Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-09-13
letter from Col. King
TUSCALOOSA, Ala, July, 26, I8

DEAR SIR Your letter reached Selma after /
had left for the mountains, and was forwarded by
the postmaster to this place. The divisions which
unfortunately exist in the democratic party, are
indeed, as you 50 forcibly represent deeply to be
deplored, and a serious question is presented can
the evil be remedied? For one, | must confess |
can see such indications, either North or South,
as would lead to the belief that the breach VIII be
speedily closed up; for so long large portion of
the former democracy OF the North lend them
selves to the advocacy of free soil doctrines, and
make common cause with the unprncipled and
the Infamous agitaors and abolitionsts no portion
ofthe Southern democracy will ever be found act
ing IN concert with them. All our troubles have
arisen from the extraordinary conduct of those pro
Tossing democrats, in whom the entire democracy
once reposed unbounded confidence, and felt de-
lighted to honor; but for their base abandonment
of principle abolitionsm would have stillbeen con-
fined TO portion the whig party, and a small
squad of ignorant fanatics. But for them the
South would have been saved from that unjust
legislation which has aroused a portion Of
her proud and excitable population seriously to
contemplate dissolution OF the Union. Now, sir,
much as | disapproye of any movement either in
the North or in the South, calculated to distroy
this great government the finest, and properly ad-
ministered the best the world ever saw, | ana free
to declare that | make many allowances for those
OF the South, who, smarting under sense of IN
justice and wrong inflicted them, would free
themselves from all communion with States or peo-
pie, Who regardless of their constitutional OtlIga-
tions, are warrng against their rights-rights the
preservation of which are essential 10 the personal
security of every Southerner, and which, mot re
spected, would make q union with those who-to
obtain political power, for any other cause,
would set them at nought--a curse, curtainl not q
blessing. How, then, can we OF the South unite
in council with those who have not only shown
themselves regardless of our safety, but, Judging
from the past, would unhesitatingly pave the way
fof1naking our section a second San Domingo
and cooy look on if they did not re joice to see,
the blood of our mothers, wives and sisters, mois-
ten their native soil, did it give such doubtful
boon as liberty, to such people as the blacks
/ | have ever been democrat OF the JeHerSonian
school, and am firmly impressed with the belief
that the permanency of our government depends
on its being adniniseredin strict accordance with
democratic principles; and yet | cannot consent to
owe the temporary ascendency OF the democratic
party to a union with the aboltionists. With the
good and true democrats of the North and North
west, | am ready to meet as brother meets broth
! er; to stand with them shoulder to shoulder, and
contend for victory, be our standard bearer whom
he may come from what quarter he may, only let
him be faithful to the guarantees of the constitu-
ton and the un-compromisin9 enemy of ali dsor-
I ganizers. But we musthaye nopretended friends
IN our camp, who, while they cry man brothers,
would stab us under the fifth rib. If the true de-
mocracy cannot bear alof5 the flag of victory, bet
ter let it trail in the dust than be upheld by tho
hands ofthose who, to subervetheir nefarious pur
poses, would as readily trampe it under foot a:
; waive it to the breeze. Ibeleve speak the sen
/, timents of nine tenths of the democracy Of this
State, when say have no sectional preferences
and stand fully prepared to give our support tC
the nominees of democratic convention, proper
ly constituted, whether they reside in the North
the South, the East or the West. Many of us
however entertain the opinion that, under existing
9 circumstances, itwould be true policy, and pro
ductive of the best interests of the party and th
country to have a Northern man designated fo
: the Presidency. Individually, although have
personal preference, | could give my cordial sup
port to any of the distinguished gentlemen yo
have named, either for the first or second office
, knowing, as do, their intelligence, integrity, an
Il devotion to this whole country. VIII not mex
winter be early enough to fix on the time for hold
ing the convention The place is of mino
II importance. [ do not think the people of th
n State have, yet, turned their attention to th
n matter. For the kindly terms in which you al
is pleased to speak ofme personally, accept M
thanks l hope to have the pleasure of seein
If You in Washngto Faithfully, your obdtserv'
WILLIAM r. KING,