The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-22
Democracy and ..southern Rights. /,

The Union and its CO. la borers in the work of
Democratic reorganization must begin to feel
that they have an uphill task to perform in
catching and retaining those of their head
strong brethren who have of late devoted them
selves to the propagation of peculiar tenets on
the question of southern rights. They have
run riot too long to bear meekly scoding or
chastisement and yet, without one or both,
they cannot be brought to submit to the rigid
rules and restraints which thorough party dis
cipline imposes
We have applied ourselves somewhat in
dustriously, during the last few weeks, to
perusal of our Southern Democratic exchanges,
with view to keeping posted up in reference
to the progress of this matter; and have on two
or three occasions laid before the reader mate
rial for Judging of the progress of the under
taking. In our humble judgment its prospects
are far from inspiriting. In some quarters the
affectionate appeals of the Union are responded
to with fraternal tenderness, but, as general
rule, they are received with ominous silence,
and now and then with expressions of actual
defiance. Notwithstanding all that is said
| fact is that, in the South at least, the Demo
| cratic party never displayed more discordant
elements, and never possessed less likelihood
| Of practical bona .tide union.
The Montgomery (Ala.) State Register af-
fords fair sample of the greeting which our
neighbours tender entreates receive in that
quarter The Register remarks
L A haf, do NJ he lo
having decided to abide by the compromise-to
the reorganization of the Democratic party, if it
i can be reorganized in such manner to prevent
1 its future distraction and division otherwise its
1 reorganization would resemble too much the dem
Il agoguism and spoils-seeking which has long
4 disgraced and degraded this country Let us have
the Democratic creed xplcitly stated, and let the
abstract right of secession, which is emineny Dem
ocratc and essential to the safety and we'll being OF
the South form ofits articles of faith, it
does with the Southern Rights party-which is
composed Of the majority of the Democratic party
Of the South and we say amen to the reunion
What does the Union say in reply to this
| proposal? Is it prepared to purchase the sup
port Of the Register and the whole brood Of fire
eaters by conceding the Fright of secession -
consoling itself with the thought that the
concession. like Judge CAsKIE's, is merely
misunderstanding more ? Will it receive
again into its orthodox fold journals that claim
the right to come in only upon their own terms,
and those terms at variance with principle
which patriotic men of all parties have chung
TO as essential to our national greatness II
the Union acts on the affirmative in reference
to these queries, what becomes ofits professions
of attachment TO the Constitution as it stands
On the other hand, if it reject the stipulated
conditions Of the Register and similar presses
what meaning is TO be attached TO all its highly
colored descriptions Of Reorganization" ere
union" and we know not what beside2 VIII
il be admitted, after all, that they were mere
creations of the Union's exuberant imagination
having no foundation in fact2
i A brief period will probably remove the
mysterious uncertainty that now overhangs thin
very interesting matter,