Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-13


which followed. viii any man say. who has any
regard for the truth Of history. that there Is any
greaDd in these resolutions Cor the charge that
the Democratic party was pro-slaveryI We
think not. AT different periods from 1910 to
ESQ almost all the Northern States which had
ever been Democratic, formed Constitutions. and
into every ono OF Them was inserted an article
forbiddng slavery or involuntary servitnde. In
these constitutions viii be found the judgment
and opinions of the leading Democratic states
men of the North upon the abstract question Of
slavery when applied TO their own respective
State Governmental But they did not undertake
TO prescribe rule Of action for the statesmen OF
the South. whether they belonged 10 the Demo
cratic or Wing parties. They conceded to them
as full and perfect right, under the Constitu-
ton OF the United States, to regulate the domes-
tic institutions of their respective States they
themselves claimed and exercised at home. And
more, they held il but right and proper. when
any State had made its election, il should be
treated kindly and courteously, for the Constitu
ton declared that 1.-THE citizens Of each State
rsre entitled 10 all privileges and immunifies Of
citizens is The sererai States" The comfy of ma
tons. nay, more than that, the intimate relations
existing between States forming such a Govern
ment as ours, demanded of each State the utmost
circumspection ard prudence in expressing an
opinion as TO the Institutions of another State
titled 10 equal rights and equal privileges. This
was all the Democratic party demanded. and this
the Constitution required
We have thus traced the principles OF that
party, as declared by the only body having any
authority TO speak upon the subject from the day
It was first introduced until the year 1856. In all
this time there was not word which indicated
that the party pro slavery, but on the con
trary its whole action clearly and distinctly pre-
claimed that upon this subject it only adhered TO
the compromises of the Constitution.
The political contest OF 1860 is too recent has
been impressed upon the minds OF the people too
firmly by the appalling events which have fol
lowed in quick succession. until the country is
cOnvused by civil wars, to need much comment.
We all remember the action of the Democratic
party. and know that it neither justly charged
with the faint of Abo,itonsm by the South or
pro. slaveryism by the North But to make the
record complete, give the resolutions adopted
ut Charleston and Baltimore. Those at Charles
ton were a follows:
Resoi1ed, That we, the Democracy of the
Union, in convention assembled hereby declare
our afirmance of the resolutions unanimously
adopted and declared platform of our princ-
plies by the Democratic Convention at Cincin-
natl in the year 1856, believing that Democratic
principles unchangabe in their nature when
applied to the same subject matters; and We
recommend the only further resolutions the
following:
ResOired, That il is the duty Of the United
States afford ample and complete protection to
all It's citizens, whether ut home or abroad, and
whether native foreign.
Resof1ed, That the enactments of State Legis-
latures to defeat the faithful execution of the
fugitive slave law, are hostile IN character sub
ueTsiue of the Constitution, and revolutionary in
their effect.
At Baltimore the following additional resolu-
ton was adopted, with only two dissenting votes:
ResOIOsd, That in its accordance with the in
depreciation of the Cincinnati platform. that du
ring the existence OF the Territorial governments;
the measure of restriction, whatever it may be
imposed by the Federal Constitution the pow
er of the Territorial Legislature over the subject
OF the domestic relations. as the same has been,
or shall hereafter be finally determined by the
Supreme Court of the United States, should be
respected by all good citizens and enforced with
/ prOmptness and fidelity by every branch of the
\ Government
Here ends the record of the principles laid
down by the Democratic party upon the subject
of slavery. There is not a sentence, a word, Z
syllable, even TO Indicate or show that the party
as such, is now. or ever has been pro slavery nc
more than there is TO show il is favor of abolition
At all times, at all places. and under all circum
stances. 1t has stood boldly up to the Constitution
and declared its readiness and willingness to hav,
that instrument carried out in good faith and
instead of being called sectional or pro slavery
1t has well earned the name which history viii
accord to il, as great constitutional party (which
administered the Government with eminent wis
dom and success for many years, and at last fel
before the fierce attacks of fanatics in the differ
ent sections ofth Union.-DetrOit Free Press.