Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-08-04

4
wings would put forward a gentleman who. assn.
ming himself to be inaepeadeai, would yet aban-
don his political faith, or al eas, 50 much Of il.
as to render him quite acceptable 90 party no.
toriousy willing TO abandon all principles 50 sue
cess might inure to it, Subsequent events have
I proved Twas not mistaken in NY estimate Of the
purity Of the whig party. Il has presented
gentleman who PROCESSES desire 10 abandon par.
I ~ Issues and adyocatinga union Of parties South,
I tor the preservation oflhe South. This position
in the canvass Of lSl7-s did more to weaken
and reduce our party power than all other causes
combined. believed that with THIS position in
1 the comm. canvass aided as il was bound 10 be
blythe Southern Address, they would prove irresis.
tible. To wrest iromthe hands Of the wings Ibis
iIercuean club, to furaish proof iReoatroreHi5'y
poSitire that they icere not, necer had been sin
cere tn their declarations for uaioa Of parties
unless aras 10 mare 10 their beaefi, seemed to be
duty deyolsing on some 10 discharge. | at
tempted to discharge it.
The district had or was being pulsed from the
centre TO all the extremes to ascertain whether
The AicClung and Taylor democrats would unite
with the wings again. twas necessary TO as.
certain also the most available, POPULAR and PHI.
ant instrument upon which this union was prop
| osed to be formed. Politicians the better TO
conceal their designs, travelled as temperance
| messengers ;-aspirants were refusing TO an
nounce themselves without reservations farmish.
lng conclusive proof that a system Ct intrigue
vas on foot in all Of the larger counties. which,
! 1t III 70 mature without exposure would result
II almost certain success. While these So
ctet moves were in progress, tao democratic
party IN open aud direct opposition iotbe coun>
sci ofthe Southern Address was preparing to
meet in convention and throw Forward payly
candidate. Then thought and nothing has since
occurred e change my oiiaion, that lhe adpicc
conlained nthat Address shonld haze been fol-
lowed Nothing was more clear than this: IL
tie democratic party faded to adopt that advice,
The IchigS poall, and instead q being an ftesist.
ible power in cur hands as il should have been,
it would became so in the hands Of our opponents
riihom an exposure Of heigede3ieaS IN ddraace.
Believing it impossible 10 ihNar The meeting
and action Of the then proposed convention, eud
knowing il to be too late 10 attempt clearly to
demonstrate to the people Of the district the for
midabe weapon the convention was blindly pa-
cling in the hands Of the wings, determined TO
take the only step in my Judgment II as effect
ual and adequate to interpose competent and
thorough counlerpoise TO avert the coming storm.
In taking This step too well knew that | would
invite and should incur the displcasure OF the
mendcans and vermne ofmy own party. Dis.
regarding his as ever have, and ever hope to do
when duty calls, did not hesitate in my course
then, nordo now.
Seeing that we were falling to avail ourselves
Of the advantages Of the prudent recommends.
tons contained in that Address, and that the
wings were preparing to adopt its suggestions and
turn the influence Of the great names attached 10
il 70 their benefit, seized the occasion Ia fur.
nish to the country proof positive they rouH not
unite although they had made il iheir lallying
cry for years past. AT the moment became
candidate about the only thing remaining to COM
peic the whig plan Of operations was the seec-
ton ola leader to take the direction ofhc cam
paign. No one could tel! with certainly at what
hour some gentleman would step into the field
and unurl the banner Of No Party, No Princi-7
pies, Union of the South for the preservation of
the South. Democratic members Of Congress
had recommended Union OF Parties, q disregard
for party ties and pary success, and suggested
the Importance, il not the necessity, Of ralying
around the question ofthe Rights Of the South,
making that the leading, paramount issue in the
coming canvass. Democratic meetings and
conventions throughout the entire South had
adopted and endorsed that address. ioresaw
that II the democratic party presented candi
dale as the mere representative oipafty, the wings
would assume and prove by that act that we had
exhibited greater respect for party ties and mere
party success, than for Union Of the South for
The preservation Of the South land that instead
ofmaking il the paramount question we were dis.
posed 10 present il as subordinate issue.-
They would at once assume that as we had mans
Tested no disposition 10 put i forward az para.
mount 10 all other issues We had BY that act es
topped ourselves from reaping whatever adran-
tages il might offer, ard they would claim that
they had presented candidate with direct refer
ence to that question, and that they were. there's
fore, the peculiar champions and defenders Of
the South and her Institutions. felt conscious
that they could not be induced 10 fuse unless the
democratic party yielded Internationally the right
as well as tho supremacy TO them. They would
claim the right TO direct as veil as sway the is.
sue in whatever direction they pleased, and Of
course, would claim every advantage as a ri.
uN4P*t " IteH Pdffy ~tt~ PpS"tNf PfHttPits4-~
Can any man fail TO see that contest fought ua.
der circumstances so INSTANTANEOUS must neces.
sarily result in defeat in this, as well as other
disiric.s in this State, My position as candi
date was altogether favorable 10 union Of par,
ties. offered myself as an independent candi'
date. had not consulted with or been brought
out by any set Of men. | was responsible to no
party for the enforcement ofany set principles,
and | pledged myselfto sustain the present ad
ministration in every measure which believed
The puhlIc policy Of the country demanded.
! stood alone upon the great question Of Union and
Opposition 10 further Northern usurnAgjhs upon
Southetn rghts--I held aloll the banner of con.
cession and harmony among ourselves, and invi.
ted junction parties in order to roll back up
on our opposers The tempest they designed to over.
whelm US with.
! The time seemed peculiarly propitious for