Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-02-24

insulted the intelligence and common sense
of the people by gravely deciding that the
signers of that instrument said that ,chjch
they did not mean, and intended that vhica
they did not say. But that decision trans
ferred the issue to the record. 1t has passed
into history, ard will remain sublec: 10 the
inspection of future generations. Our party
was founded on these doctrines. By the
inherent force of these principles it has in
creased beyond all precedent. The Re-
publican States now include two-thrds OF
our free population. This platform was
framed and adopted by Convention author
lied by the people, & must remain until an
otherConvention of like powers shall assem-
ble' Men who deny these doctrines may vote
with US, preferrlng our organization to that
OF the Democratic party. We should treat
them kindly, encourage them in every pro-
per manner; but we cannot claim them ss
Republicans, while they deny our essential
doctrines. Men who believe in and adhere
to our principles, do not propose any modi-
fcation; and those who do not believe them
surely have TO right to demand a surrender
OF them.
i 1t is undoubtedly true, that some who de-
sire to defeat The Democratic party desire
to modify the Republican platform; aud it
is equally certain that no man who desires
the success of our doctrines will advise US
to abandon their support. 1t must be OBJ
vious that every effort to change our posi-
tion tends TO our defeat. though it may no.
be SO designed. Our troops are in the field
our enemy is before us; our ranks are SER
ried, and ready for the conflict and he must
be secret enemy or doubtful friend who
would advise US TO change position in the
face Of the enemy, who is ready to charge
SO soon as be sees US begin to waver.
OF the characte: of the issue thus form-
ed, | may be permitted to remark, that no
other ever has, and | thiLk no other ever
will, take SO deep hold upon the Ameri-
Can mind as that which relates to the natur-
al, the inalienable rights of mankind. These
Constitute the basis of the Republican plat
form now, as they did in l776. The devo-
tion Of the American people to Liberty
then proved invincible upon those tile
fields where they met the enemies of Free
dom at the cannon's mouth; and it will not
prove less efficient at this day, when the
conflict is at the ballot box We are not only
stimulated by our love of liberty, by all the
sacred recolecIions which cluster around
our Revolution, but We have sworn that 'no
person under our jurisdiction shall be &c.
prived of life, liberty, or property, without
due process of law Allegiance to the
Constitution, to humas nature, and to God
cor strain US to maintain our republican doc.
trines.
! speak of the fundamental truths which
constitute the basis OF our political faith
as they constituted the basis Of the Dec ar
alton of independence. These truths are
mmutable and Interchangeable as their Divine
Author. They must forever remain the
basis of our action, while the Constitution
shall be maintained, or the party shall exist
On matters of policy. our platform may be
changed to suit occasions as they arise: bu
the great central truth on which we al
t unite must remain unchanged. The Con
stitutional powers of Government must a
, all times be welded to secure every human
soul under its exclusive jurisdiction in tbe
enjoyment of the rights which God has be
slowed on him.
To this doctrine there can De no modif
cation. There is no neutral ground be
tween right and aor0n9. between Liberty AM
Siacery. Every human being is entitled i'
live, TO that liberty which is necessary Il
unfold his moral nature, and prepare fu
! heaven. And he that is not with IL on ,h
point, must be again-t And when Ps
liticans suggest that the Repub Iican party
shall abandon this primal truth, reply
there is a million of electors in these State:
who will not abandon this doctrine of the
Constitution, this faith of our republican
f fathers. Men who have labored ten, fif,eer
or twenty years, to bring out this great
principle, will not suddenly ebantoa it, face
t to the right about. and again submit to the
4 domination of the slave power. They vii
not be deceived, nor defrauded of their votes
They will sustain no man for the office ol
of President or Vice President, because they
do not know whether he is right or mrong;
but candidates, to obtain support, must show
by their past action or present pledges tina
they stand Internationally upon thess
primal doctrines.
| am aware that our opponents charge
, the Republican party with abandoning their
platform, because members of this bod,
{ voted at our last session for the amendment
to the Lecompton Constitution, in order I,
defeat that infamous measure. Even ia,
Pres ident, in his message, repeats thi,
charge. For the benefit of that high func
tionary, and others, will say that me mber,
of Congress did not make the Republican
platform, and they cannot unmdke it. Tn,
people who framed it will see TO its preser
} vation. True, the President has cause tt
complain. We left cur fortress, and, by
, strategy in the open field, we captured hi,
; Lecompton host; but it is not usua! for pri>
oners thus to complain of the superior SCI
, ence of their cuptors
u has been objected, that political par
ty cannot stand upon moral and religious
truth. reply, it canno: at this day stunC
rithout such basis. The progress of Chris
tan c'vi ization has demonstrated that the
popular mind can be no longer satisfied viii
' mere questions of policy. while the Govern
, ment is made to sanction the most srran
: despotism, and encourage crimes of tn,
, most tlagrnnt character.
; We do not say the black man is, or shul
be, tho equal of the white mar; or that hs
shall vote or hold office, however Jus. sucl