Democratic banner., 1850-03-04
THE BENTON

Itlat tMs Slmpie OugDeaf, Is 10 DC USED by Somi
men for the sinister purpose Of dividing and de
lfeating the party. Viewing The subject in thu
light in which we have always done, free from
any unnecessary excitement, we can but regart
it as one of easy solution; and when we see
men, claiming 10 be democrats, casting aside
everything else. and making this the paramount
Question of all, we are disposed to regard the
course with establishment, and sometimes with
suspicion.
Diversity Of sentiment, upon political ques-
tions, gives strength and vigor to our institutions;
but u servile pandering to great names, and a
close adherence to men through all the meander.
ings Of error, only tend to produce mischief Of
the most serious character.
The party in this State was in the most har-
m~onious condition at the last election. There
seemed to be a unity of thought, feeling, and ac-
|tion. 4 concurrence Of sentiment in relation to
all the great questions of the day. seemed to ami
mate and encourage them to duty. A brilliant
war had just been terminated, TO the honor Of
the country, and also to that Of the patriotic ad-
ministration, whose wise and polite measures
had triumphed to secure the end so desirable,
against the schemes and Vaccinations OF those
who cherish strife and factious designs, at the
expense Of their country's welfare.
The Wilmot Proviso was one of the leading
measures in the hands of ambitious demsgogues,
to cripple the efforts of good men to advance the
Of the nation. Wrong in its principle,
and oppressive in its nature, il was urged by IA
natics with a zeal commensurate with their un-I
hallowed purposes. Affecting 10 consult the bet
ter feelings of the human heart, for the arrest Of
evil, they INDUCED their bitter animosities against
the measures of the party in power, and attempt
ed, i'll their wild career Of yindic,iye wrong, TO
violate the bond Of union and disturb the peace
Of the confcderacy.
The democratic party seeing and deprecating
such a course, seemed to act as one man in its
condemnation. They rallied to the support of
old principles, for the preser vation Of our
institutions in their pristine purity. Not only in
this State, but in others whose rights were in
mass meetings and conventions never
to give expressions of sentiment against
this u~surpation Of power by Congress, and 70
denOunce it in the most unsparing language.-
Their language, as the language of freemen should
be, was bold and fearlessly declarative Of their
rights. It was not the momentary ebullition Of
feeling, but the calm convictions Of sober patri-
otism. The unbiased judgment Of every man
then told him that it was no treason 10 speak Of
his rights.
With feelings ofthis character, the democratic
party Of this State passed through the last can
vass with unexampled harmony and unanimity.
The Legislature partaking Ofthe feelings of their
constituents upon this subject, and implicitly
pledged to them 10 second their noble efforts TO
stay the hand of needless aggression, passed
resolutions Of instruction to our members in the
Federal Congress, to exert themselves against
the passage of the Proviso-and if not success
full, at least to secure, if possible, a compromise
of che question for the peace of the country.
The right Of instruction lad long been q car
dinal feature of our doctrine--the exercise Of
the power undisputed since the days Of Madison
and Jefferson, and. the necessity Of it not only
admitted, but advocated by almost every demo-
Graf as a safeguard against the arrogance and in
science of office. 1t is contended that the high
est aim Of a public officer should be to reflect tho
will of his constituents, and be who knowing it.,
disobeys, is no longer worthy Of their
support.
Legislative bodies have exercised the power
since the formation of the Government, audit has
never been questioned, save by those whose
sympatbies run with aristOcracy, and whose anti
republican feelings incline them to doubt the ca
pacity Of the people to govern themselves.
Upon the passage Of the resolutions in ques-
ton, they were published, favorably commented
upon, and approved by the democratic papers of
the State without exception. Some Of the wing
papers approved, and others published without
No note of dissent or disapprobatiOn
could be heard. Every man read and approved,
The conductors Of the newspaper press, who
can now discover 'qreason and dSunion," saw
then but the essence of patriotism, in-
their repeated sanctions and shouted loud