The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-12
The Republican Platform Rejected by
the People-The Duty OF Lincoln.

The Republican Platform Rejected by
the People-The Duty OF Lincoln.
There is very great misconcepton as to the
position Mr.. Lincoln now occupies. He is in
the curious and anomalous position of being
elected President upon great issue involving
the integrity of the constitution and the very
existence of the Union while there is large
majority Of the votes Of the people recorded
against him and against the principles on
which he was supported.
In another column we reprint the Chicago
resolutions on which he was nominated last
May, and appended thereto a tabular view of
the popular vote in every State at the election
held on the 9th Of last month. 1t will be seen
that these resolutions assert the equality of the
black with the white man, by misapplication
of the language of the Declaration of Inde-
pendencc, which was never intended to apply
to negro slaves; that slaves are not property,
and that the master is not entitled to protection
under the federal government by land and sea;
and that to affirm that the constitution protects
slavery in the Territories sis revolutionary
and subversive of the peace and harmony of
the country and on the ground that mo
person should be deprived of life, liberty or
property without due process of law"
the resolutions further maintain that "the
normal condition of all the territory Of the
United States is that Of Freedom" and that it
becomes the duty of all republicans by legisla-
ton to maintain that principle, and to "deny
the authority of Congress, Of a Territorial
Legislature, or of any individuals, to give
legal existence to slavery in any Territory of
the United States" Lastly, that on these prin-
ciples, which are in direct violation of the con-
stiu,ion, "the Union of the States must and
shall be preserved" which, of course, implies
force Of arms; and to that end there is neces-
sity for perpetuation Of the party, las the
causes which called it into existence are per-
manent."
1t is very evident that these principles in
volve the abolition of slavery, not only in the
Territories, which are the common property of
all the States. those Of the South ms well "a
those of the North. but in the Southern States
themselves. For if the Declaration of Inde-
pendence applies to negro slaves, then liberty
is their "inalienable right" and the assertion
of ii in their regard sis essential to the prescr-
walton of cur republican Institutions And
by parity of reasoning. If slave has right
to freedom when he enters a Territory, he has
a right to it when he enters free State, not
outstanding the Fugitive Slave law and the
constitution itself; for the "higher law es-
tablishing his right to liberty as "inaliena-
BILE" il above all constitutions, and sets
him free in the slave States, and wherever he is
found. This is the logical deduction from the
resolutions. To accomplish it all that is neces-
sary is TO amend the constitution, or to have it
so interpreted by republican judges that it
will answer the purpose. The object must be
attained by some means or other. In the
language Of Mr.. Lincoln himself 1.-The ultimate
extinction Of slavery" is the end of the organi-
zation of the republican party.
This was the great issue presented to the
people on the 9Th of last month, with the fol-
lowing result
Whole number of votes cast. ........... 1859, $50
AGAINST THE CHICAGO PLATFORM.
Douglas. ......*.....*.......l,2 to,tso
Breckenridge. ...............s. SLOW $1,000.
He'll. .......s.......s.ss... iSosJUA-z,SZA,o,A
For THE CHICAGO PLATFORM.
Lincoln ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Il ,S5S 200
Majority agains, Chicago platform s6s,G74
No Southern State voted for Mr.. Lincoln. He
is purely sectional President elect Against
him personally neither the Southern States nor
Northern conservatives have any objection.
These do not care for Mr.. Lincoln per Sc. But
there was majority of million Of votes
s,,lo hnx Al oil
on the day Of election. Today there is a ma
jority Of at least t,co millions opposed 10 the
principles Of de party that placed Mr. Lincoln
in potr,r last month For him there was only
vote Of l,s5s.2O0; against him there was a
vote of 2s3i ,2s0. In consequence of the con
servative votes against him being divided be-
tween three candidates, he was elected on the
plurality rule by minority Of the people
having larger vote than any one Of his com
pe,itors. but less than majority of the whole
Had there been only one candidate against
him he would have been defeated, and the
| President and the popular vote would have
been on the same side. But owing to the pc
culiar forms Of the constitution, the number Of
candidates, and the system which generally
prevails, OF giving the whole electoral vote OF
State to the candidate who obtains plurali-
~. Lincoln has obtained an accidental majority
Of the Electoral Colleges, while he j. The re-
preventative Of only minority Of the people.
Now the whole theory Of our government is
founded on majorities, and in the very moment
Of his inauguration Mr.. Lincoln fnds himself
not only in a minority in Congress, but with a
large majority Of the people in antagonism
with him on the fundamental principles of the
United States government II l. very clear
that Il Is his duty 10 throw overheard
The platform Of the republican party, for
| If he does not secession and revo-