The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-02-04
WHOLE NO., 473.

ne gave me such unequivocal evidence Of
his Indignation, that | was constrained to
surrender my own self.respec,, or TO with.
bold all further manifestations Of respect
Tor him. While he lived, bis influence
was exered in favor Of the gag rules-in
favor Of Slavery and the next year was
publicly censured and driven from nv
seat in this body, for avowing doctrines
which no stakeholder dared deny but
they united with Northern services to
censure me for utteripg truths on which
no man Of reputation presumed to take
issue. This occurred under Whig Ad-
ministration, for whose election | had la
bored most earnestly and by a House, a
large majority Of whose members belong
ed TO the party with whom | had always
acted. These facts illustrate the fallacy
oI uniting conflicting elements merely to
carry an election. They show tha! when
the Executive thus elected assumes any
definite policy, the party at once dissolves
into its original elements, and the various
factions turn their weapons against each
other. The disbandment Of the Wing
party in l841 left no remaining doubt on
cal party, to become permanent, must
base its organization upon immulable
truth /: and the failure OF President Tyler
to carry out the views Of that party who
elected him constituted an important step
towards the development Of our present
issues.
| Mr.. Clay, ibe Wing candidate in 1914,
was committed 10 our doctrines but by
surrenderng his opposition 10 the annex-
alton OF Texas, he lost the support of
portion of the Northern vote and was
therefore defeated. His failure conslitu-
ted another lesson TO politicians, against
the policy OF uniting political opponents
for the mere purpose of carrying an cleo
lion.
The annexation Of Texas, with the
avowed purpose Of extending and eterniz-
ing Slavery constitutes an important chap
ter in the progrsss of events, showing that
the Democratic party then acled upon the
docu ines now avowed, but cvated every
effort to compel them to show their colors.
In l848. The Two great parties, in their
National Conventions and in their plat
forms, carefully avoided any issue upon
the subject oI Slavery. But such was
the popular feeling, that new party was
formed and although it did no, adopt
the rights Of mankind, enuncated in the
Declaration of Independence, as the basis
! ofits organization, it founded its claims TO
support upon its devotion TO Freedom
Its numbers were respectable and SO many
votes were drawn from the Democratic
/ tbar ha 4, III tal ia
date. But the new Administration. upon
its entrance into Office. was beset with tie
same difficulties which surrounded that Of
General Harrison, in I84i. General Tay-
lor could find no definite doctrine nor pol.
icy on which he had been elected, or to
which he had been committed. Ofcourse,
the conflicting elements were unable 10
unite ; they separated and the party dis.
banded, aud the necessi y Of selecting
immutable truth as the basis for political
organic alton became still more apparent.
A, the assembling OF the Thirlytrst
Congress, some light members separated
from the old parties, avowing their deier-
mnation TO vote for no man TO the office
OF Speaker, who hesitated 10 pledge him.
self so 10 arrange the committees as TO Sc.
cure respectful reports upon Northern Pc
ti'ions in regard to Slavery. Both of the
leading organizations saw that this would
at once develop the great issue which
they feared, and they elected the propos-
ition. Under those circumstances, no
candidate could command a majority Of
the votes, and alter contest of three
weeks they united in resolution, declar.
ing that the member receiving the highest
number of votes should be elected. The
Democratic candidate was thus elected,
and the Wing party actually died by it's
efforts to prevent the development OF that
influence which defeated all its measures.
From that day, it appears only in history.
But it were in vain for historians 10 record
tranSpirng events, if statesmen, politicians
and people, close their eyes 10 obvious
teachings of these examples, and strive 10
maintain political parry composed OF dis
cordant elements with no common prin-
| ciple on which all Can unite.
| The advocates OF liberty had greatly
! increased in 1859. Their National Com
venIion was characterized fer its dignity,
and the high moral and political charac-
ter offs members. Its platform Of prin-
ciples was more elevated and statesman
like than had been previously put forth by
any political party. But as neither OF The
old organizations openly denied The truths
Of our Declaration Of Independence. the
friends of Freedom forbore TO reiterate
them, as such reiteration would constitute
no issue with either Of the other parties.
They had denounced all agitation upon
the subject of Slavery indeed, they
avoided making any issue between them
selves. Neither denied any doclrine
or policy which the other asserted and
this rimldity determined many of their
members TO take more distinct position
whenever an opportunity should be pre-
senled. The people generally felt it un-
becoming intelligent men, unworthy OF
the descendants Of our revolutionary sires.
TO fear the investigation or the public dis
cussion of human rights.
Fortunately, at that time the people who
had settled in Kansas, were calling for a
Territorial Government That region had
been solemnly consecrated to Freedom;
and the right of its inhabitants to life lib
erty and property. was to be again recog-
ulzed or denied by Congress. II appeared
inevitable that members of this body must