Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-03-01
THE REPUBLICAN.
For the Republican.

! Mr.. EDITOR: In looking over the ftyrl0ufh
Weekly Democrat of the 18th Feb.'y, observe in
his remarks respecting our late Republican County
Convention that the Editor has fallen into many
misapprehensons. He entiiely misrepresents my
political sentiments. He says: a E4e "a
1--WE believe the elderly gentleman is an avowed
abolitonist, and if the modern Republican party is
not abolition they here deny why is he with all
other aboitionists of the days of yore found acting
with them7''
As respects myself, personally and politically,
soon after became of age I joined the Democratic
ranks under James Madison's Administration, and
up to the year ls47 acted with that party in good
faith Since that time, ! acted first with the Free
Soil Democrats and for the last four years with the
Republicans prcfcrring the JeTersonian principles
rather than the empty name Of Democracy; the
leaders having abandoned the old landmarks Of the
party and wandered off after the lack god Of
Slavery extension. Another error Of his: He de-
clares that all the abotionsts Of yore are acting
with the Republican party. Can it be possible that
he, newspaper journalist. is so ignorant as not to
know that the old school abolitioniss Of Garrison
and Phillips and their adherents refuse entirely to
vote under the Federal Constitution, because they
regard it as upholding slavery? But, do not
wonder at his errors when take into consideration
that of late the logic Of bogus Democrats consists
almost entirely of slang, Misrepresentation and
vile E,lsehoods, in regard to their true sent-
ments as we'll as those Of the great Jeffersonian
Republican party of the present day. The truth
is, since ls47, that party has gradually wandered
farther and farther from its original land marks.
until it has become miserable pro-slavery organi-
zation, its leaders allowing no opportunity to pass
to defend and eulogize the institution one cal
culated to benefit both the black and the white
race, and also that Slavery is National and Free
dom Sectional. And if the latter doctrine is not
concurred in they will dissolve the Union. There
is another reason why the misscalled Democracy
prefer false cpithcts and mystiGcation rather than
an open and manly attack upon well known
platform Of principles, for in doing the latter they
well know they would be opening war upon tile
principles of the great apostle and founder of the
old Democratic party, Thomas Jefferson; and not
only so, but that would develop the fact that the
policy of the leading Democrats of the present day
is openly at Variance with the policy Of all the Ad-
nlinistrations from the foundation of the Republic
to the year ls47. Mr.. Democrat, to convince ev-
cry unbiased mind, that your party is pro slave
ry party, and that the Northern wing has become a
willing follower of the Southern slavery Oligarchy
and lords of the lash, it is only necessary to read
your paper. If you do not believe in the divine
ri: Int of Kings you evidently believe in the divine
right of the more dcspotic and cruel Ohgarchy in
the South, TO hold property in man and sunder at
pleasure the most cndearins ties of humanity
Oh how transccndantly beautiful and benign is the
peculiar institution according to the light tina;
has dawncd on you What pity that Washing
ton, Jefferson. Madison and 4 host Of other Revo-
utionary worthless, did rot enjoy the benefit of the
superior light Of this modern Alexander. Jcffcr
son would have bcen savcd tho trouble and dis
grace of producing his unconstitutional restrictive
Ordinance. Madison, in framing the Constitution
might have saved himself the trouble of exhibiting
his morbid antipathy to slavery by providing foI
the abolition Of the African slave trade. Patrick
Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and all the great
Statesmen of their day and time, down to lS47
would not, ccrtainly. under the cfulgcnce Of it:
beams, have forfeited the respect Of modern latter
day Saints and Democrat by teaching such abom
iuablc hcresies as they did in regard to Slavery.
Wen, wonderful changes have tlken place IL
the mi.ds of leading Democrats during the las
, twelve years A radical change has even como
over the spirit of Mr.. Bnchanan's dream. Twelve
years ago he stated deliberately to the American
people that "Thc inference in his opinion was ir
resistibe that Congress had the power to lcgisat,
upon the subject of slavery in the Territories; hs
asserts now, that the Constitution of the United
States establishes slavery in all the Territories
the Union, and that no human power can proven
it. What has of late come over him to revcrs
/, that deliberate opinion am at a loss to see.
certainly would appear weakness in the man if b
should base it on the simple ground that divide,
Court in giving an extra Judicial opinion could b.
the cause Of his or any other comnon-sense mar
turning right about face-more particularly s,
when taken into consideration that it complctel
rcverses FIVE former decisions given at dffercn
periods. and unanimously, in the said Courts, an
acted upon by all Administrations up to ls47.
But, to return to the Editor of the Democrat
He ntimates that we will go largely into distribu
ting Helpers book to help US on in the c,nvass-
Iwould merely suggest to him, that his own shcc
viii be much more valuable auxiliary, ifhc vii
continue masnifying his beloved peculiar nstitu
ton. All we shall have to do will be to compar
the sentiments he promulgates with the faith an
practice Of the fathers Of the Republic and famer
of the Constitution, and also with the doctrine hel
by ilustrious Statesmen of all parties and all ecc
tons down to a recent date to convince the peopl
. that Democratic doctrines are new and danserou:
Why are you so troubled about Helpers book
Mr.. Editor7 Ifit contains inccndiary scntiment
as you say it does. why don't you publish the es
tracts and allow the people to judge for themselves
: Is It treason for Southern man to denounce tn
institution of Slavery Ifso, what have you I
say Of washington, jefferson, Madison, and othe
iIlustrious Southern patriots? Is it incendiary i
a Southern man to recommend all opposed to tn
continuance of Slavery in the States where the
reside, to organize for its abolition by pcaceabl
, and legal means! If so, why don't you advocate
like Mr.. Douglas. the enactment OF "a law to i'm
!, prison freemen for holding and declaring sent
a ments in opposition to slavery Such law, 20
remember, MAS enacted by your beautiful party i
Kansas. Can't you go with Jour favorite cand
date for the Presidency, Mr. Douglas, for the pas
sage of similar law by Congress7 Republican