Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-10-06
Democracy.-Past and Present.

principles OF a po!tlcaI party can De founC
as in the present Lecomp'on Buchanan
Pro Slavery party, which still preteuds To
be the same Democratic party, OF which,
Thomas Jefferson was the founder. Ii
has been said hat men change. but prin'
ciples, never. This is true, but if prin
ciples do not change, there is ample proof
before our eyes. that a party can change
It's principles. La fact there is not a SIM
gle one OF the doctrines proclaimed by
the old Democracy, the present Bu
chanan party has not denied. re
pudiated and trampled under foot. The
old Democracy, the anterryfsd, chongeless
Democracy has been dinned into mems
ears until they fancied the words had
some meaning. but there is a wide diff
ference between sound and sense
What are the facts? Let US exam inc the
record.
In June, 1a49. the Democracy of The
State Of Vermont in Stale Convention.
adopted as their platform, the following
resolutions without a descending v1ice.
Resolped, That liberty is a right in
berent and inaIienable in man, and that
herein oil men are equal.
Resolred, That we claim no authority
in the Federal Government to abolish
slavery in the several Safes, bui ws do
claim for II Constitutional power perpeta.
ally TO prohbt the introduction Of surrey
into Territory now free. and abolish 1t
whereever, under the jurisdiction of Con
gress, it exists. --
Rescued, That this power ought i'm
medisteIy 10 be exercised in prohibiting
the introduction and existence of slavery
in New NJ, xico and Californis. in abol
ishisg slavery and TIE slave trade in the
District Of Columbia, on the high seas.
and wherever else under the Consti;u-
ton it can be reached.
RESOLVED, That no more slave States
should be admitted into the Federal
Union.
RESOLVED, Thstthe Government ought
to return to its ancient policy, not 10 ex
lend, ~nstional;ze, or encourage, but TO
limit. localize and discourage slavery.
That was good democracy in 1919.
but Angus Is. 1857. Mr. Buchanan. in
his letter to Prof. S,llimsn. says of a ter
(Ksnsas.) g
SLAVERY existed at hat period
(1855) and still EXISTS IN KANSAS
~UNDER THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES This
point kas OF last been ~FZNALLY
DECIDED By the h CHEST Tribunal
Judge Taney) knaga 10 our luWs. Hoso
q euer could haze been doubted ga 4YS
TERK.
Eight years has worked great change
in the ckaneeless principles. But lest
NJ Buchanan's letter may not be deemed
good evidence. We will add. as a clincher,
an extract from his message, of the same
year. which is as follows.
It has been soiemn'y adjudged nv the
Judicial Tribunal that E SLA
EXISTSIN KANSAS BY VIR
TUE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES.
HKANSAS is THEREFORE AS
MUCH OF A SLAVE STATE AS
GEORGIA OR SOUTH CAROLINA
In 40. the platform adopted uusDi
mously. by the Democracy of Wisconsin
in State Con, e~ntion. had these resolu-
tinns.
Resolved That we are opposed to the
extension of slavery iato any Territory
now free.
Resolved. That we are opposed to the
of any new safes into the Un-
ion, the Constitution or laws Of which
create or sustain slavery.
RESOLVED, That all National laws
sustain or recognize slavery, as
existing as a distinct State right, should
be repealed.
At every State convention of the De-
mocracy Of Ohio, for seven years pre-
ceeding 1883, their platform contained
resolutions equally as strong in opposf
ton TO tie extension of Slavery and Tree
territory. as were those of Vermont and
Wisconsin. which. we have qnoted.
And now. while protesting to be the
same chdngeless Democratic Party. its
leaders vale to admit Kansas as Stare
Slate with less than $4,000 inhsbitanls
and r .fuse 10 aolait il as a Free State until
il shall have morethan $4,000 inhabitants.
Adherence to the Lecomp'on bill which
Slavery in Kansas. and the
bred Scott decision. which says.
sThe African race was so far interior
that they had no. rights ,Ohieh Tie whi,e
man uos bound to respect; and that the
negro might JUSTLY AND LAWFUL
BE REDUCED TO SLAVERY FOR
HIS BENEFIT" are made the lest Of
Democracy. The time was, when the
fitness of a man 10 hold off e was els.
he capable? Is he honest7 Now the
President and his Administration only
ask. "Does he endorse the Dred Scott
decision, and is he in favor OF making
Kansas a Slave State?' The history of
ihe Democratic psrtye for ths last ten
years is but a history Of changes. Not
aprineipie once emblaaoned upon its ban
ners. whichsi it has not regulated; not
one which It once fought against. that it
does not now support. Once II protested
10 be q party Of freedom. nov n sold
to slavery. Once foppOsed federalism;
now it is concen tratipg, as fastas possible,
81 the powers of government in the hands
Of the President and his Cabin~t. Once