Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-24
Seletteo sfllstflIanp.
From the Detroit Free Press.
Is the Republican Party Abolition.
ized.


We have in previous articles spoken of the
principles of the Democratic party, as promul-
gated by the only body having authority to speak
upon that point. and we now propose to try the
same test to the Republican organization. Ii is
more difficult to do this satisfactorily because that
party is composed of fragments of Others which
have from time broken away from the regular
party organizations of the country, and were ap
parently associated together for a single cam
paign, and not because they fully conceded in
their political principles. Here in the ranks we
find staunch Wings, who almost adore Daniel
Webster and Henry Clay, sturdy, fanatcal Abo
Iitionists, who look upon Wendell Phillips and
Charles Sumner as almost inspired, and who be-
lieve john Brown was patriot as pure as Wash
ington, "free soil' Democrats, who have warred
always against the cardinal principles of the
Wing party, and now agree with their present.
associates only in the abstract proposition that
call men are born free and equal, and from
thence argue and insist that all. however ignorant
and debased. are equally capable of maintaining
a government like our own, which is admitted to
be the most complicated and difficult ON earth,
and requires the highest order of intellect and
intelligence to administer it properly. These
three great divisions, each having separate party
organization, have joined for the purpose of over
throwing the regular Democratic party. In the
last contest they were aided by others who are
really prosavery in all their sympathies and opin
ions. Ii is difficult we say, to show precisely the
opinions Of this party acting under its present
name. We might. il is true, go back and repro
duce the opirions of each fragment as promul
gated in their national conventions, and claim
that these opinions still govern the respective dI
visions which announced them as a rule of action
But this the leaders might claim was unfair, and
we shall only refer the reader to the time and
place wher the parties which coalesced to form
the Republican party held their conventions, and
let each one examine tie resolutions adopted for
himself The first Abolition National Conven-
ton was held at Warsaw, in the State of New
York, on the 18th of November, 1899, whe,
James @. Brney, then Of New York, was nom
mated for President, and Francis j. Lemoyne, of
Pennsylvania, FOR Vice President. The platform
adopted was anti slavery.
The next was the Wing National Convention
held at Harrisburg Pennsylvania, on the 4th of
December, 1888, when William II. Harrison was
nominated for President and John Tyler for
platform of principles The next in point of
time was the Liberty Party, so called. which
met in Buffalo on the 30th of August, lS43, and
nominated James @. Birney, who had then be
come a resident of Michigan, for President. and
Thomas Morris for Vice President This Con
vention adopted series of resolutions, of the
most violent anti slavery character. and promul-
which, the Convention declared. rendered some
clauses of the Constitution absolutely void.
In le46, the Wing National Convention met
at Philadelphia, and nominated Zachary Taylor,
of Louisiana President and Millard Fillmore
of New York, for Vice President. This Con-
vention refused to adopt any declaration of prin-
ciples.
During the eventful year of ls4s. the "Free
Democrats" held National Convention at Buff
fslo. on the 9Th Of August. which nominated
Martin Jan Buren,, OF New York, for President,
and Charles Francis Adams. our present Minis
ter at the Court of ST. James. for Vice Presi-
dent. The resolutions adopted were of the same
violent character upon the subject of slavery as
those adopted by the Liberty Party" in ls43.
In 1882. a Whig National Convention assem-
bled at Baltimore and nominated General Win
field Scott for President, and William A. Gra-
ham. of North Carolina. for Vice Resident. This
Convention adopted tae following resolution on
the subject of slavery:
Resolced. That the series of acts of the thir-
ty-second Congress, the act known as the fug
tive slave law included. are received and acqui-
esce1 in by the Wing party of the United States
as a settlement in principle and substance of the
dangerous and exciting questions which they EN-
brace, and, 20 far - they are concerned. we will
maintain them, and insist upon their strict en-.
ioreement. until time and experience shall de-
guard against the evasion of the laws on
the one hand. and the abuse Of this pow
er on the ofher--not impairing their present eff
cienry; and We deprecate all further agtstion Of
the question thus settled dangerous to our
?etre and will discountenaDce all efforts to con-
unue or renew such agitation. whenever, wherev-
er OF however the attempt may be made; and
we will maintain this system as essential 20 the
nationality Of the Wing party, and the integrity
Of the Union"
This. it will be remembered, was substantially
the same resolution adopted by the Democratic
National Convention which nominated General
Pierce for President This proposition. however,
it y proper to say. Was violently opposed. and
was carried by a vote Of 2I2 IN favor. TO 40
agsinst il. The entire delegation in the Conven
ton from this State opposed is with much vehe.
mence.
The Free Democracy" held convention in
1892, on the llth Of August, at Pittsburgh. Penn.
sylsmia, over which Henry Wilson, now Senator
from Massachusetts. presided, and nominated
John z. Hale. Of New Hampshire. fov President
and Geo. W Julian, OF Indiana. for Vice Presi
dent. To show the extreme grounds taken by
this convention, We win quote only one resolu'
ton, as all upon this subject are OF the same
general character: