The daily union., 1852-08-17
The Attitude Of the Dsmooraey. o,,.

Tho Atiitade Of the Democracy.
The alnade oil the democratic party cannot fail 10
command the admiration even oil lie enemies and when
the patriot eonlsmplaies it, his faith in the durability of
our Institutions must be strengthened Il now presents
Franklin Pierce, OF New Hampshire as s chosen ex-
ponent. into whose hands TO place the executive
authority OF the government That selection was not
made by New hampshire nor by any northera State Il
indicated by the democracy OF vrginia--a State OF
the Souh--as willing tribute nationality, add free
offering 10 that lofty virtue itch had animated the north
ern democracy in times OF extreme trial
The democratic party has resembled agg lone
ration OF factions founded local interests and appealing
TO local preiudces and passions maintain themselves
Nor does Il countenance that school of political phloso
ply which relies the government sustain particular
interests TO the task oil directing the labor OF
the country and distributing its rewards by class legisla
ton The democratic party proceeds the fundamental
idea that government intended protect the people
from wrong and violence and regulate the intercourse
Of citizens with each other by general and equal laws
which leave each to work out his fortunes
ny, without the annoyance Of improper interference,
the injury which must surely result when government
undertakes prescribe his enpoymen,s, and regulate
ward These IDEAS springing directly from the doc
nes of equality popular sovereignty. and the
in which American governments formed have been
opposed by some founded unsound logic, and by
others as dangerous and impractcable. Some will not
admit the principle Of popular sovereignty, and others
have faith in the virtue and intelligence Of the people
These two classes naturally unite to enlarge the powers
of the government, and to bring those enlarged powers
to apply directly the business investments OF indivd
as and classes and to the particular interests Of localities
and sections
The democratic party asks nothing beyond equality, ex
cept protection from wrong and violence. These being
accorded, it has full faith that the people will do all
else that is needfu Such party in compact and hom
ogenous state would be worthy all respect; but when
we such party extending from the ST. Johns to the
Rio Grande, and from the Atlantic TO the Pacific il
cites admiration and enthusiasm. appeals to no local
passions it does not pander to sectional interests and,
consequently it does present the spectacle OF league
of factions held together by mercenary motives and
rupt bargains in which each is striving for the mastery
Had the democratic party been less sectional in its char
acer the States would before this time have been but as
counties departments OF consolidated empire with
all their domestic interests the mercy OF central
hority and the corrupt influences which would inevitably
control it, The northern portion OF the Union. being the
stronger, is naturally less sensitive 10 encroaehmens
by the federal government, and anxious that it
should act directly on labor or capital Greater honor
is. therefore, due the northern democracy; for from
the beginning it has waged a difficult and per-
ous war. But since slavery has been made SUBJ
ect Of party discussion, and since aboonsm has
entered influential element in northern politics, the
democracy OF the North has been subjected to
test as any party withstood. Fanaicism and fed
=.
ality in the North and 10 hunt down and destroy
all who faithful to the compromises Of the
stituon Southern wings, blinded by party feelings
and reckless of ultimate consequences applauded and
cbeered on the fierce crusade against the true men
in the North who breasted the storm of federalism
and abolionison, and by their courage and constancy
preserved party organization whose strong ligamens,
stretching the line of sectional division. bind
gehe the two sections of the country, and maintain the
Union of the States Had the northern democracy given
way 10 the tremendous pressure which was brought to
bear by the facous combinations and local interests
which federalism and abotionsm brought into the field,
the democratic party, Notwithstanding the nationality of
its creed, would have been confined to section, and
rendered unable 10 uphold the constitution prevent the
destruction OF the reserved rights OF the States. The
highest honor s therefore, due the northern democra
cy which has stood rm well for the important results
which il has aided to accomplish for the high pa
uotism which inspired its conduct, and enabled il
to withstand the powerful assaults which were made
upon it, 1t but right and proper that its ranks
should furnish the democratic candidate for the pres-
dency and the selection of Franklin Pierce vindcates the
reputation which Virginia has always enjoyed for clear
sagacy and patriotic purposes The lessons OF Jefferson
taught the democrats of Virginia to appreciate the char
acter OF Franklin Pierce. and the memory Of the services
ind sacrifices OF their fathers In the OF the Union
bound them TO him whom they had battling for those
principles and urging that devotion to the common bond
which alone preserve the Union confedeacy OF
friendly States. Franklin Pierce might have been
brought forwardby northern State; bat there was pc
cuar fitness in his presentation by southern State for
il illustrated that enlarged nationality which is the pride
and boast OF the democratic party, and which will up
hold while il exists, the institutions OF the country.
General Scotts Short Cut to Citizenship.
General Scoirs "Americus" bill. drawn in 1874, for
enactment by Congress- provided that after be period
no foreigner should be permitted to vote, except sable
bodied males" OF certain age, who should serve two
years in the army navy in time Of His letter OF
acceptance pledges him to the mode Of qualifying
foreigners for the rights OF suffrage and citizenship But
M oubere has he Indicated the rules and regulations