The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-05-21


party is the natural aud persistent enemJ
of abolition. Upon this question its re-
cord as national organic ltiou, however
it may have been at times with particular
men or in particular States, is clear aud
unquestionable. Ffom the beginning oi
the anti.sfavery agitation to the period Of
the last Democratic National Convention
it has held but one language in regard to
it. Let the record speak:
"Resolced, That Congress has no pow.
er under the Constitution to interfere with
or con'rol the domestic institutions of tbs
several States, and that such States are
the sole and proper judges of everything
appertaining to their own affairs not pro.
hibited by tbs Constitution; that all eff,
forts of the Abolitionists or others made
to induce Congress to interfere with ques-
tions of slavery, or to take iucipient
steps in relation thereto, are calculated
to lead to the most alarming and danger
Gus consequences, and that all such efforts
have an inevitable tendency to diminish
the happiness of the people aud endanger
the stability and permanency of the Union,
and ought no. to be counteuanced by any
friend of our political institutions"
| Upon these principles alone. so far as
relates to slavery, can the Union, as it
was, be restored; aud no other Uaion,
except the Unity of Despotism, can be
maintained in this country: and this last
we will resist, as our fathers did, with our
lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
But it is said that you must disband
the Democratic party "to support the
Government" We answer that the Dem
ocratic party has always supported the
Government; and while it was in power
preserved the Government 10 all its vigor
and integrity, not by force and arms, but
by wisdom. sound policy and peace. But
it never did admit, and never will, that
this administration, or any administration,
is "the Government" It holds and ever
has held, that the Federal Government is
the agent of the people of the several
States composing the Union; that it con.
sists of three distinct departments-the
| legislative, the executive, and the judicial
each equally part of the Government
and equally entitled to the confidence aud
support of the States and the people;
and that it is the duty Of the patriot tc
sustain the several departments of the
Government in the exercise of all the
constitutional powers of each which may
be necessary and-proper for the preserv
alton of the Government in its principle;
and in its vigor and integrity, and stant
by and defend to the utmost the flag
which represents the Government.
!. In this sense the Democratic party la,
always sustained, and will now sustain
the Government against all foes, at home
or abroad, in the North or the South
open or concealed, in Office or out of Of
fee, in peace or in war
If this is what the party mean by sup
porting the Government, it is an idls
thing to abandon the old and tried Dem
ocratic party, which for so many year.
and through so. many trials supported
preserved and maintained the Govern
ment of the Union. But if their rea
purpose be to aid the ancient enemies O
the Democracy in subyertlBg our presen
1 Constitution and form of government
and, under pretense of saving the Union
to erect strong centralized despotism Of
its ruins, the Democratic party will resis
them as the worst enemy to the Constitu
ton and the Union, and to free govern
ment everywhere.
We do not propose to consider no,
the causes which led to the present I'm
happy civil war. A filter time will com
hereafter for such discussion. But W
remind you now that compromise mad
your Union, and compromise fiftee
months ago would have saved it. Re
peated efforts were made at the last ses
! sion of the Thirty sixth Congress 20 ibi
this end. At every stage, tie great mas
of the South, with the whole Democrati
party, and the whole Constitutional Upio
party of the North and West, united i
, favor of certain amendments to the Con
stituion - and chi-f among them th
well-known Crittenden PROPOSE ions,
which would have averted civil war an
: maintained the Union. AT every stag
all proposed amendments inconsister
with the sectional doctrines of the Chic,
go Platform were strenuously and unan
mously resisted and defeated by the Il,
publican party. The "Crittenden Pro-
> oslions' never received single Repul
5 lican vote in either House. For the pro
we appeal to the journals of Congre
and to the Congressional Globe.
It We scorn to reply to the charge th;
n the Democratic party is opposed
e granting aid and support to the FEEDER
r Government in maiutaining its safety, il
e tegrity and constitutional supremacy, an
If in favor of disbandiug our armies ar
e succumbing to the South. The char&
e is libelous and false. No man has adv
u Gated any such proposition. Democra
n recognize it as their duty as patriots
al support the Government in all constit
le tloual, necessary and proper efforts
rel maintain its safety, integrity and cons
IN tutional authority; but at the same tir