The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-02-10

1 able 10 contradict or evade the language OF the
Declaration of Independence, insuted the intel
| ligence and common sense of the people by
gravely deciding that the signers of that instru-
ment said that achich they did not mean, and
intended that sohich they did not say. But that
decision transferred the issue to the record 1t
| has passed into history and will remain subject
to 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 Republican
! States now include two-thirds of our free popu-
| ation. This platform was framed and adopted
| by Convention authorized by the people, and
| must remain until another Convention of like
powers shall assemble. Men who deny these
| doctrines may vote with us, preferring our or
ganization to that of the Democratic party, We
| should treat them kindly, encourage them IN
| every proper manner; but we cannot claim
| them as Republicans while they deny our essen
tial doctrines. Men who believe in and adhere
| to our principles, do not propose any modihca-
| ton and those who do not believe them surely
have no right to demand a surrender of them.
1t is undoubtedly true, that some who desire
to defeat the Democratic party desire TO modify
the Republican platform and 1t is equally GER
tain that no man who desires the success of
of our doctrines will advise us to abandon their
| support. 1t must be obvious that every effort
| to change our position tends to our defeat,
though it may not be so designed. Our troops
are in the field our enemy is before us our
ranks are serried, 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 he sees us begin TO waver
OF the character Of the issue thus formed,
may be permitted to remark, that no other ever
has, and think no other ever will, take so deep
a hold upon the American mind as that which
relates to the natural, the inalienable rights of
mankind. These constitute the basis of the
Republican platform now, as they did in l776
The devotion of the American people to Liber-
ty then proved invincible upon those battle
fields where they met the enemies of Freedom
at the cannons 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 recollec
tons which cluster around our Revolution,
but we have sworn that mo person" under
our jurisdiction shall be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of
law Allegiance TO the Constitution, to human
nature, and to God, constrain us to maintain
our republican doctrines.
| speak of the fundamental truths which
constitute the basis of our political faith as
they constituted the basis of the Declaration of
independence. These truths are immutable
and Interchangeable as their Divine Author.
They must forever remain the basis Of our &C.
ton, While the Constitution shall be maintain
ed, or the party shall exist. On matters of
policy our platform may be changed to suit
occasions as they arise; but the great cen
trail truth on which we all unite must remain
unchanged The constitutional powers of Gov
eminent must at all times be welded to secure
every human soul under its exclusive iursdic-
fiction in the ENJOYMENT of the rights which
God has bestowed on him.
To this doctrine there can be no modi6ca-
ton. There is neutral ground between
right and tcrORg, between Liberty and SldreTy
Every human being is entitled to live, to that
liberty which Is necessary to unfold his moral
nature and prepare for heaven. And he that
is not with us on this point, must be against
US. And when politicians suggest that the Re-
publican party shall abandon this primal TRUTH
| reply, there is million of electors in these
States who will not abandon this doctrine of the
Constitution, this faith of our republican IA
thers. Men who have labored ten, fifteen or
twenty years, 10 bring out this great principle
will not suddenly abandon it, face to the right
about and again submit to the domination of the
slave power. They will not be deceived. nor
defrauded of their votes. They will sustain no
man for the Office of President or Vice Presi
dent because they do not know whether he is
right or lcyOng but candidates, to obtain sup
port, must show by their past action or present
pledges that they stand Internationally upon
these primal doctrines.
| am aware that our opponents charge the
Republican party with abandoning their plat
form, because members of this body voted at
our last session for the amendment to the Lee
compton Constitution, in order to defeat that
infamous measure. Even the President. in,
his message, repeats this charge. For the
benefit of that high functiOnary, and others, |
will say that members of Congress did not
make the Republican platform, aud they cannot
H'aIndke 1t. The people who framed it will see
to its preservation. True, the President has
cause to complain. We left our fortress, and,
by strategy in the open field, we captured his
LecOmpton host; but it is not usual for pris-
oners thus to complain of the superior science
of their captOrs.
1t has been objected that a political party
cannot stand upon moral and religious truth.
| reply, it cannot at this day stand without such
basis. The progress of Christian civilization
has demonstrated that the popular mind can
be no longer satisfied with mere questions of
policy, while the Government is made to sane
ton the most arrant despotism, and encourage
crimes of the most fragrant character.
We do not say the black man is, or shall be-
the equal of the white man or that he shall
vote or hold office, however Just such position
may be- but we assert that he who murders a
black man shall be hanged; that he who robs
a black man of his liberty or his property shall
be punished like other criminals. We deny
that crime depends upon the complexion of
him against whom it is committed.
Sir our Government should have led the ma
tons of the earth in this glorious work but it
Is now too late for US to aspire to that proud
position. The Emperor of Russia is at this
time engaged in freeing the slaves of his EN-
pre-, while our President is seeking the extern
sion OF human bondage. England long since
repudiated African slavery. France initiated
the noble example Several Mohammedan
Princes have shown themselves better Christians
than American statesmen, by abolishing slave
! ry and the slave trade in their dominions
against attempts to violate for the purpose Of sab
fishing Slavery the Territories United States by pos
tive legislation prohibiting extension therein
That deny authority of Congress of territorial Legs
lature Of any individual, association individuals to
legal existence Slavery any Territory United
states while the present Constitution shall be maintained
" Resolved, That the Constitution upon Congress
sovereign power the Territories the United States
Tor thor Government and that the of this power
both the right and the duty OF Congress prohibit
the Territories those twin relics of barbarsm Poygay
| Slavery.
States ordained and established by the people
10 form perfect union establish justice domes
tic tranquility provide for the common defence and
the blessings OF liberty and contains ample provisions for
the protection OF the life liberty, and property
have been frsuduenty and violently taken from them
Territory has been invaded by armed force spurious
pretended legislative Judicial, and executive officers have
been them by whose usurped authority
by the military power OF the Government, tyrannca and
unconstitutional laws have boon enacted and enforced the
rights Of the people to keep and bear have been
/