Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-08-09
Democratic Us. Wing Sentiment.


It seems to be the desire of the opposition
in this Parish, during the present canvass, mor
rigidly perhaps than on former occasions, Il
draw distinct lines between Wing and Demo
cratic misunderstanding determined on thu
part of the latter to learn if possible, first, Wha
are the main political questions which the for
mer adhere to, and then to oppose these point
boldly and unreservedIy, as points or questions
that are decidedly antagonistical to the int
rests of the Parish, because of the source
from which they emanate-that nothing can b.
pure or lofty, beneficial or encouraging, if
originates with a whig candidate, a wing jour
nal, or a whig convention, and thereforetort
las a theory which some at least, have lait
DOWN it must be opposed by the Democrats
for being Wing sentiment it cannot be Demo
cratic sentiment; and not being Democrat
sentiment, it cannot be congenial to the wisbfs'
happiness, or add to the interests, of the SEQ
Pile of this Parish.
Now, whatever may be the errors intewhlch
party enthusiasm and excitement are cscu'ated
to lead us as well as Others, we do notacknoW-
ledge the error of decrying as bass lmpractl-
cable, superficial or wrong, erery reasure, or
principle, or act, which originals with our
friends the Democrats-or woub so far forget
o%urself, as for a moment to havfsuch a low es-
innate of human nature, or seh an idea ofthe
degradation Of mind, as to think that the ex-
ertion of our political foes im at the abolish
ment of every good or blessing, or in no ways
tending to benefit society moral, pecuniarily or
intellectually. We hav no such feelings: we
are not so STEPPED in bgotry and prejudice, as
to believe that any geat political division of
Americans-free fran abolitioniSm and seces-
sionism-have anyother leading views or aims
but those which tiey believe will advance our
interests socially and nationally. Whatever
may be the peculiar ideas of individuals upon
public natter, we hope none are so ignorant
and narrow-ninded as to conceive that an op-
posite opinnn results from a wrong or vicious
motive. therefore, when the people are told
that sueta and such a measure is a Wing mea-
sure, a.d of course must be wfong because it
did no originate with a Democratic mind, we
trust that they will calmly take the liberty Of
reftcting upon the matter themselves, unir
hyenced by party or personal considerations
whether it adds toihe strength of the first or
the interests of the latter-and be guided in
their efforts upon the judgment they have thus
calmly and deliberately formed, and not to
oppose it because it may happen to be a
Wing measure and therefore must be bad, as
has been advised in this Parish. The people
here, we feel assured, do not wish to be told in
tantamount that they are not capable
of forming correct opinions, and therefore MAST
be guided by the windy and frothy declam ations
and assumptions of aspiring men, whose actions
and whose words betray a deep and culpab!e
and egotism upon all occasions,
when, in the struggle for mastery and victory,
excitement overcomes prudence, and success,
lot of measures but party, becomes evidently
plain the ruling passion of the mind. Wheth-
" out of our ranks or in them, such conduct is
equally reprehensible, and we sincerely hopeit
will ever be condemned.