The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-02-27
RECORD pF THE PAST.

In times q. public connection such as now
agitates the country, it is not strange that men
sometimes lose their bearings. ard become coii-
fused in their views. Political parties, act
ing under strong influences, ana in the
strength u widely dfiused sympathies, are es
peciaiy susceptible TO the force OF the drifts
which unexpected circumstances apt 10 de-
velope. We presume there are many honest
men, whose attachment 10 the name of :" Dcmoc-
Z racy" has blinded them 10 the shame which has
covered all the latter years OF the Democratic
party, and VINO yet, in consequence, remain in
connection with that organization. who have al
/ lowed themselves 20 believe that the position
now occupied by the Republicans is oGe so en-
iireiy novel and unprecedented in the history OF
/ the country "a 10 present reasonable excnse,
/ if not partial Justification. for the wild procee-
| dngs which have taken place III Of the
Southern States. Ii is wort while, therefore.
/ TO take SOME observations oi the attitude really
presented by the Republicans TO day, and see
whether We have, in fact, driftcd upon new
shoal
Such is the excitemen, and prejudice now pre-
vailing, that il will hardly be believed by some
men, even of ordinary intelligence, that the posi-
ton nor heidhy hs II pnbticans IL. reference to
the SidreTy question as less radical than that
,ch;eh 'cas occupied t,ceire years ago ty majr-
ity II the Wigs ard Democrats in the North
ern States And vet the fact is susceptible OF
the clearest proof, as well as the further fact,
that the Democratic party iE Michigan, and in
almost every other Northern ate, at that pc
riod, declared the same identical principles in
reference to that question, which are deelartd an
tie Chicago Piatorm
These assertions have been proved and over
again both from the stump and in the press, and
and will be assented to by all whose recoliections
are unclouded by party mists, but the circum-
stances Of the time justify a reteration both of
the statements and the eyiderce.
Let us begin with our own State Of -ViCU
/ IGAN, at that time, aud Until the Democratic
party broke down the Missouri COMPROMISE at
the demand OF the South, one OF the strongest
Democrrtic States in the Union. In lsi., the
Michigan Legislature resolved:
! THAT, in the acquisition Of any ne. territory,
whether by purchase, conquest, or otherwise.
We deem it the duty OF the General Government
| To extend over the same the Ordinances OF lsS!,
with all its rights and privileges, conditions and
immuuities.'
In lS49, the Legislature being Yet Democratic,
the folio wing resolutions, offered by f. II. Thorn
son. OF Flint, the late candidate for Congress, in
the fourth district, Were adopted:
" Resoiredbg tie Senate and House of Repre-
seatatiges Of the State of Nichigan, That We
consider the result of the late war with Mexico
in the acquisition OF the Territories Of New Mex
leo and California an enduring monument to
the honor OF our gallant Army, regulars and vol
unteers, officers and soldiers; and that We re-
joice in the prospect OF extending over thai
county the benefceut laws and institutions OF &
free people.
e" Re, Oiued That are in favor of the funda
mental principles of the ordinance of 1857 and
/ alf oh .ia of mo amin,
ent statesmen and jurists, that slavery is mer,
local institution, which cannot exist without pos
tive laws authorizing its existence, get 'ee be
here ihot Congress has the porer and that 1t a.
their duty to prohibit by Legislative enactment
the introduction sristcnce of siacery ,c,thit
any Of the 1erritories Of tie United States nou
o, hereafter to be acquired.
"Re>otred That Senators in Congress 81
instructed, and cur Representatives requested
10 use all honorable means to accomplisi, the ob
jects expressed in the foregoing resolutions; ant
that the Governor of this State be requested I,
forward copies OF these resolutions to our Sena
tors and Representatives i'll Congress
In these resolutions, the recognition OF tn
entire Republican doctrine is most emphatic
going even TO the length OF requiring that Al
express prohibition OF slavery shall be made il
all the territories thereafter TO be acquired
We ask every man who reads this article 90 com
pare the phraseology as well as the sentiment o
these resolutions OF Democratic Michigan Lc
gislature, with the phraseology and sentiment
o: the resolutions OF the Chicago platform quo
ted further down.
In the same year. The Democratic State Con
vention, which nominated Governor and Stat,
officers, passed unanimously thc following:
"Resolped, That are opposed 10 the exten
sion OF slavery into the Territories of -Ne1c 4Ner
! ico and California, believing them to be now ire
; in virtue of the laws of Mexico and thai its es
tablishment in either of those Territories oucb
to be prevented"
This was Democracy in lsi9. Il is RepuBI;
cdnism nor.
, NEW HAMPSHIRE was one OF th
strongest jackson States in the Union. and cen
tinued to give large m9jo:ities for the Democrat
candidates until Democracy became debauchet
by slavery. In ls4,, the Legislature OF IN
: State, containing an immense Democratic major
4 ity, resolved;
f THAT in all territory which shall hereafter b
added to, or acquired by, the United States
where slavery does bot exist at the time OF sue
addition requirement. neither slavery nor in
j voluntary seEyi;ude, except for the punishment
. oil crime, whereof the party has been daily Cor
victel, ought never TO exist, but that the sam
should ever remain free; and We are opposed [
the extension of slavery over ANY such territory
II and tha, We also approve of the vote Of our Ser
e ators and Representatives in Congress IL. faro
r of the Wiln,ot proriso.
In lSiS, the Legislature of New Hampsbir,
> which had an overwhelming Democratic majority
resolved as follows:
b THAT we are in favor Of the passage OF Law
G by Congress, forever prohibiting slavery in Ne
A Mexi,O ard California, and in all other Terrific
ries now acquired, or hereafter to be acquire
by the United States, in which slavery does nl
exist at tie time of such acquisition"
c And in 1919 the New Hampshire Legislator,
n still strongly Democratic, unanimously adopte
:, the following resolutions
"Resolred By the Senate ard House OF r
prese,tatires an General Court ccnpened. Tha
= opposed to every form OF oppression, the peop
p OF Eew Hampshire have ever viewed with dee
:, regret tine existence OF slavery in this Union
that while they have steadfastly supported
e sections in their constitutional rights they ha'
lie not only lamented its existence as great soci
J. evil, bat regarded it as frsught with danger
the peace and welfare of the nation.
"Resolred, That while we respect the righ
of the slaveholiing as well as the free portion
the Union, while we will not willingly conse
(. that wrong be done to any member of the q