The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1859-09-02

Judge htnmncy OF 1859.
II has been stid that "when man
ceases to be consistent, he ceases 70 be
honest" ofone thing we are confident
when no ceases 70 be honest he be-
comes inconsistent But tried BY either
rule, Judge Ranney, under an examination
Of his political views a. expressedln is4e
and 1909, will fare badly. The glossy
examination Of these views, as made by
their author in Athens, Saturday week,
may suit those who had predetermined TO
be satisfedj but wo choose rather to
20 70 the record. And as the Judge studi-
ously avoided the reading Of that record
to his audience, we think Il but fair 70
place Il where II can be read By those
who arc disposed 20 make the examihu-
ton for themselves.
Here is the non-interyentlon plank Of
the Democratic platform, adopted in State
Convention on the 96th Of May last, and
upon which Judge Runney now stands
In the acceptance Of the nomination, Il
will be remembered that he took with Il
the platform without exception or reser-
vation:
Resolped That the organized Terrific
riea Of the United States, although not
endowed with all the attributes Of sove-
reignty, are only held IN the territorial
condition until they attain q sufficient
number Of inhabitants 70 authorize their
admission into the Union as States; and,
therefore, are Justly entitled 10 the right
Of fself-governmont, and the undsturbod
regulation oftheir domestic or local affairs
| subject 10 the constitution Of the United
States; and that any attempt by Congress
or any of the States, 90 establish or main
tain, prohibifor abolish, the relation of
mater and sldUe in Territory, lDouid Be
a departure from he original doctrine of
our A mefioaa insfiiuiioRsi and we ad-
here immovably TO the principles of"non-
Intervention by Congress with slavery in
the States or Territories, az declared In
the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and openly dis
claim fellowship with those, whether at
the South, or the North, or the West,who
counsel the abandonment, limitation, or
avoidance ofthat principle.
We need not say here that this is a
complete denial Of the right ON the part
Of Congress "to prohibit or abolish the re-
leton of master and slave in Territory" !"
The declaration Is here in just 30 many
words-without qualification or roserva-
uon-accompanied with the bold assev-
Grafton, and untrue 40 Il is daring, that
such Interference "would be q departure
from the original doctrine Of our Ameri-
can institutions" II goes even farther
lit commits Judge Ranney and the par
ty in favor Of "openly disclSiming fellow
ship with those, whether at the South, or
the North, or tho West, who counsel the
abandonment, limitation, or avoidance Of
that principle"
\ This is Judge Ranney Of 1859. Now
let us look at Judge Runney Of ls4s. He
was then a candidate for Congress, and
wrote a letter to d. f. Hoffman--tho let
ter which we have already published
embracing his views on the Slavery ques-
tions Of the day. lie wound up that let
ter by saying that it contained "hls views,
HONESTLY ExrREssED;" and by himself
and friends thousands ofcopies were scat
tered over the district. In that letter
Judge Runney uses this uncquivocal Lam
guuge;
81 have no doubt Of the power Of Con-
gross TO erect Territorial Governments
and 10 PROVIDE FOR THE PROHIB-
lITION OF SLAVERY WITHIN THE
! TERRITORIES, AND lam IN FA-
VOR OF AND WOULD SUPPORT
SUCH PROHIBITION"
This is the true Republican doctrine oI
FRomRiTIOE-'prohibilion Of Slavery with.
in the Territories'--whieh Ranney in
ls4s said he "honestly entertained" but
which ROnney in 1859 says "would be a
departure from the original doctrine ofo
American Institutions" When was il
that Ranney was honest--in ls4s when
no said he was, or in 1859 when he makes
no such pretensionsl
But here is another extract from the
same letter-from his opinions Of ls4s,
"honostly entertained"--to which we in
vite special attention;
ain regard to slavery in the District Of
Columbia, l answer that ten years ago
had occasion 10 make public my opinion
of THE DUTY OF CONGRESS- TO
ABOLISH SLAVERY IN THE DIS.
TRICT OF COLUMBIA. The lapse Of
time has only served to strengthen that
: opinion"
: Is not this crank Abolitlonisml" Sla.
very existed in the District Of Columbia
and the Judge declared that II was "iAt
duty Of Congress 10 abolish ifgn More
than this. Ten years before that.--as
long ago as isSs--hc had mOdo public hil
opinion in favor Of abolition and "the
lapse Of time had only served to strength,
en- that opinion"
When John w. Forney reproaehed Mr.
Buchanan to his face for having abandon
ed the principles Of the Cincinnati plat.
form, and changed his views and position
In relation to Slavery in the Territories
the Presidents reply was-"oant you
change, too, Mr.. FoFneyw The truth is
Ranney, like Buchanan, has changed, ant
he says to HE old friends of ls4s-oanr
you change, too, my fellow Democrats
He has ceased to DO consistent, and h,
1 asks the rank and ile Of the party to fol
low him. viii they do il!
Keep IL before the People,
That tho l.se lor,,,..R;. I ..i.l.s.... 4 ~.