The Portland daily press., 1864-06-24
struction. 1t is in fact signing their own death

sructon. IL IS IN Tact signing their own death
warrant.
Afraid to give the people an opportunity to
say whether negro slavery shall longer curse
this fair land or not! What democracy such
a vote shadows forth Even the Autocrat of
all the Russias will be astonished at such self
imnolation upon the altar of human bondage,
and all the governments Of Europe will be
thunderstruck at such demonstration on the
part OF American Democracy. We venture
the opinion that no true democrat, whether
residing in the old or the new world, can APP
prove of human slavery pers Sc. 1t is as far re-
moved from true democratic principles as
Heaven is from that other unmentionalle
place. American Democracy will vet ask the
question, what good can grow out of the "sum
of all vilianies?' And can the leaders give
satisfactory, or even a. rational answer?-
How often have we been told that the democ-
racy of the country is not in favor OF, but op-
posed 10, slavery in itself, but in the same
breath the declaration is made that the Con-
stitution justifles 1t, and therefore no consti-
tutonal right exists to NEEDLE with Il. In
that view Of the subject there was plausible
excuse for saying "hands off," but now no
such excuse can reasonably be made. The
democratic representatives In Congress have
assumed the responsibility of voting against
any amendment of the constitution which may
prohibit slavery, therefore the inference is fair,
legitimate and irresistible that they love and
advocate it as good institution of our coun-
try.
Does the representative from this congress.
slonal district for one moment suppose that
the democracy here can carry such load as
this vote on the amendment has fastened on
Its back? lfhe does he will find himselfmost
wofully mistaken next autumn. The true
democrats Of Maine are opposed to slavery in
all its forms. None but those of the copper
head stripe favor it and they almost blush
when advocating it, at least, there is a little
stammering even in them, when their tongues
are employed in the. advocacy OF such a prn-
clpie. We believe the democrats of this State
would vote right on this question, If it could
be presented to them naked and dissociated
from party prejudice or party influence. And,
as it is, thousands of them cannot fail 10 look
at this vote in the House in its true light, and
govern themselves accordingly.
1t is not for US TO dictate the policy which
the opposition ought TO pursue but we ven
ture the prophecy that III they take such a load
on their backs and attempt to carry 1t through
the next campaign, their steps will be feeble
and tottering and they will fall under 1t never
to rise again.
1t is too late In the day for any political par
ty to shoulder slavery and attempt to carry 1t
along with any hope of success. And If the
democracy oil the country follow the lead Of
those democrats in Congress whose vote was
virtually in the interest Of this accused insti-
tuition, it will die out and be buried 30 deep
that the sound of no trumpet can ever awak-
en- 1t again. We place this prophecy on rec
ord to-day, and ere much time has elapsed it
will become a matter of history, and the world
will laugh at such suicidal policy. Aud yet
the copperheads OF the country may succeed
in binding this heavy, crushing burden upon
the backs of the democrats. They may not
come out boldly for such measure, but may
so far succeed as TO induce the Chicago Con-
yention to slobber 1t over and so lubricate il
that portion of the democrats may swallow
it themselves and hope the remainder will have
stomach for the same process. But we tell
them it is dangerous experiment one fraught
with the death OF the party, with Its total an
initiation. Dodge the question as you may,
gentlemen, slobber 1t over with all the skill
and cunning within your power, "paint 1t an
inch thick" and its real complexion will come
at last The peoples eyes are fast opening to
hetricks of demagogues, and they cannot
much longer be deceived. "Out upon this
halffaced fellowship" "He must observe
their mood on whom he jests, the quality of
persons and the time"