The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-08-30

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Now that the Democracy are deny
ing the power of Congress over the
question of Slavery in the Territories,
and endorsing the decision Of the Su-
preme Court that Congress has no pow
er to prohibit, but it is its duty to pro-
tect it in the Territories, we beg to call
the attention of our readers to what
Democracy used to be in Michigan. In
1s47, the Legislature, among other
things,
"ResolUed, That in the acquisition of any new
territory, whether by purchase conquest or other
ment to extend over the the ordinance of 1881
with all its rights and privileges, conditions and
immunities." ie
This resolution received the vote of
every democrat in both houses, nearly
two-thirds in each, as of every Wing,
and therefore passed uaanimously, and
was approved by Gov. Barry. In ls49
the following joint resolution was Of
fered by Hon. E. III. Thomson, the
present pro-slavery, bred Scott, nom
Intervention candidate for Congress in
the 4th district, and was also adopted
nearly unanimously: m ssifrra
''Resolved That we are in favor of the funda-
mental principles of the ordinance of 1887; and
although we respect the opinions of many eminent
statesmen and jurists that slavery is mere local
institution. which eyiSf wifi two
laws authorizing its existance yet believe that
Congress has the power, and that it is their duty
to prohibit by Legislative enactment the introduce
ton existance of slavery within any of the Ter
ritories of the United States, now or hereafter to
be acquired. .+a a, 81. =,
"Resoloed, That our Senators in Congress be in
structed and our Representatives requested to use
all honorable means to accomplish the object ex-
Governor of this State be requested to forward
copies of these resolutions to our Senators and
Representatives in Congress-"
These resolutions received the vote
of such consistent democrats as Geo.
B. Turner, editor of the Democrat,
Cassapolis, who is now railing against
the principles they contain, without
stint at all times, in all places, to all
men, right or wrong, drunk or sober.
These resolutions were thrust I'M the
teeth of old Gen. Cass, who had dis
tinctly refused to vote as there directed
yet so strong did the party then believe
in intervention, they were forced down
the old fellows neck, nolens Uolers.
The expression of an opinion in favor
Of Congressional Intervention against
slavery was not sufficient then-the De-
mocracy could not rest without instruct
ing our Members of Congress, positive
ly, that it was their duty to ''interfere
in the affairs of their neighbors.
But later still, in 1s49, at the State
Convention to nominate State officers,
the Convention adopted the following
Rssolued, That we are opposed to the extention
of slavery into the Territories of New Mexico and
California, believing them to be now free by virtue
of the laws of Mexico, and that its establish
ment in either of those Territories ought to be pre-
vented
The same convention which adopted
this resolution, unanimously nominated
John S. Barry for Governor and he
was elected, partly upon that issue.
Now the Democracy adopt platform
which endorses the bred Scott decision
which expressly says that there is no
such thing as free Territory under the
Constitution, and the same old John S.
Barry is nominated and run upon that
platform. They were either right in
1s49 and wrong now, or right now and
wrong then. Then they had popular
majority in the State: now they are in
an untold minority. The people have
decided that they are wrong now at
least. How well does it argne for the
ability, the interity, and the consisten-
cy of Barry to be riding horse of so
totally different color in 1860 from
which he rode eleven years ago? We
imagine his political honesty has been
somewhat damaged during the last few
years. The people will be 10th to trust
man who is SO VIGOROUSLY change
ling as the record proves old Barry and
the Democratic party to be.