The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-10-14
The cleveland Democrat Defends
Mr. COrNin.

We need no bettOr proof thaJ our COM
mcnts upon the course of Mr.. Corwin were
mcritcd, than that tho Cleveland Democrat
defends it. If that gentlemen is an earnest
auti.s slavery mon, he will feel humiliatod by
such dufunco.
Though tho Democrat makes copous oK-
tracts from our article upon Mr.. Corwin,
it is careful to omit all wa say in regard to
the loyalty OF Republicans to tho Con stitu.
ton and tho laws. This is the course the
Democratic press invariably pursuos. We
are represented as enemies Of tho Govern.
mont. aud dsturbors of the peace and har-
mouy of the Union, because VIC believe that
thoro is IL Higher Law than any human
enactment, aud that it is binding at al! times
aud upon all men. =. A belief in such a law,
revolving as it may appear to Democrats,
docs not imply hostility to any laws, except
such as contraycno tho plainest prime iplcs
Of right and Justice. and cannot bo obeyod
without ncurring guilt. If thorc bo such
thing as truth or duty, it must owo its or-
gin TO Higher Law aud does not iluctuatu
with human onactmonts. 1t may do worry
wel for tho editor of tho Democr0! and
Mr.. COrwin, to ridicuo and dcnounce as
traitors and fanatics all those who believe
in this Higher Law ; but dare they deny its
existence We would ask tho editor of the
! Democrd! if he denies that there is II High
or Law than tho common or statute law or
| If. admitting tho existence of such Law. he
would Jisoboy it at tho will of our legisla-
tors. Should thoy 500 iit to lcgnlize mur.
der robbery, arson, or any Othcr infa nous
crime, would Eo be willing to commit it, and
claim exemption from guilt, because tho
law" commanded it
All we claim. AS an advocate for the Higher
Law, is, that every man is bound to obey bis
convictions Of right and duty, which will
never lead him estray, without reference to
what unjust and wicked laws enjoin or pro-
/ hibit. This doctrine is neither now, nor
original with radical anti slavery men. Il
is recognised by Blackstone. and other
writer's of authority on Jurisprudence and
has never beon denied. except by knaves
and dcspOts. When it shall be re eoctod by
n majority Of mankind, there will 10 an end
to social virtue and social peace. and the
Pro Slavery Democracy will enjoy pollti
cal millennium indeed.
The Democrat says "If Mr.. Corwin were
appointed hangman, and would execute his
Office upon who deserve it, n new Editor
would immediately DO needed for tho paper
from which wo quote" We are thankful
that such mon AS tho editor of tho Demo crdt
have not tho power to execute all who do
not possess the same tender regard for
| Slavery that ;hey do ; for, If they had, the
best part Of community would be lik ely tC
oso their lives. There is no danger tha
no will ever DO hung for his anti SLAYER,
, principles. If his life depends upon hi
devotion to Slavery, we will guarantee him
good old age; aud, if we arc to DO hung
because wo hato oppression and wrong
there is ono consoIation--wo shall not cx
/ piro on the samo gal!ows with him. II is
dreadful thing, in tho eyes of tho Northor
Democracy, to disobey tho Fugitive Slav
Act, yet they have nothing to say abou
- tho thrca is of disunion, and ovon treason
that arc constantly made by leading mo NJ
bors of their own party at tho South,
' view of the probability of a trium pin of tn
y Republican party in 1860, Tho reason
obvious. Wo ubominato these "Northcr
1t men with Southern principles" or ratho
rs with no principles at all. There is no pail
rs alton for their conduct. They aro regardo
IN with the samo detestatioD, North and Sout
/ For men who were born and reared amid
Pro Slavery influences, there is some excus
-, bat Cor such mon as tho editor of the Glow
laud Democrat, there is none.