Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-10
THE .ELEcTIoN-THE. COUNTRY.


pretty generally admitted and recent developments
have confirmed the belief, long prevalent among
many, that nothing but his providential removal
from office saved the country from fatal disaster.
The serpent tongue of Seward beguiled the hon
est old hero, and he became but puppet in the
hands of that willy demagogue, who profaned Hea-
ven with the unhallowed declaration that its laws
compelled him to against the laws of his coun-
try and against the sacred instrument which is the
bond of our Union and the palladium of our lib
critics. Seduced into the support of these measures
the President stood ready to sacrifice the Southern
portion of the republic, because it weak, to the
fanaticism of Northern men, because they were
strong. But the arm of Providence was interpos-
ed, and Gen. Taylor was taken from earth.
We all remember the struggle that followed, or
rather that continued after his DEATH The
country was agitated from centre to circumference.
The fiery spirits of every section aroused, and
the long forbidden word disunion :" became
household word and was passed from tongue to
tongue, from State to State, until it swelled into
mighty shout and the sound, once heard only with
horror grew familiar to mems ears and was rolled
as a sweet morsel under many tongues. The hot
blood of the South to fever heat and denounced
the Union: the fanatical Pharisees of the North
sought to free themselves from political connexion
with those guilty of what they deemed the mons
trous sin of slavery. Wrapped in the cloak of
they shrank from contact with
Shareholders and cried aloud for the dissolution of
the compact that united them. The spirit of dis
union was aroused and threatened to run riot over
the land.
Then it was that the patriots of the country
buckled on their armor to save the Republic. The
exertions ofClay and Webster cost them their lives
but the sacrifice was noble and willing one. They
were lost, but the country was saved-the only
that could reconcile us to their fate
the only object that would not have been too
dearly purchased at such price. The Compro-
mise measures were passed, and many thought they
were not what they ought to have been, but amid
the murmur of disaf1ection there was general
willingness to acquiesce in them, and the, storm
gradually died away.
Seward and his clan that they had been
foiled and set to work to accomplish their designs
in another way They procured the nomination
of Gen. Scott and well knowing that if their hydra
tain, they pretended to have nothing to do with
the question of slavery. That was not in view at
all, and Gen. Scott would answer no questions,
commit himself to nothing
On the other hand the Democrats nominated
Gen. Pierce, man whose sentiments were known,
and who had been tried in a fiery ordeal He |
was national man, without the susp icion of Sec
Hoh bod H. A. IL
contrary he had expressly declined it. But it |
sought him out among the granite hills of New |
Hampshire and forced itself upon him.
Here then were the two candidates presented to
the nation. Patriotism trembled between hope |
and fear as it watched the progress of the canvass
In the opinion of thousands, of whom we were
one, the perpetuity of Union depended upon
the result. That result would show to what extent
the spirit of disafection and the claims of party
would war against the safety of the Republic. 1t
was a struggle between sectionalism. aided by
party ties, and nationality invoking the assistance
Of patriotism. Hope was strong in the heart, but
mingled with many doubts and fears.
The struggle has now ended and the result is
Known. Doubts have been dispelled, fears Danish
hrobs with warmer hope, more steadfast con-
idence than at any former period of our national
existence Sectionalism has been trampled under
DOT, and the broad banner of the Union, and the
whole Union, now floats in triumph over the coun-
ry. With unanimity unparalleled since the
election of Washington, the people have rallied to
he support of Gen. Pierce the embodiment of
hose broad, national and conservative principles
N which alone our destnies are safe
For one do not now regret the storm that
ately agitated us. 1t was one of those political
empests, which, in the end, serve to show the
strength of our Union. The political atmosphere
mas been purified by it, and the noxious vapors of
sectional fanaticism have been consumed in the
whitening touch of the electric flame of patriotism
It shows that the hearts of people are true to
hose great principles for which fathers conten
led, and which they bequeathed as proud legacy
o u.s. their offspring. 1t confirms our belief in the
'apacity of our people for self-government, and
hows that the ties of party weaker than those
# patriotism.
1t is needless to speculate upon what would have
been the probable consequence of Gen. SCOTS cleo
ion. We rejoice that it is so, and content that
he necessity does not occur. We content to