Democratic banner., 1850-06-17
PRAIRIEvILLE, Pike county. NO., }
June 18th, 1860.

Juuc A<tni AcOOs
ITo Messrs. John C. Welborn, Adam Mase, r.
H. Johnston, CT. Smith, A. J. Pickens, E. G,
Murray, N. P. Minor, and others.
GENTLEMEN: / nave received your letter, in.
forming me that DR.. Buckner has declined The
nomination conferred on him by the meeting OF
the Democratic party, which assembled at Bow
ling Green on the Sd instant. In it, you are
pleased TO refer to the fact, that at that meeting,
the nomination to q seat in the next General As
sembly was first rendered TO me: and you also
add The expression of an earnest desire on the
part Of the Democratic party, that l should be
one Of its candidates at the approaching August
election, as an additional reason, enforced by 9TH
er considerations, alluded 10 in your f~lattering
letter, why should waive any objections, which
l may still entertain, and yield 10 the call which
you make. Those objections still exist in full
force, and under ordinary circumstances, would
continue insuperable. Your earnest, ard re-
peated solicitations, the condition Of public al
fairs, and the situation Of our party, have how.
ever, constrained me to yield them, and shape
my course in accordance with your wishes.
The present is All important crisis in the his
tory ofthe Democratic Republican party through
out the Union. In our own State, this crisis is
invested with an interest peculiar and prominent.
It is not to be disguised, that the course and con-
duct of q distinguished leader, long trusted BY
the State, has placed in jeopardy, the ascendency
of our party. In this crisis Of its fortunes, il
becomes our first duty to take for our guide, the
ancient and well established landmarks of our
patty. No master bow far a trusted leader may
have waded into the shades OF a disastrous eclipse,
the pathway Of duty for the Democratic party
lies in the open sunlight. New tests of faith
have been announced, as requisite for the party.
The ''veiled Moksnna" of FreesoiI agitation, has
unfurled in our midst, a new flag, inscribed with
new tests. They are the death's-head, and cross
bones Of repudiation, of '~'disunion'' and "trea.
son." These are inscribed on lis black folds, in
order 10 brighten freemen from their propriety,
and that he may the more easily mask his treach-
cry, and conceal his desertion. Whilsthe is en-
gagged in thus dishonoring those who have trust
ed him so long, his accredited organ in our State
is laboring in the congenial Office Of defamation.
Its columns TEEN with abuse of the citizens Of
the Commonwealth, and large portion of her
population are denounced by it, in no measured
tones, as "trafickers in human flesh and blood"
Whilst the patriotic, the wise, and the good, in
almost every section of the Union, are looki,g
with anxious hope to the Senate Of the linked
States for the passage of the bill Of compromise,
and pacifcation, now before that body, tais or
gan Of the Missouri Senator denounoes II as
"unrighteOus-unwise-and impracticass."-
The responses Of this oracle doubtless effect the
views Of the high priest at its alta. Icannot
for one moment believe, that any 'ortion Of Che
Democratic party of Pike can befeHnd ready to
sanction the u~tte.ance of sucb< entiments, much
Iless to applaud them to the eho.
lam well convinced t@t the great mass Of
our party are still wei satisfied with the old and