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

ties could not agree with each other, and a
contest unequaIled in our political history
followed. For nine weeks the conflict
ragged, until distinguished Republican from
Massachusetts was made Speaker and ii
would appear that the whole nation must
have seen the necessity for bringing the
radical question of human rights before the
people for decision. The Democratic par
ty, in 1856. when assembled in General
Convention. officially avowed the doctrine
proclaimed by their leaders in 1854. Thus,
by the force of circumstances, was that
party driven, step by step, after more than
twenty years. resistance, to take definite
position in regard to the greatest question
which ever agitated the Christian World.
These circumstances had been created by
Adams and SIade and Gates and Pa!frey
and Hale and King and Allen and Wilmot
and Root and Durkee aid Julian, and other
members OF Congress. and by societies and
lecturers and editors who had labored among
the people, to drive the advocates of op-
position to an avowal oftheir doctrines.
To effect this object, had toiled for
many years. l had, in this body asserted
the doctrine of mans inalienable rights,
and called on gentlemen Of the Democratic
party to admit or deny it but had called
in vain. hat travelled and spoken in
thirteen States had written essays and
newspaper articles | had compiled volume
Of what regarded as interesting incidents,
showing the secret workings of the slave
power. These had heen gathered with
great labor from more than two hundred
documents reposiag in our library under the
accumulated dust of many years. To ex-
pose this moral and political infdelity, |
had encountered Southern opposition and
Northern distrus.; and greatly rejoiced to
see that party compelled TO avow its doc
trres for we'll knew that the avowal OF
its principles would show that its days were
numbered.
When the Republicans met in National
Convention, in June, 1856, but one alterna-
tive lay before them; they were constrain-
ed to take position upon the undying truths
promulgated in the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and perpetuated in the FEEDER al
Constitution, or discard those doctrines, re-
pudiate the Constitution, and unite with
the Democratic party. The platform Of the
Republican party was necessity, rendered
imperious by circumstances. So obvious
was this necessity, that in the committee
appointed TO draw up a confession of politlc-
al faith, not a member seemed to entertain
doubt uson the subject. was myself one
OF the committee, and speak from actual
knowledge. The entire platform as it now
stands,* was adopted in committee by an
unan imous vote, and reported to the Con.
ventio on. which adopted it without a dis.
'sentiug voice.
The issue thus formed was afterwards
confirmed by the Supreme Court, acting as
the agent OF the slave power. That tribun-
al, not able to contradict or evade the Ian
aThe following is copy of the Repub! can
platform adopted at Philadelphia. June Is, 1886:
This convention of delegates assem5 led in pur-
suance of a call addressed Ia the people Of the U
States, without regard to past political differences
or divisions. who are opposed 10 the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise: to the policy OF the preSen
Adm. lstrailon; TO the extension OF Slavery into
free territory; in favor OF the admission OF Kan
sas free State; of restoring the action of the
Federal Government 20 the principles of Washing
ton and Jefferson; and Tor the purpose of present
ing Candidates tor the offices OF President and Vice
President do resolve:
II. Resolved, That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration of lnde
pendence. and embo died in the Federal Conslitu.
hon, are essential TO the Preservation OF our re-
publican ins'iu lious. and that the nights OF The
States must and shall be preserved
-. Resolved, That, with our republican faith.
ers, hold il TO be a sel;-evident truth, that i
men re endowed with the inaienable richt o.
the primary object and Interior design of our ted
erai Government were 10 secure these rights TO al
persons under its exclusive Jurisdictions; that. rs
our republican fathers, when they had abolished
Slavery In all our rional territory, ordained thai
person shall be deprived OF life, liberty, or pro.
perty, without due process et law, it becomes ouI
duty to maintain this provision their Constitution
against all attempts 10 violate 1t for the purpose
establishing Slavery in the Territories Of the Uni
ted States, by positive legislation prohibiting its ex
istence ro eXtention therein That we deny the au
thority OF Congress, OF Territorial Legislature,
any individual, or association OF indvidua Is, tI
give legal existence TO Slavery in any Territory o
the United States, while the present Constitution
shall be maintained.
on Congress sovereign power over the Territories
| of the United States, for their Government, and
that in the exercise OF this power il is both the
right and the duty of Congress to prohibit in the
Territories those twin relies OF barbarism, Poly
gamy and Slavery.
~. Resolved, That while the Constitution o
the United States ordnined and established
by the people in Order TO form n more perfect ur-
ion establish justice, insure domestic tranquility
provide for the common defence. and secure the
blessings OF liberty, ard contains AM pie provisions
for the protection Of ie. liberty, and property,
everycizen the dearest constitutional rights o the
people OF Kansas have been irauduenty aud vio.
lenily taken from them; their Territory has been
| invaded by an armed force; spurious and pretend.
ed legislative, judicial and executive officers have
teen set over them, by whose usurped authority,
susta ined by the military power OF the Govern nent
tyrannical and unconstitutional laws have been
enacted and enforced; the rights of the people 10
keep and bear arms have been inringed; test oath,
| OF an extraordinary and entangiing nature have
been imposed, condition of exercising the
right of suffrage and holding office. the right OF an
accused person to speedy and public trial by ur
impair ial jury has been denied the right OF the
people TO be secure in their persons, houses, paper-
| and effects against unreasonable searches and
| seizures has been violated, they have been de-
priv,d of life, liberty, and property, without du,
process of law; tha' the freedom of speech and o
| the press has been abridged; the right TO choose
| their representatives has been made of no effect
murders, rObberies. and arsuns. have been insi "a
ted and encouraged, and the offenders have beer
| aioNtu W ~ uu tHtso thiHe
have been done with the knowledge, sanction, ano
procurement, of the present Administrator; and
| that tor this high crime against the Constitution
| the Union, and Humanity, we arraign the Ad
mini.;ratiun the President, his advisers, agents
supporters, apologiss, and accessories, either be
fore or aier the facts. be lore the coHntry, and he
lore the world; and that il is fixed purpose t,
bring the actual perpetrators OF these a,rociou
outrngcs. and their accomplic,s, To sure and con
dign punishment hereafter
~. Resolved, That railroad to the Pacii,