The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-04-09


Who are the Abeiissesisess
We see 90 much printed in the Democratic
papers, and hear 20 much sid upon the streets
daily. about "sbo.itionisn," and "aboIition,
thar the enquiry naturally arises, who do they
means Who is it upon whose devoted heads.
oil this anashema, 10 heaped? Who are tie
aSolitionisssS Let rs see.
We understand any man, Who b In favor Of
the exercise any power, outside Of the States
where slavery exists, for the abolishmsnt Of
slavery, to be an abolitionist, and any party
composed Of such men, 70 be an abolition party.
In those days, parties are best known by their
platform, and, if the dominant party, By their
connected with party organizations, may enter
tain peculiar views, not held by the great ma.
jorisy Of the party, to which they belong. They
do not give character, or name to the party, but
take their name from the party with whom they
are acting. Their party is not responsible for
their id,osyncrasies. They may approve the
policy OF their party, and yet their own peculiar
notions be foreign to that policy,
Now, bearing these evidsn: truths in mind,
let Us see ii either Of the great politcs! parties
Of the present day, can, with any degree oil
fairness, be called s0olitionists.
Tue Republican party, through their delegates
who assembled In National Convention, at Chica-
60 Oh the iotn day OF May, 1860, put forth to
the world their platform Of principles, and upon
the suojcct OF ABOLITION, the language OF that
platform Is as foiiows:
- Tat the maintenance invio,ats Oi the rights
OF the states, AND especially The rights vi each
SIdte, " order anu Control is own domestic IN
stItulioas, according u its own judgment exclu-
siycIy, Is essential W that balance vi power ON
WHICH the perfection aud endur snce VI our Do
jiticai iailn depends, and We denounce the Law.
less INVASION oy armed torce Vi the soil Of any
State or Territory, no naalter under what prete1t
rs among the 9iavest vi cfimes."
Standing upon tlat platform Abrahau Lincoln
was elected President vi the United S,ates, and
has administered the Government for thirteen
months. Caa gu, adversaries point ~ a single
act of MS administration, squirting towards the
abolition vi slavery, in any other manner, than
by voluntary action Ut the States where slavery
exists: Can they point to single resolution Or act
OF the party as such, who adopted that platform,
sho~ins that they have either in letter or spiri.
departed thereir0m.
In the conduct OF the war, which the Presi.
dent found upon his hands, when he entered
upon the duties Ut ns office, up to the present
moment, ne has carefully abssained from doing
any act. or allowing any act TO be done, in con.
uasention Of the p atiorm upon which he was
elected; and it is curious, and to our Demo.
cratic neishbors, should Dc an instructive cir.
cumstance, that the first overt act Of practical
abolition, was inaugarated, by one Of the mos.
incorrsiole, and hard headed Of their own par.
~. 40 r'ght-heartsd old Ben Butler, 10 due the
honor Of hrst conceiv,ng the idea, and inmedi.
acting upon IT, that Niryinia niggsrs, escaping
into our lines, were contraband" Of war.
1t is noe 70 be denied, that in the Republican
party, are lew men, who once acted with. and
were part Of the old abolition party. 30 also,
are there many men, now Republicans, who
xaze but reseMstz CONNECTED With the Democrat
i.sd, but that aboiitionists and democrats have
become republicanized. Garrett Smith, one OF
the chiefs OF aboiitionism, at the last Prss,dsu.
tial election, although himself the candidate Of
the soolitionlsts, in the State Of New York. for
Governor, threw ali his influence In favor Of the
Democratic Candidate, aud William Lloyd CARR
son, the founder Of the abolition party, ut this
monens hates inc Republicans most cordially.
and hcips the democratic party BY opposing
what is opposes. Yet th,s does not prove that
that Is the ABOLITION party.
What small VIC say then? This constant and
pers's'snt cry OF ''aooiltonss," BY the so.callsd
democratic organs, Is not only untruthful, but
shameful. In Inc desperation Of tast party. t.
regain their lost power, IN the councils Of shs
nation, and tnsir laundering alter the aesh pots.
Oh she 1overn"sat, they have solsmniy resolved
U" nx an odious name upon tnsir opponents, to
endeAver " link tnem with rebels q Joint author.
OF the war, and -, by dins Of persistent lying
Win the aia OF cAbal. embracing within it,
fold both Northern ana Southern traitors. 70 dis-
place the party now in power, seize the reins Of
Government, overturn and Ie-construcs accord.
ing to 'neir own good pleasure. Gentlemen
this howl Of abolition abolition I" which You
nave set up will NOS do. The people are alreay
In possession OF your plan Of battle. Thsy
have NO iaith in your generalship. They will
not follow you as leaders. Take heed lest they