming fall which will decide the
destiny Of our State for many years, and
which may, perhaps, decide the destiny of
the Union Itself for all coming time.
In view Of these considerations. shall tn,
Democracy Of Illinois yield up the usages,
organizat on and discipline whereby the
strength of the party can be brought to bear
against the common and natural enemy, al
tue dictation of those who are determined
10 ruin when they can 10 longer rule =
Future success, fidelity to principle, hon r
able impulse, common sa.acity, call on the
Democracy OF Illinois louder than ever be
fore, unitedly to Stand 10 their guns :" and
we hope 10 see the call obeycd in spirit Of
harmony, Cancellation and frstcrnal feeling
Fidelity to party, therefore, We consider
al the present crisis and indeed o. sll coca
Sioas, as the frs. Of political viriuCs-not
because 1t i party and has the iron RUE OF
organization, but because II cmbodieS those
principles for which all our political efforts
are made. II is useless to talk about being
a true Democrat, and not supporting the or
carnations ot the party. Defeat brought
about by men protesting frat.rnal feeling.
viii be no less disastrous to the Democratic
party, aud to the country, than if accom-
plished by the opposition proper. Such as
labor 20 that end are enemies to both
clearly and undeniably. Ihey are no less
Il ack Republicans in purpose and sentiment
than f they had hailed from the Black Re-
pub'ica ranks. Every man who laboKS, or
vot,S, to defeat regular Democratic nomin;-
tons, has nothing in common with the
Democratic party. Let these facts be i'm
pressed upon the minds OF those OF our Dem
ocratic friends who blame us for supporting
the regular Democratic ticket.