Democratic banner., 1850-03-11


ing handed to us by its author We promised al
the time TO publish il, and We redeemthe promise
by giving it a place this week, Git being crowd
ed out of our last paper for want Of roOm.)
With due respect for the writer Of the article,
we must be permitted to say his positions are
strange and ~untenable. It commences in the
spirit of a reply to jefferson" who had assert
ed in his communication, that he could see no
principle at issue between the democrats Of this
county. We do not volunteer to defend "Jef1er-
son" fer his pen, in any case, would be
more competent to that task, but so far as "Buf-
'falo" runs foul of our own views, we shall at
tempt TO set him right, once for all.
Now, we ask, what principle is at issue be-
tween the members of the democratic party in
this countyP Is it the ProvisoP The Anti
Benton men are opposed TO it, regarding il as a
scheme Of fanatics, unauthorized BY justice and
the spirit Of the constitution, and urged upon US
|by men who are the avowed enemies Of our gloTi-
Gus Union. If the Benton men are in favor OF
this accursed measure, that has produced so
much evil to our common country, by lashing to
madness the waves of political excitement, and
alternating the affections of our people. then truly
lis there a difference Of principle. The friends
of Col. Benton in st. Louis are bold enough to
leone out in favor Of the Proviso, and so to as
sert the views Of their leader. but such, we ap-
lprehend, is not the case in this county. They
proclaim opposition to Wilmot's darling, and
avow the sentiments of Benton 10 be the same.
The opposition Of Col. Benton still stand upon
the old platform of the party, in regard to the
right of instruction. They deem it as dear and
as sacred now as ever--a safeguard and protec-
ton to the people, against the arrogance of office,
the tricks Of ambition, and the pride CT power.
They occupy the same position that they .have
always held-the one in which Col. Benton stood
for thirty years of his political life. II it were
fright for the people to speak through their i'm
mediate representatives, and command recusant
Senators to obey their voice in expunginga stig'
ma upon the patriot Jackson from the journals
Iof the Senate, it is still right that a sovereign
State may speak, and her servants should obey
It is the same power yielded to by Dallas, by
Felix Grundy, and by John Tyler upon different
occasions--the same which, being denied by one
Of Virginia's brightest sons, blasted his name
forever. 1t is a right adhered to BY freemen for
their own security---a check to the tendencies
of pride and power towards aristocracy. 1t is
the will Of the people TO guide their servants
land not their masters. Our institutions teach us
to regard the people as sovereign, and their off.
GERS as agents to execute their will. II is the
voice of a majority curbing, restraining and rec
tifying the passions, prejudices and ambition Of
one men. It is the honest patriotism Of the
masses, directing the efforts of their agents to
1.-THE advancement Of their country's interest, in
stead Of their own selfish aims OIL. personal ag.
Iprandisement. It embodies a principle which
teaches men to be patriotic regardless Of sell,
and acknowledges the supremacy of the people
..-the chief boast of our free institutions. And
now, we ask, are the friends Of Benton prepared
to take ground against this sacred right, fol
which he and they and ourselves have ever con
IteudedP If the right is good at all, it is good
without qualification. When once the right il
qualified, and the servant is made the judge Of
the correctness and validity Of bis instructions
to obey or not, at his own caprice, its virtue j.
~repudiated and its efficiency destroyed. When
the immediate representatives of the people act,
the presumption is that the voice Of their con-
~stituents Is truly reflected. If this just and "a
tional presumption must yield to the malice, the
selfish motives or personal aspirations Of one Of
two men, the right is lost, and practice conflicts
with profession.
This doctrine cannot be denied by democrats
without 8 total departure from long established
principles, and an unqualified surrender Of
cherished item in the politicalcreed of the party
II there be any who deny this right, let the dec
~laration be boldly made, and the principle atissue
viii thsn develop itself. Until then, we can