The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-10-26

nave we any evidence Cnat tneSe cOnStl'
tutional rights will be defended? In order
to answer this question correctly, we must
first examine the platform and then analyze
the sentiment of the party. We shall then
be able to ascertain what its predominant
idea is. Platforms do not always represent
the men who control the party. They are
too often used as means to an end--a
stage on which men of various shades of
opinions and degrees of influence play the
parts assigned them during Presidential
campaign but when the performance is
over, and the President inaugurated, the
managers take control of him, while the
people are left to see that the scenery and
costume are taken care of for future use.
First, then, what are the principles en-
bodied in the platform? Second, what is
the prevailing idea of the party? Do they
harmonic?
The following resolution of the Chicago
platform contains the principles of the par
ty. The rest relate to measures and gen.
eralities:-
2. That the maintenance of the principles
promulgated in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, and embodied in the federal constitution
is essential to the preservation of our republi-
can institutions, and that the federal consttu.
ton. the rights of the States, and the union of
the States must and shall be preserved.
In the Declaration of Independence, to
which the above resolution refers, we find
the following:
We hold these truths to be self evident: that
all men are created equal; that they are en-
dowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rirhfQ.
the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these
rights, governments are instituted among men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed; that whenever any form of gov
eminent becomes destructive OF these ends it
is the right of the people to abolish it, and to
institute new government, laying its founda
tions on such principles, and organizing its
powers in such form as to them shall seem
most likely to affect their safety and happiness.
Now what says the Constitution?
Congress shall make no law respecting "a
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the free
dom of speech or of the press; or the right OF
the people peacably to assemble and 20 peti.
ton the government for redress ct griev.
ances.
Again it says:
This constitution, and the laws of the United
States which shall be made in pursuance there
Of, and all treaties made, under the authority
of the United States, shall be the supreme Law
be bound thereby, anything to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before
mentioned, and the members of the several
State Legislatures, and all executive and judi
cial officers, both of the United States, and O
the several States, shall be bound by oath OF
affirmation to support this constitution.
Again:
The citizens of each State shall be entitled tt
the several States.
Here are rights so clearly set forth thai
they can be understood by all, without al
Interpretation by the Supreme Court.
If M. Garrison desires to publish an anti-slave
ry paper in Richmond, the President is bound b
his oath Of office to defend him against MODS 0,
State la,cs. Should Wendell Philips take int
his head to stump the South, he nxsst be protected
# necessary, By the army and na1y.
It seems to me that this platform is broad
enough to hold all who regard slavery az
an evil, and yet high enough in its tone to
satisfy the most radical anti-slavery men
who desire to see slavery abolished in the
most speedy and at the same time constitu-
tional manner and the only question is,
will the Republican party come up to the
standard which it has itself erected? Why
should it not? The government win be IL,
the hands of men s0ho regard Slavery as a
curse and crime. and they ,0,H haze the
means necessary to accomplish their purpose
The leading idea of the fathers was liberty
and they agaitated the subject until the peo.
pie were ready to revolutionize the govern
ment, and to lay down their lives to attain
their ends.
Jefferson went to the verge of constitu-
tional power to break down federalism and
build up Republicanism.
The controlling idea of jackson Was in
dividual equality, against moneyed mo-
nopoly and in order to throttle the United
States Bank. he trampled the constitution,
as construed by the Supreme Court, under
his feet.
Since his administration the power of the
government have been welded to sustain,
consolidate and extend moneyed monopoly
based on human flesh, amounting to two
thousand millions of dollars and, to accom-
plish this masterpiece of despotism, the con-
stitution has been misinterpreted and gross
ly violated.
The republican party is made up of
Northern men with northern sentiments,
and we have right to infer that the con-
trolling influence of the Lincoln administra-
ton will be in favor Of liberty and equality,
founded on natural and constitutional rights;
and to secure these rights to every indi.
vidual, they will have to employ such means
as the constitution has placed in their hands,
and which, if used, will lead to the following
results:
l. The prohibition of the employment Of
slaves in the dockyards and Executive depart
ments.
2. The abolition Of slauery in the District Of
Columbia.
8. Ultimate emancipation in the Slaue States
by the introduction Of free speech and a free
press. lT .aat
4. The exclusion of slavery from the Terrific.
ries by the same agencies, or by Congressional
Intervention as the last resort.
This is the republican platform when |
stripped to its naked framework, and is in |
harmony with the leading sentiment Of the
party. Why should not you and your party,
and Mr.. Garrison and bis associates, join
the only organization that can lift the yoke
from the necks of the down-trodden and
oppressed? We do not need your votes to
secure the election of Mr.. Lincoln, for 1 |
suppose it is regarded, if not conceded by
all intelligent politicians, that he is to be
tho novt proc;Jonf Rn<y vo, vo,,l1 ola |