The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-06-28
PoIiticaI Record.


friendly notice of the general character Of the
} Te6graph, during its twenty years EXISTENCE
+ The Democrat however in its attempts TO bring
in question the consistency Of the political rec
ord of the Telegraph makes some laundering
statements That paper says - .....# d #su.
"It(The TELEGRAPH) sustained Polk and the
annexation of Texas in lS48-Van Buren, and
his free trade, principles in lS4S-opposed the
Fugitive Slave Law, and supported John i. Hale
in IS52-supported Fremont in 1885, on plat.
form opposed to the Fugitive Slave law, and
the admission Of slave States-and now adYo-
Gates the election Of Lincoln, WHO'S in favor Of
d high protective tariff, an efficient Fugitive
Slave law, and also is not opposed to the admis
sion Of slave States" I.. t..-~, $3.50 ..
We thank the Democrat for Introducing the
subject of political consistency, not merely be.
cause it affords an opportunity for correcting the
erroneous statements of that paper, but more es-
pecially that we may show the recreancy of the
now so called Democratic party, to its once pro-
fessed principles First, then rs to the TELE-
GRAPHS support Of Polk and the annexation Of
Texas. The TELEGRAPH did advocate the cleo
ton Of Polk, but it must be remembered THAI
the Democratic party at that time, h ad not sur
rendered its position on the slavery question
the modern dogma Of Popular Sovereignty had
never been enunciated in the platforms Of the
party nor ever preached by the party in Con-
gres. On the contrary, it was then the doctrine
of the Democratic party, that Congress had en-
tire control over slavery in the Territories, and
that matter was so acted upon by every Demo-
cratic administration. Moreover, slavery was
then regarded by the partys only local, and
freedom held to be national. Such is the doc
trine held by the Republican party now, but it
is not the doctriue of the modern Democratic
party who then has changed AS to the an
nexahon ofTexds we have not time to look over
the files of the TELEGRAPH, to find what was
said about it but suppose the TELEGRAPH did
favor annexation Has this paper ever insisted
that Texas ought to be set back again Where
then the inconsistency Henry Clay insisted
that freedom would be the gamer eventually by
the annexation Texas, inasmuch as it would
ultimately compose five States three of which
would be free, and two slave,
Again, the Democrat says this paper "suppor-
ed Van Buren,, with his free trade principles in
1sl8." Here the Democratic knowledge of po-
litical history, is quite defective. Free trade
was not in the creed Of the party, that supported
Van Buren, in l849. The platform adopted at
Buffalo, as enunciated by the supporters of Van
Buren, on the subject of tariff was as follows
"Resoioed: That the obligations of honor and
of patriotism, require the earliest practicable
payment of the public debt, and we therefore
are in favor of such tariff Of duties, as will
raise revenue adequate TO defray the expenses OF
the Federal Government, and to pay the annual
iustslments Of our debt and interest thereon"
So much then, for the Democrats knowledge
ofVan Burenism and Free Trade in 1913. The
Democrat says this paper, opposed the Fugitive
Slave law in 1852 2" Well, what Of it? The
TELEGRAPH has always, and does noD, oppose
the Fugitive Slave law enacted in 1850. Has
there been any change therefore, in this respect:
Furthermore, the Democrat says the Telegraph
supported Fremont in 1856 on platform op.
posed to the fugitive slave law, and the admis-
sion of slave States-and now advocates the ell
ection Of Lincoln, who is in favor of a high pro-
tective tariff an efficient fugitive slave law, and
who is not opposed to the admission of Slave
States"
Some of the foregoing assertions are true, and
some untrue. The Telegraph and the Republi-
can party did support Fremont on a platform as
above stated. But this paper does not, nor does
the Republican party, advocate the election OF
Lincoln on any such platform OF principles a,
stated by the Democrat. As it respects Mr..
Lincon's record on the question of high tariff,
his opinions of the fugitive slave law, and the
admission Of new Slave States, we shall hereat-
ter produce from his printed speeches, made in
past years, testimony showing his true position,
And now we submit the case to every candid
man, has the Republican party changed on the
political issues before the country or has the de-
mocratc party deserted its once avowed princi-
Piles ? There is, by universal acknowledging mt
but one great matter at issue now before the
people-that is the slavery question. What par
ty has entirely changed its position on this issue
within the past twelve years? Let the record
tell. We commend to the Kenosha Democrat,
and the democrotic party Centrally, to the platform
adopted by the Democratic State Convention of
Wisconsin in 1s49. The slavery resolutions
read as follows
ResoLoed-That we are opposed to the adj
mission of any new States into the Union, the
constitution or laws of which create or sustain
slavery"
Resolccd-That we believe it to be the duty
of Congress to incorporate the provision of the
ordinance of 1887, prohibiting slavery or invo-
untary servitude into all Territorial or organic
acts, hereafter TO be passed, and to oppose the
admission into the Union of any new Slave State,
Resolutions recognizing the principles of the
Wimot Proviso, and the justice of intordicting
slavery in the Territories, were adopted twelve
years ago by the democratic party in most of the
Northern States. But where stands the demo
cratic party now 1t denies its paternity, and |
SCOTS at its once cherished doctrines. We trust |
that our neighbor, the Kenosha Democrat will |
for the general benefit of the democratic party |
pursue this subject, as to who has deserted the
standards of faith, held by the democracy few
years since. We have at hand many sound de-
clarations Of sentiment, adopted by democratic
conventions and enuncated by democratic states
men-such as Republicans approve now and
such as might show our democratic friends how
far they have gone astray from their once profes
sed doctrines.
The Issues of the Campaign.
The Kenosha Democrat of last week. has an
article on the tissues the campaign" in which
it is insisted that non-intervention by Congress
in the Territores-or i'll other words, popular
Sovereignty, is now the great issue before the
Al ;.