Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1853-07-06
THE STANDARD.
RALEIGH, SATURDAY. JULY 2, 1853.
TIE PARTY OF PRINCIPLE.

The Democratic party is emphatically party of
principle. This is shown in its whole course, from
its establishment by Jefferson to the present hour.
Now and then it has encountered reverses-Fcder
alsm, under false professions, has gained the as
ccndency only to go down under the weight of its
own blunders and misdeeds; but principle has
been seen all the while as the guiding light on the
Democratic banner, and the masses of the people
hive uniformly turned to this light for direction,
for hope, and for encouragement. What Democ-
racy WIS in the days of Jefferson, Jackson, and
Polk, it is now it is the same in its views of Con-
,tutiona power-in its foundations. laid in such
strong regard for the rights of man-in its devo-
lion to the greatest good to the greatest number
in its opposition to monopolies, class legislation,
and consolidation, and its fixed and firm reliance
on the good sense and sound Judgment of the peo-
ple Democracy never dstrusts the people. 1t
looks to them as the sovereigns Of the country
and its confidence in their capacity to manage their
own concerns in the best manner for themselves
aitt their posterty, is never either shaken i'm
paired.
But the Democratic party is not only party
Of principle-t has triumphed at the ballot-box,
and it now controls the government because of this
fact. All its doctrines, bottomed in principle,
have been approved by twenty-seven out of thirty
one States of the Union and this, not as the re-
suit of passion prejudice, or sudden impulse, but
after full discussion aud mature delibera,ion.
The Wing or Federal party, on the other hand
has been driven step by step to the abandonment
Of all its issues and doctrines principles it never
had-until it is left only with vague camol
about the public lands and this clamor, as we
have heretofore shown, is not only hollow and in
sincere, but springs from disposition OH the part
the leaders, who have always been more or less sub
seryent to Northern interests, to add to our tariff
taxes for the benefit of classes and monopolists
No party which, from whatever cause, abandon
principles, or principle known to be right, cal
long command the popular respect or confidence
This is demonstrated by the history Of the Whis
party The fact stands out, to be seen and un
derstood by all. That party, as it gave up it
doctrines, by one, lost public respect and wen
down in public confidence; and now, the announ
cement Of Wing issue or Wing principle, j
subject Of amusement or of wonder. Like th
mummies exhumed from the ruins of Ninevel
these issues will scarcely bear the unwrapping 0
the cerements-they crumble and fade before tn
touch
The Democratic party can exist only as it com
menced, by rigid devotion to its principles-t
all its principles, without reference to men or tn
promptings Of human interest or ambition. Wit
US these views are by no means unusual Or new
They are such as we have been urging in this jour
nal for the last ten years; and we intend to ad
here to them more firmly, if possible, than ever
In the language Of Levi Woodbury., " '0e go whe'
principles lead, and achen they cease to lead u
cease to folloa0.