Democratic banner., 1850-02-25
THE TOWNSHIP MEETINGS.

THE TOWNSHIP MEETINGS.
Let it be remembered that these meetings will.
be held on the 23d of March. No Democrat
should be absent. 1t is a loss of but one day,
and that is at a season Of the year to interfere but
little with business. "Eternal vigilance is the.
price of liberty" and it behooves every Demo
crat to shake of his ~lethargy, and take an inter-
est in the success of the cause. Our common
enemy is buckling on his arnor for the contest.
Slowly and silently the Wings are preparing TO
present, as they conceive, in solid column an
irresistible front. Their only hope is to divide
a~ndoOnquer. They know the strength Of the
Democracy, and despair Of success in an open
field and a fair fight. They must resort to arti-
fee, or the day is lost. Many extravagant anti
eipations are made upon the division in our ranks,
and the vain hope is boastingIy entertained that
Democrats will desert the standard under which
they have SO long fought and Join in the ranks Of
an old and deadly enemy, to battle against their
former friends. They expect see them act the
part Of the simple man, who warmed into life
the poisonous serpent to sting his own family
Their motto Is to encourage dissension, to irri-
tate passion, to estrange feeling, to produce di-
visions, 10 stir up angry contentious, in order
that the triumph of Whiggery may be sung over
the defeat of those principles, for the prostration
Of which their energies have been bent since
thedays Of Hamilton and Adams. Let the Dem.
ecratic party rise as nj man, and bid them 'fay
not that faltering junction to their souls" Let
Us show our enemy that they are cleaning upon a
broken staff" and are indulging a hope that al.
lures but to delude. Our principles are now
the same as when they fired The bosoms Of the
party in the great conflict between Jefferson and
Adams, upon the result Of which depended the
ultimate success of our free institutions. The
alienand sedition laws were then exercising their
bateful influence over the liberties of the people,
and executive authority is now carried to a dan.
gerOus extent, in the unjustifable prescription Of
good men for mere opinions sake. Repeated
pledges are disregarded, justice is trampled up-
der foot, and the freedom of speech and action is
rebuked. "Hones:y, capacity, and fidelity" have
seAied to exert an influence over executive and
cabinet ambition. The bold AMI fearless, though
honest in official station, are now ostracised to
give place to bringing SyoOphants and political
friends. "Ths suppliant hinges of the knee"
mast be bent to power, in order that athrift may
follow Awning"
These things are suggested for the mature con.
alteration of every member Of the Democratic
party, that no selfish feeling may operate to
weaken his attachment for the great principles
which be at the foundation of our Republican in
stitutions, and give them all The strength and
charm that they possess. ,Tfis the peculiar boast
Of our party that priseipk has ever been the polar
star Of it, political action. It was for measures
that jefferson, Jackson, Polk and Cass contend.
ID; and every Democrat can see the beneficial
effect Sf these measures, in the prosperity Of our
common country and the happiness Of its citi-
sens. Shall we now abandon our zeal and waste
cur energies? Is there any cause for such a
dersfctipn from our ddty7 Or can we expect
70 have even one fayorite IDEA advanced BY the
suscesi Of ssr. political oppohsntsf viii they
not, when snce in power, deceive hope so vain2
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