Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1848-08-14
Be True to the Republic.

'" az ~ wv oai0iJ h"o hS'SA DSioiSs PSi
haps, been exhibited since the day we became a
free and Independent people. That this warfare
of principles in our republic will result in good, we
have not the least doubt. In fact the climax in otsl
political history, prophesied and feared by the pa
triot statesmen of the revolution, seems to have at
length arrived, when the talents and energies of all
good men are in requisltion, that the Constitution
bnilt by our fofefathers, rides safely through the
turbulent gale which is sweeping around it. We
may truly say, without derogaaon to those distin-
guished men who succeeded our first President,
that the purity Of the Executive and heads of gov,
eminent, since the administration of Washington,
has become gradually tainted, until at last corrup~
ton is SO widespread amongst our rulers, that the
people, hitherto comparatively passive, have risen
in their indignation, determined to defeat political
Jugglers and experimenters. and place at the head
of our government ii mar free from political ani-
mosltles, and what is worth more than every other
consideration, whose character so nearly assimllaes
in virtue with that of the Father of his Country.
Looked upon as we are with such an eye of in
terest by every portion of the civilized globe-as
the guiding star in the future destinies of nations
now beginning TO see the fruits of a free and self.
governed p~eople-we find ourselves truly the arbi-
ters Of their fate, and must feel that a mighty res
possibility rests upon us. that we keep inviolate the
sacredness of our institutions, and thus prove that
the people are able to govern themselves. 1t is for
us to say by our acts, whether the tyrannical laws
and customs of feudal times shall continue to pre-
vail in the old world, or give way before the march
of free thought and free government among mel.
Every one, Of the most ordinary requirements,
must believe thati has beer mainly through the ex-
ample of our model republic, that the bigoted and
to their senses, and having been shown what it is
in the power of man to accomplish, have aroused
their slumbering energies, and the banner of insur-
rection having been first unfurled amongst the most
bigoted and down-trodden, in the once proud land
of Cinclnnatus, has become COURAGEOUS. and from
Russia to sunny France. the flag and the
fire of rebellion is still streaming and booming,
in the face of fleeing princes and dethroned kings,
and amidsta flow Of blood such as the world never
before. y-
This great reaction having been mainly brought
about by the great example which the institutions of
otr country have exhibited, at the most critical pe-
rod of its history, at a time when the most promi-
nent principles are coming in contact with section
Interests, this is an additional reason for every
TO be particularly careful whom he now sup
ports for the chief magistracy Of the Union-to
,%riticise himself narrowly, and in giving his sui.
rage, as an honest man and a patriot, to inquire
himself if he is Influenced by personal or
prejudice and above all, to be guarded
hat party predictions or ties, wherever might
nave been his previous sympathies, have no weight
in directing his choice of the two most
prominent candidates at present before them for
he Presidency in l849. But in speaking of the pro-
ninent candidates before the people for the first
'ftice in their gift, we probably onght to enumerate
he free-soil advocate, the Northern man with
tack principles, the great champion of Democra-
", the sage of Undertook. 1t is true that much
in bis favor is prevailing in various
States of the Union, among those who have dropped
he regular Democratic nominee, and by them the
oarnburner nomination has been ratified, but it
Hill avail nothing more than acknowledging to the
country by those of his own party, that Lewis
.ass is weak and inefficient, if nothing worse, and
hat Martin Van Buren, is an envious and malicious
gainester, with the heart but not the nerve
o grasp at any offering to effect the ends of his
political vengeance and unholy ambition,
This last imperial parsonage was overlooked by
he Baltimore Convention, and another selected
who is the antipode Of him who received the vote
# the Convention at Philadelphia.
Of Gen. Cass, WE KNOW from his histories, that
lis whole life has been influenced by a love of gain
md public distinction; and that, cherishing these
nling passions, he has accomplished through chi
'anery the meanest, if his arts stop at that, and po-
iticaI treachery the most bare-faced, in. rising to
he dignity of becoming the nominee Of the Demo.
ratio party Of the Union, and in acquiring a for
une of vast amount. a7"2%s f&ls
How different is the character of Zachary Tay-
or. From his youth he has been the servant of his
:ountry-his history proves that he is free from sell
and ambition-that Aattery and success as
military chieftain have no influence over him and
mike the other, who has given every sort Of pledge
o support every sort of principle, he says he will
10 guided by the Constitution, and act for the hon
n and prosperity of the whole country. Lastly,
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