Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-10-23
THE Retrospect

PhiJ I" ANN IiS NLd n " 'lfS''
must have a powerful influence upon the flu
ture glory or shame of this Republic. We
wish liberal, enlightened, unprejudiced minds,
to reflect upon the fact, that never, in the his
tory of Presidential candidates since the time
of WASHINGTON, who have been brought for
ward for the sutfrages of the people, has such
4 wide difference been seen with regard to em-
lnent services as is at present exhibited be-
tween the candidates who have received their
nominations from the two great parties of the
country. If Mr.. PIERCE is elevated to the Pre-
sidemy, it will be unequivocally made mani
fest that Party is the king which rules the peo-
pie, and before its arbitrary mandates must
hereafter be Frustrated all that is brilliant and
eminent Of talents and services, which are now
so ilIustrious'y displayed in the character of
WINFIELD SCoTT. It will prove something else
too not very palatable to Southern feelings
The strength of the VAN buren, party-the
Freesoil force which are now linked with Gen
PIERcE's destiny, and in direct opposition to
the peace and prosperity of the South. Are
the People, then, in this section, in opposition
to their W interests, in direct conjunction
with Freesoilism, and regardless of the present
fame and future rcnoWn Of our country, pre-
pared to establish the principle and the critic
rion, by voting for PIERCE, that Party dicta-
ton is alI-powertul--that it requires no great
talents, no eminent services, to become a Pre-
sident of tAzRF United States! Let such an
example be made, and farewell to the emuIa-
ton and the ambition which lead to great deeds
and give birth to resplendent talents. Let but
FRANKLIN PIERCE be elevated to the Chief Ma
gistracy)-who, in the language of Mr.. BENA-
MIN, lis a Statesman without a measure, an Or
a'or without a speech, a General without a bat
tIe'O--in preference to WINFIELD SCoTT, who
within a space Of forty years, has embIazoned
our history with the most eminent of civil SER
vices, and with chivaIric deeds which have made
orr arms appear invincible to the powers of
earth--let this be done, we repeat, and the dav
may come when we may look in vain for great
abilities in our Congressional halls or heroic
deeds on our battle fields Why should men
in a Republic struggle to be -preGminent in
arms or in civil attainments, if The PeopIe de-
clare that no such preGminence ~iustifes their
notice or regard? 1t is peculiarly the duty of
a Republic, if it regards its interests and fame.
TO reward to the utmost in its power, those
whose past services have contributed to its glo-
ry,i its power and its prosperity.
WINFIELD SCOTT may be defeated for the
Presidency; but present indications do not JUS
tity this conclusion. If he is beaten, mainly
TO Freesoil influence may that result be attri-
buted. We are all aware here in the South
that PIERCE is warmly supported by the Free
sellers of New York and Ohio. Their strength
may be greater than we suppose, and thus turn
the scale against US and defeat US by giving
these States to the Democratic nominee. But
we trust that no such apprehensions may be
and that the unholy coalition alluded
10 may prove Ineffective and abortive.
The restrospect which we take since the
nominations in June, leaves US the brightest
hopes for Il glorious result on the I'd of next
month. A transitory enthusiasm pervaded The
Union in the Democratic ranks, when it was
Known that an individual, having all the ele-
nents for Democratic success (obscurity) had
eceived the nomination of the Democratic Con-
'entlon. But as time progressed, the people.
n the Southern States in particular, began to
NOW more of his past career than his friends {
shed. In looking TO the records of Congress
hey could find no measure that he gave origin T
bill which he advocated, either as Rep
or Senator, which would reflect Gre
lit upon the most ordinary and unassuning
retensions--that what few speeches he made
we're marked by the narroWest and most unge- Il
erous of sentiments--that he opposed every Il
1easure of internal Improvement, now admit e
TO be the true policy Of the country--and Il
he took advantage of every occasion 10 "
rostitute his high position by encouraging the .
anatlc Abolitionists in the utterance of senti- -
tents denunciatory of Slavery, and in drawing ;,
pom his imagination for the c%oncomitant evils 3
'hich it gives heir to; and at length they find
nat after remaining in Congress a number of il
ears, he eventually left the portals of the cap h
oil as he entered them, without notice and VI
ithout sensation. Such is FRANKLIN PIERCE HI
his political capacity before the nation. But g
le people South found that Immediately upon W
3 nomination there were prominent men who tt
ere not only well acquainted with the man al
ut well acquainted with his principles. Who "
ere those men? Why, MARTIN VAN buren,
I'd his son JOHN, and other distinguished Free ~
This significant truth began to ava