Democratic banner., 1850-02-25
For the Banner.

Messrs. Editors: As an humble voter in
the ranks of the Democracy, / beg leave to
make a few plain suggestions to my fellow
Democrats through the columns of the Ban.
|ner, the organ of the party in this county.
We have approached an important era ia
the history Of the party in Missouri. Much
depends upon the developments Of the sp.
preaching campaign. An illustrious leader
in the State has come into open wal with
many distinguished members Of the parry,
and we present an apparently broken front
to our old and argus-cyed enemy, the wings,
whose highest aim, judging BY their presses
and public men, is to "divide and conquer"
1t remains then to be seen whether the
Democracy Of Missouri will be true to them.-
selves and their principles in the coming
ordeal. And what is this temporary diyis.
ion in the party about' Is there any prin.
.ciple or measure ct issue? None at ALL
Then where is the difference? "Benton or
no Benton" Is the rock upon which our pe-
.ftical opponents wish to see US split. A
sober word for the consideration of all good
DemOcrats:-Hare ,re, as a patriotic and
national party, no higher ends to onsaOer
than a mere ckanaor for men,? Shades Of
departed sires forbid the idea. When il 10
so acknowledgement and by our actions know
ye that We are also judged-the good and
the virtuous Of all classes will seek new ale
liancss to promote their country's good.
AS | have said, there is no principle a
issue between the two wings Of the party
in Missouri. But there are cardinal prin.
ciples of the party that I would bring to
your memory-for which, as patriots, We
should make a common cause. The same
that were proclaimed BY our party in Ma
tional Conventions assembled at B~sltimsre,
and battlsd for, time and again, by the yee.
manry Of the land, from the ST. Johns to
the Sabine. The same 10 substance that
were briefly embodied in resolutions and
passed BY the meeting in Bowling Green on
the 9TH inst, and published in the last Ban.
ner. The doctrine Of the Democracy Of
Missouri is the same upon all subjects, in.
Guiding the all-absorbing question Of sLA.
VERY. The supporters and opponents Of
Col. Benton are all for non.inte.Jerenee By
Congress with the subject of slavery, end
differ only as tohis position upon thstquss-o
ton. OF the merits Of this difference, it5
10 not my purpose now to speak, further
than to putthe question calmly to every DEM
ocrat Of principle VII you rally for the
principles and consequent success Of your
parry, or sink all in q fruiEess contention
about the opinions efmen? We professto
be . party Of principles, governed BY ma
~iorities, as it respects a preference for men.
Then let US, like intelligent freeneu, stand
side BY side. with the glorious old motto
Everything for the cause, nothing for men,,
to cheer US on to the work. This done, let
q majority vote determine the strength Of
Benton. And the better to determine this,
let parallel columns be opened ct the cleo.
ton. headed 'Benton' and "No Benton"
with the understanding hat the vote thas
taken, shall be instructions to the members
elected, T,
This, it appears to me, Messrs. Editois,
is all that any Democrat can ask, and is the
hspPiest mode Of disposing of that great
bugbesr Of "Benton or no Benton" If We
are wise we will see the hope of our poEti-
cal opponents dashed upon the same rock
prepared in their minds for the wreck Of our
bark. JEFFERSON.
Capt. Mclean, U. s. mad agent for the