Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-06-30
To the People Of the goth Con-
gressional District of Ohio.

mlnlshed by the consideration that this
may, probably, be the last time 1 shall
enjoy that privilege. Indeed have new
er penned an address with more buoy
ant hope, or stronger ia til than [ do
now.
Slavery was originally, an element in
our Colonial Governments, and was per
mitted for time under most OF the State
Constitutions But those who formed
the Federal Union of 1776, in the most
explicit language rcpudiated it, and the
trainers of the Constitution in 1881 de-
clared, that under its exclusive jurisdic-
ton emo person shall be deprived Of life,
liberty, or property, aOiktout due process of
Iaw." But those patriots failed to main
tain the doctrine set forth in the Decla-
ration of Independence, and reiterated in
the Constitution. In violation of those
charters OF human rights, this element of
despo,ism was practically transferred in
10 our federal organization, and for half
century it has maintained an agrees
i've war upon the interest of the free
States upon free labor, upon the rights
Of human nature. So far as it has at
tanned power in our government, just so
far has that government approximated a
despotisn. The experience of three
(ourihs of century has demonstrated
that liberty and slavery cannot prosper
under the same government, that they
are religious, moral and political oppo
sizes. That when government acts for
one, it necessarily acls against the other.
When The federal power was exerted
for extending and perpetuaLing Slavery
in Texas, it was TO that extent welded
against freedom. Some oflhe evils aris-
ing from that policy, were pointed cut
in an address TO the people Of the free
States, published more than Gfteen years
since. 1t was signed by the Hon. JOIN
QU1NcY ADAMS, and twenty other mem
bers of the House Of Representatives.
But its predictions made little impression
upon the public mind. "What aUas then
prophecy has non become history" The
act of annexation denied the doctrine
that governments are established 10 main
tain Liberty, its influences were put forth
TO maintain Slavery, to JaniSh and sap
press liberty.
The repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise, and the efforts of tie executive 10
establish slavery in Kansas, is the natu-
raj sequence of the policy adopted in
1843, and the declaration put fol tn at Gin
cinnati, that the people of territory may
rightfully form a government which shall
consign portion of the human family to
degrading bondage, was but the asser-
ton of a policy on which the Democrat
ic party had long pracliced.
This bold avo,raL of despotism howev-
er, brought upon the party proclaiming
it, moral and political paralysis-it be-
came imbecile, the scepter of power fell
from lis grasp. 1t then ceased to WELD
the moral energies of the nation. But
to this day, the friends of liberty have
been unable so TO concentrate The polili-
cal elements, as TO guide the administra
ton of government for those high purpo-
ses for which it was formed. The work
of founding a political party upon doc
trines so elevated, SO purely christian in
their character, required time and effort.
1t was obvious that no ephemeral policy,
no sectional interest, no mere partisan
advantage could constitute the basis OF a
PERMANENT organization. Nothing short
of restoration Of the government TO its
original principles, could give peace 10
the country, security TO freedom, or per-
manence to the Constitution. The Slave
power, then guiding the Democratic par
ty must be met, EXPOSED and OVERCOME. |
Outside the States the Constitution Lav |
ing exclusive jurisdiction must be enfoic-
ed. The Whig party had faded from
existence in consequence of lis efforts TO
conciliate the despoIism Of slavery. The
democratic party had fallen a victim TO !
the same policy, and that man must have
lived TO little purpose who. in forming
new political organization, would so
guide it as TO strike the very rock on
which all former parties had split. 1t
was under these circumstances that the
new party was formed, and the absolute
NECESSITY dictated its basis OF UNCHANG-
ING TRUTH OF EQUAL JUSTICE TO ALL MEN.
And those politicians who now talk OF
modify ing the doctrines Of the Republi-
can party, simply declare themselves too
timid to look at facts, or 10 much preju-
diced to appreciate them.
The first effort 10 form a new organi-
zation, after the demise Of the old parties
was made by members elected as Rep
10 the Thirty Fourth Con-
gress. At the assembling of that body
in December, 1856, q portion of the
consisting of PLURALITY and
1O3. united upon resolutions
looking TO the RIGHTS OF ALL, sustaining
the INTEREST of all. They constituted
an impregnabIe phalanx resisting all at
tacks and defying all assaults. Nine
weeks ofunexampled excite
ment followed, but q partial victory
crowned their efforts. / then supposed
the propriety of adopting great moral
truths as The basis of our political organ
ization had been so signally illustrated,
that no member would longer doubt it
but some twelve individuals of thatbody,
continued 10 insist that their policy in re-
gard to foreigners, should be adopted as
the basis of our future action. To This,
The Republicans could not agree; and no
party had majority in that Congress.
The hopes of the nation were then di-
rected to the Philadelphia Convention,
where a strong effort was made TO incor-
porate the "American party" as such,
with the party then about to organize,
but the proposition was not adopted.
All knew that Congress could only act
upon the subject of naturalization, while
The Stale governments must each, for it.
self, protect the security of its ballot box
and extend or diminish the righ, of suf.