The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-01-28
True and False Policy.

1t seems 80 us that, before the Republican
party adopts Mr.. GrcoIcy's plan of union,
it would DO well to seriously inquire whether
tho Republican cause would thereby be
promoted. Let others think and act as
they may, this is tho only question for
Republicans to decide, and they cannot dc.
cido it too early. There are goycral i'm
portant reasons why wo should regard the
adoption of Mr.. Greeeys plan of union as
injurious to the Republican cause, and fatal
TO Republican success in 1850:
lit makes tho defeat of the Democratic
party its primary object, whereas tho de-
feat of that party, however desirable, should
be regarded only as means to secure the
moro speedy triumph of our principles -
For Republicans to make such an object
paramount now, would bo to virtually admit
all their former course to have been crro.
ncous, if not hypocriticaI and for one we
arc not prepared to make any such ad.
mission.
2.-lt virtually leaves anti.slavery princi-
pies entirely out of the question. We know
that some will regard this as a sweeping
dcclaratiou-but is it not true? Does not
MIR. Groeley propose union with slave
holders And, rs condition of such
union, does he ask them to endorse the
principles of tho Republican party: Has
he not expressed his willingness to give thcm
either tho President or Vico President. with
the simple condition that such official shall
exert all the power that he, as stakeholder.
may think the Constitution gives him, TO
prevent tho furthor extension of Slavery ::
This is precisely Mr.. GreeIeys proposition
il wo nre capable Of understanding it. Will
il satisfy tho majority of tho Republican
party;
3.-The Republican party is mainly COM
posed of mon who aro opposed, not only to
tho extension of Slavery, but to tho exist.
cnco of that OWL in any form, and who will
content themselves with no opposition loss
thorough and ctrcctual than tho utmost OK
crciso Of all possible constitutional power to
drive it from tho Government. They do
not propose to abolish Slavory in the
Southern States, simply because thcy havo
no constitutional power to do so, and not
because thoy consider that institution less
odious thcro, than in Kansas. Any union
of the Opposition that can possibly be Of
fectcd, must depend chiefly on the rank and
iio Of tho Republican party for succoss -
and il is vain TO suppose that those who con
stitute tho rank aud Rle OF TINT party, will
join in q union which does not truly repre-.
sent their sentiments on the question of
Slavery.
4,-Thoso with whom tho Republicans
are asked TO unite, aro Wings and Ameri
cans and, while we desire no controversy
with them, and should rejoice to SEQ thom all
enlisted in tho support of tho Republican
cause, wo would make 10 concessions to
secure their cooperation, that would be
likely to alionato larger number, who arc
equally, if not more. favorable to tho sue.
cess of that cause, but whose antecedents
and prejudices arc oil on tho sido of the
Democratic party. Thousands of honest
Democrats arc leaving tho party with
which they have always acted, and to which
they have boon ard ntly attached, because
they can no lOng1I act with a party so
| fathloss TO Freedom. These men, layine
aside all their party predictions, are willing
To unto upon thu Republican Platform
with all that desire tho defeat os tho Slave
Power; but, shor'l tho Republican party
make any un~ortby concessions to thuir old
enemies. they will at once abandon its ranks
5.-Tho union proposed by Mr.. Greeley.
Eeons to imply that tho issue between the
parties in 1860, is to be a Temporary issue, to
which the political hfdeity and corruption
of the present Administration have given
RISE and which a change of Administration
would dispel. We concur in no such narrow
view of tho great struggle which IS now
being wagnd in our country, between Slavery
aud Freedom In common with thousands OF
anti slavery men. we regard that struggle as
warfare Of two utterly irreconc'lahlc princi.
Piles. aud firmly belOve thar upon its doter.
termination depends the fate OF our Gov.
ernment The friends of Freedom will
never be satisfied with a tame and ton.
por'zing policy upon a question which &C
vitality aEoets their highest Interests.