Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-02-11
ftrE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.


acknowledge that, so far as the Northern
wings of these parties are concerned, there
appears to be no great difference in the del
icacy and purity manifested by SOME of the
leading politicians on both sides, we feel
disposed to offer few reasons for long
entertained opinion, that if ever this repub-
lie shall be precipitated into civil strife from
this cause, the responsibility, in the sight
of all civilized nations, will rest most heav-
lily upon the so-called Democratic Party
This is indeed matter of inference only
but inference, we contend, drawn with all
logical fairness from the distinguishing fea-
lures of the two great PARTIES and from the
different degrees OF earneStness with which
they have propagated certain principles.
1t is everywhere well understood that the
Democratic Party claims to recognize most
clearly and to cherish most deyotedly the
natural rights of man. They have insisted
from the days of Gen. JACKSON, with tone
of unparalleled assurance, THAI they alone
were the true friends of the people, and the
only sincere advocates ofthat equality which
they have been in the habit of attributing
81 to all the members Of the human fdmily.-
Whenever a movement was to be made for
the extension of political privileges, they
have always endeayored to make it hobby
of their own. Whenever measure was to
be proposed which would be calculated to
please the laboring classes of the commune
ty, they have sought to make it appear that
it originated with them. They have omit
ted no means to prove that they were the
poor mans friends par excellence, and that
their opponents were little better than mo-
nopolists and aristocrats in disguise. And
the same game continues now to be played.
They are still conIending that their party
has the best claim to foreign votes because
they are most heartily disposed to aid the
revolutionary movements ofother countries.
They profess to be more Jealous for Hun
gary and KossUTH, more ardent tor Irish
and Italian and German liberty, and more
favorable to French socialism and red re-
publican institutions. Now if we admit their
claims in these respects to be well founded,
does il not follow that in all probability they
will finally carry out their distractions into
practice, rather than abandon them, when
ever the abolitiopists shall attain sufficient
influence to bring them to positive deci-
sion. When the thousands of free negroes
at the North shall rise as one man, and de-
mand from the Democratic Party there, a
recognition of the alleged natural rights OF
the Southern slave, how will that Party be
able to say before the world, that those rights
have no existence, and that equality after
The Wings may easily plant themselves
upon the precedents of our past history, and
the examples of the fathers of the Constitu-
ton. But how could Progressive Democ-
racy, which goes constantly for further and
further developments Of the rights of man,
and constantly processes to be the spe-
cial friends of the laboring classes-how
can they refuse to lend an ear to Dem
ocratic negroes when they hold their Con-
ventions, draw up their resolutions, and pub
hsh their professions of Democratic faith to
the world' Such Convention is even
now about to be held in New York, for the
purpose of agitating the question of the ex-
tension of the right of suffrage among the
coiored population of that State. There
happens to be an odious restriction in the
Constitution upon their exc rcise of this
right and they clam to be placed upon
footing of political equality with their
white fellow-citizens. Which of the two
parties can most consistently with its his
torical character, resist these claims, and
repel these attempts to pass the barriers OF
society? Let Democratic consciences an
sweri Il
We know very well that many Wings at
the North are cndeayoring with zeal e.
qualled only by Democratic examples to
create the impression that Whiggery is most
favorable to negro elevation. This is moth
ing more nor less than party trickery and
corruption. 1t is not the practical applica-
ton of Wing principles, but policy en-
tirely destitute of all principle, and aiming
solely at success in the local struggles for
supremacy aud power. With this we have
nothing to do. We refer TO the great Amer
lean Chess-board, the Confederacy of States,
when we say that the last move of the Deio-
ocratic Party will be an abandonment of the
South for being too conservative, and a
hearty coalition with the free-soil party of
the North for the prosecution of kindred
aims by kindred means. We are neither |
A prophet nor the son of prophet, but fear
not to predict that :hat Party will in few
wears, either adopt this desperate course
or cease to exist.
o. The annual meeting of the State Ag-
ricultural Society VIII be held in Richmond,
on Thursday, the 10Th instant. The 'r-
GINA Central Railroad will charge farmers
DESTROYS Of attending the Convention. five
cents per mile from the point Of getting on
the cars to Richmond. with the privilege OF
returning free. Numbers of Our Augusta
4 I. .~I