Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-08-28
DEMOCRACY THREE YEARS AGO.

of thousands of others is on their skirts.
DEMOCRACY THREE YEARS AGO.
AT soven, at least, of the annual State Conven.
tions OF the last ten years, they have adopted resi-
olutions virtually covering the whole Anti Slavery
ground now occupied by the Republicans, and
even more. The last of these abolition mani
festoes was put forth in 1885, Since that time.
the so.called Democracy has rather abruptly Como
over TO open and bold Pro. Slavery ground, while
honest Democrats have joined tho Republican
ranks, to regain their old faith. Here is one of
the customary resolutions of tho Ohio Democracy
during the period we have mentioned
"Resolved, that the people of Ohio now, as they
always have done, look upon slavery as an evil,
ond untavorablc to the development of tho spirit
and practical benefits of free institutions, and that
entertaining these sentiments, they will at all
times feel it to be their duty to use all power clear.
ly given, by the terms of the National compact,
TO prerent lis increase, TO mitigate ana, finally Grad
icdte the eUI.
Republicans do not propose to "cradicate the
evil" but only to prevent its spread. We do not
interfere with slavery in the States. This resolu-
ton does.
The above is from the Cincinnati Gazette, and
is q very clear and explicit acknowledgment of
the charges SO often Indignantly repeled by the
moro anti slavery of the Republicans. The Dem.
ocratic party of 1855 was, says the Gazette, more
anti.slavery than the Republican party now. "Re,
pu6ltcans do not propose to eradicate tie euil."
"Wc do not interfere aiM slavery in the States"
The same number Of the Gazette which thus en-.
~lightens US in regard to the abolitionism of the
Democratic party three years ago, gives us further
argument, (tollowingl to prove the absence Of all
a6oiitionism in the Republican party, past or pres.
ent. Referring to an article which was copied into
the Buglc two weeks since, The Gazette says:
Some time since, in noticing certain complaints
of a Republican Journal, we took occasion to say
that it Judged tightly that the tendency of the
party is not in the direction of more ultra views"
We further express the opinion, in the same con-
neotion, that Judge Wade, Father Giddings,"
and Gov. Chase, (who have certainly always been
regarded as among the most ultra men in our or.
ganination, )showed, at present, no disposition to
insist on introducing Abolitionism into our plat.
form. Such was the spirit and substance of our
article.-Such language may have subjected US to
misrepresentation, on the part of these who seem
very erroneously-to have taken up with the no.
ton that We desire an abandonment of the Repubs
lican platform. Such is most certainly not our
desire, nor were our remarks, rightly construed,
such that either of the prominent political gentle
men named, could reasonably take exception 70
them. The Ashtabula Sentinel. however, ut the
i hNe0 VI "hObS OAobiho ubu tbO GhIlC W llUH.
j. K. Giddings, ne Corresponding Editor, deems
our remarks on this subject worthy of particular
comment. 1t triumphantly refers to the Phiia.
dclphia Platform, as the orthodox standard of
Republicanism, which admits of no doubtful"
! construction, in the opinion of Mr.. Giddings,
and asserts that Judge Wade, Mr.. Stanton,
Governor Chase, and Mr.. Giddings" have no
authority to change or modify the solemnly re.
corded doctrines of the party" The Sentinel
further disclaims any intention or desire to modify
those doctrines.
This brings US precisely to the point. We are
glad to find, as we had hoped, that Mr.. Giddings,
and whatever other Abolitionists, repudiating
Garrisonism with its mon POLITICAL professions
and its avowed Disunionism, have found their
way on to the conservative platform of the Repub'
licans. are willing to stand by that platform, to
E adopt Its plain meaning, and to act with US as
national men, without trying to add any ultraism,
or to insist on making the party responsible for
Q their peculiar views, on any subject.
The National Republican platform, adopted al
] Philadelphia, is undoubtedly open to critical OBJ.
: jections. 1t contains many eloquent and extend
8 ed remarks, all very good in themselves. but hard
u ly in place. We do not see any necessity of re
y Affirming it every quarter, or in every local con
i test. Its "Topeka' resolution, at least, is really
obsolete. But in its spirit. and in oil its doc
trines, We say most distinctly and deliberately
and we desire all who have taken any interest il
regard to our position" to note the fact
c meets our approval. We have no amendment t.
o propose. Platform. building on every occasion Q
a party gathering, we dislike. For a nationa
9 platform, We would have preferred fewer words
u and no attempt at eloquent display. Our oppo
d nents have set an example in this respect, which
IS platform makers are usually too ambitious to fol
- low. But in it's essence and true intent, the Phil
) adelphia Platform is sound, national, and right,
Instead of adhering to this platform, however
u it cannot be disguised that q few ultra men, (anC
We here repeat, we are glad to be thus authori
y tatiyely assured that Mr.. Giddings does not meal
hereafter to be one of them,) have gone to clam
Oring for No more stupe States and no more slav
q Territories" The right and duty of Congress t
prohibit slavery in tho Territories We insist on-an'
(. none the less since the extrajudicial opinions o
Judge fancy. By Keeping the Territories fire.
> from this evil, las we should have done had thi
Is policy been successfully carried out as commence
under Jefferson, land by preventing the acquisition
of new territory, we could effoctually prevent tn
admission of new slave States, unless by a divis
ion of those already existing. But to the dogm
IA OF mo moro slave States" in this naked, defan
form, the National Republican party is not, on,
never has been, committed. With the disclaime
of any intention to add this or any other dootrin
d to the Republican creed, Mr.. Giddings, so far
sets himself right before the country. We trus
/; his wholesome example, in this particular, will b
: followed elsewhere.
So the pro,slsvery Republicans are relieved o
all apprehension from their ultra brethren who ar
a becoming reasonable at length and abandoning
- abolitionism' Their "~clamor," for the exclusion o
- all future slave states is at an end. They are no
going to disturb slavery, where itjis in the state
and will welcome new states which tolerate it, thu
extending its pledge for the spread and security 0
the institution, in the Union.
The Gazette has truly and fairly stated the posi-
y ton of the party as we have always understood il
d And for hitherto intimating that this was tn
b truth,--that the party was not an abolition party
s and that abolitionists should seek some other poll
Q teal embodiment and manifestation of their grea
t idea, We have been lectured often and soundly
+ publicly and in private by Republicans. Now tn
controlling Influences of the party are making
o this lack of abolitionism its chief merit before til
people. Docs this meet the aspirations and wisho
t Of the anti'slayery men in the party. Arc the