Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-11-27
CURRENT TOPICS.

called Democratic party, of whose prin-
cipIes he is distinguished exponent, is
rooted in the Constitution" and has al
ways been the champion of labor.
Let's see about that
In the elections of 1860 that great
constitutional party lost the control of
Executive department of the govern
ment Both the Legislative and Judi
cial remained in the hands of its friends.
Its most conspicuous leaders at once
fed the halls of Congress and plunged
the country into the most disastrous
war of modern times. The new Presi-
dent (Mr. Lincoln) in his inaugural ad-
dress, in solemn terms, asserted that the
party of which he was the head had no
intention of disturbing the institution
of slavery where it then existed (the pre-
text of the conspirators for secession
and revolutionl, and solemnly implored
the actors to desist, and the People to
stand by the government in its integri-
ty. No tenderer appeal was ever ad-
dressed to people, and, thanks to the
invincible courage and fortitude of a
great People, to-day and for all time
that grand man stands on the topmost
pinnacle of fame. But what was the
reponSe of the Gazette, that great ex-
FOUNDER and champion of the Constitu-
ton? What was the response of the So
called Democratic party? Sneers and
ribald abuse of the President. "Not
another man nor another dollar for the
prosecution of this unholy war; said
the party in resolutions, while the Viii
derness and the heights around Chatta-
noOga were lurid with musketry and the
very continent shook with the roar of
cannon and charging squadrons. When
the first call for volunteers was made,
while the drum-beat was heard all over
the North, they swore in their wrath it
was "a war to free the nigger," and they
would have nothing to do with it. That
there might be no occasion for party feel
ing, the Republicans dropped their par
ty name, and all men who were in favor
of upholding the Union in its integrity
were invited to organize themselves into
what was called the Union party. That
organization the patriotic Gazette styled
"the Union savers" Its party main
tanned its party name, and did what it
co falv oould to an1 horracc tho ODarotionc
Of the armies of the country. When
news of a reverse reached the North
they paraded the streets, and sagely an
nounced "YOu can never conquer the
South" When news of great victory
arrived, while patriotic men and women
were out rejoicing, they were skulking be-
hind closed blinds. In critical period
of the war the party nominated and sup
ported for Governor of Ohio man
whose chief distinction was that he had
been banished from the country for dis
loyalty.
These historical facts but family il
luStrate the measure of devotion to the
Constitution of that great constitution
al party.
Now let us see what it has done for
labor.
When that party come into power in
national affairs millions of laborerS were
slaves. The institution was planted in
the country in colonial times. The best
men among the founders of the repub-
lie deplored its existence, and hoped the
blot would ultimately be removed. In
time political dynasty was organized
with slavery for its cornerstone. The
war with Mexico was provoked for the
purpose of extending its boundaries.
1t stalked insolently in the halls of Con-
gress. At its command United States
Marshals were made slave catchers, and
authorized to summon a posse cOE1itGtltS
of the whole North to help them run
down escaping slaves. Even the Su
preme Court was Frustrated at its feet
Never in the history of the country was
political degradation so great. Slowly
a political organization arose whose
watchword was 'tNo further extension
of slavery" and as it gained in power
in the North the slavery party became
more insolent and imperious in its de-
mands. Not content with oStracising
and mobbing men who had the moral
courage to say human slavery was
wrong, the party undertook by the same
methods to suppress men who objected
to Matchmaking the institution. 1t
planted itself fairly upon the doctrine
that the STAKEHOLDER could carry human
chattels into the Territories, and that
the national government was bound to
protect him. The party repealed the
Missouri Compromise measure deem
ed as sacred as the Constitution itself
in order to open new fields for human
slavery and the degradation of labor,
and its representative from this district
voted for its repeal. 1t did its level best
to fasten slavery upon California and
upon Kansas. Its most conspicuous
leaders looked with contempt upon all
men who had to earn living in the
sweat of their faces, and spoke con-
temptibly of them as "mudsills." 1t
opposed the Homestead Act, the most
beneicent measure except the emanci-
patton of 100000 laborers from slavery,
in the history of American legislation.
These, likewise, are historical facts.
The truth is the leaders of opinion of
the so-called Democratic party-the men
who direct its policy and control its des-
tiny-are plantation nabobs of the
South, who still flourish the bull-whip
and pistol over "nlggers," and coal oil
barons, railroad ~wreckers, and money
sharkS-like Brice, Whitney and the
like.
ARRANGEMENTS are in progress for
the annual Farmers Institute, which
will be held about the holidays. These
institutes are not only valuable aids 10
farmers sort of travelling Farmers
College, as it were, where lectures upon
practical topics are delivered, and illus
trations of scientific farming shown
but in literary and social way are of
great advantage. Some of the lectures
delivered at these institutes are among
the finest from a Durely literary stand