Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-23

aglned abuses and corruptions. and by
means OF delusiye promises and the eXhi-
hibition Of paseantres and munmer'es,
to the remembrance of which every cam
did mind reverts with shame. the people
of the United States were betrayed into
eleyating, by decisive majorlties. into
power. tie political party to which, un-
der all its assumed names aud protean
shapes, our principles and our apprehen-
solls had place, us in lrreconclahle hos
tility. From the disgrace OF overthrow
on the soil of the PatrIarchs of our Par
iy, Jefferson and Madison. we were, in
deed, saved BY the memories OF our anci-
ent renoWn, and the Union and energy
which the impending danget inspired.
From the citadel of our State Heated in
triumph. over a hard fought field, the
State Rights banner of'o9; but of little
else could we be proud. as around US a 9il
every side fell the stronyhoI''s of Repub-
Iicanisln and Democracy. How striking
the present reverse! With the cessation
of The reckless agitation which the unpre-
cendented arts and appeals of our OPP
ponents had inspired during the canvass,
came the return Of sober second thoughts
and the recurrence to fundame entail prnci-
pies. FLUSHED with the citations of I'M
'wontcd success. and embolhened by what
was deemed the assured possession of the
sreiis, patronage ard power of the Gov
eminent, tie so-cAIled Wings FASTENED
to throw aside the veil of deception and
concealUent, with which they had shroud-
ed III polite mystery their principles and
schemes; and, under the dictation Of an
nnperous leader, in the Extra Session
of l84l. developed to public observation
a system of connected measures, outstrip-
ping the ultrxism Of olden Federalisls,
and presenting to favored interests high
er bid for the possession of power than
has ever been seen since the Imperial
purple was exposed Cor public sale in the
Roman Forum. From the oonsumnla-
ton of all these measures. conceived in
total disregard of pledges and promises
made, and reiterated throushou the can
vass, and designed to be hurried through
ia tie libertil,ism OF recent triumph, the
President, who selected from iDvldi0us
policy, for the second office of the ma
ton, had, through an act Of Providence,
been elevated to the first, was deferred
by the remains Of his early Republican
principles, and the oft-repeated pledges
OF his previous political career. Thus,
in material respects, stayed and palsied
by the Executive Veto. these measures
came to be submitted to the revision and
arbitrament of people. Justly Indignant
at past deception, and fully awakened to
the startling consequences likely to be
visited upon them. Since, the voice Of
popular reprobation has rolled in tones of
thunder from almost every section of the
Confederacy. State after State, has re-
turned from its temporary alteration to
the standard Of Republicanism, until our
party, after regainIng more than all lt-has
lost, is now making triumphal entry into
the strong-holds Of their opponents. Thus
established in popular aseerdency, we
might seem warranted in confident anti.
cipation OF future and easy success, did
not the history Of all Fine, no less thar
the special ssns of the present, teach the
instructive lesson, that when we seem to
stand most securely, then are we most in
danger Of faling-that, in the hour Oh
highest prosperity, Turk tue dangers OF O.
ver-security and suplneness. Fold by
the fair results Of their own policy, our
opponents have gained the advantages OF
superior wisdom, and the energy of bit
/ Ter evaporation. They have neither alb
andoned the field, nor lost the hope OF
nj lss.ate success On the contrary, gath
e.ing their. forces, and marshaling all
the strength of tHeir favored interests
| they are rallying for a contest. to be con-
Quoted with that bitterness of feeling &
stutburnness of will, which men cast in
to their last and final struggle. 10 pre-
vent their regainiDg an as.endency they
have so abused, to secure the fruits of oul
recent victories, be assured our utmost VI
GLANCE, caution, energy, and union, wal
! be demanded. In order. that You may
fully comprehend the Importance of tht
approaching struggle, and the magnitude
of the consequences which must 70 Low
victory or. defeat a. this time. it Will bt
necessary to go back to the origin of the
two parties, to state the principles OF
which they divided, and trace briefly thei
respective policy ard course, iroui th'
beginning, to the present time.
/ Origin and Course Of Parties.
The origin Of the two parties may BE-
distinctly traced to the Convention which
formed the present Constitution. They
! were known in that body as the Nation
al and Federal parties. The former
were in favor Of a great National Repub
/ lie, in which the States were to be consI
dered as subordinate and dependent cor
| porations, bearing nearly the same rela
! lion to the General Government as coun
ties do to States. So far was tins concep
! ton carried, that its advocates made ths
most strenuous efforts to give the Gerer
al Government negative ON ali the laws