The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-17
An nrsronrc PARALLEL.

The Popuisstle press has recently been
engaged In the reproduction OF plank OF
the Republican national convention OF
1850. the same convention which nominat-
ed Abraham Lincoln for the presidency.
aud undertake TO convince their readers
that this plank Is substantially identicai
with the plank in the Chicago Platform
which denounced the use OF Federal troops
10 prevent the infraciion Of Federal laws.
during the Chicago riots This Is an cx-
tremely happy comparison The Repab-
lscan plank OF 1850 is as follows
section 4-That the maintenance invio-
late OF the rights OF the states ana es-
reesaiiy of the T.sft Of each state 70 ofoer
ard central iss own domestic institutions
according to la own judgment exclusive
iy Is essential 10 that balance OF power
In which the perfection and endurance OF
our political future depends. and We de-
nounce the lawiess invasion by armed
forces OF the soil OF any state or territory
no matter under what pretsxf. as among
the grayest OF crimes.
There are many stiu living who have
personal recoliections as 10 why this par
t.euiar plank was adopted and Just what
1, meant. II was the plank Of 'coneilis-
ton" intended 10 hold out the olive
branch 20 the South, by the promise that
the Republican party would not inter-
sere in any manner with the domestic
institution" of slavery. and by the as
claimer of any approval of the raid OF
John Brown into Virginia. The olive
branch was refused. the South was no, to
be conclliated. and within a very Few
months after the adoption of that resoiu-
ton. EARNED forces were invading the
soil of several states and engaged in very
active Interference with the domestic IN
s,ltution'' OF slavery. and those armed
forces were marching TO the music OF
song made In honor OF the 'lawless IN
yader' against whom the wording OF the
plank was directed The very policy which
at .ae start the Republican party in It's
platform repudlatad, 1t WAS forced by cir
cumstances 10 adopt, and the whole civil
ixed world rejoiees today that 1t did adopt
r. and thus wipe out the fouiest blot
which was then upon the nations es-
catcheon.
MOI II the populists wish 10 find an ex-
act historic parallel for their denuncia-
tians of the use OF Federal troops TO pre-
vent the infrseslons Of Federal laws. they
viii have to look at some Of the platforms
adopted In the seeding states. shortly af-
ter IAncoln's first call fer troops. or else
in some of the Democratic platforms
adopted about the same time There can
be found plenty of expressions which VIII
| III In accurately with tire Chicago plat
| forms dsnanclatory language. There VIII
! be found abundance Of illusions to the
! sacred soil Of the states" "lawless invad-
erS.~ ''usurpatlen of powers, and all Of
| the various phrases which the supporters
| OK the chicago platform Use in describing
| the action OF the president 81 the United
/ States when ne used the powers at his
/ command 10 see that the Federal laws.
/ which he was charged with the duty OF
/ administering. were Bes violated by a law
/ less mob acting with the consent and con-
/ nivanee OF state governor who was
/ heartily IN sympathy with that mob.