Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1853-01-01

slavery agitation in every form, as his veto is as
certain as the thunder Of June upon any law
which repeas or weakens' the Fugitive Slave
Law.
But these are not all the fruits of the victory.
II elects the man whom your own Democratic
delegation nominated at Baltimore. They sought
in the bosom of the people for man like james
K Polk, who had not been presented by any pre-
vious political organization was not bound
by partialities, preferences or pledges-but who
was called from the retirement which he had
sought by the purity of his own principles, and
the harmony Of his public life. aa
Yet this is not ALL You have elected him upon
a platform which embraces all your own cherished
and precious principles. 1t repudiates all Ma
ury system. 1t reprobates all National Tariffs
1t disclaims all sweeping systems of Internal I'm
provement. 1t solemnly recognizes all the rights
Of the South and all the guarantees of the Const-
tuition. 1t adopts the strict contraction theory of
the immortal instrument, and for the first time
engrafts the Resolutions and Report of Virginia
upon the Republican platform. And is not this
a cause in which you should rejoice And is not
this the man whose advent to power shall be cele-
brated by triumphsl
And yet these are not all the advantages you
have gained. The principle which Jefferson and
Madison maintained---the grea. principles which
constitutes the Shibboleth of our faith-the strict
constructive principle, is now sanctioned as the
great basis of our party in the administration of
the government. left you States Rights Re-
publican eight years ago. have witnessed the
powerful machinery Of the Government during
those eight years; and whilst / venerate the
blessed Union which binds us together--whilst
every true patriot would shed his blood in the de-
fence of its true principles-yet | return among
you to bear witness to the truth of the doctrines
by, which it can only be maintained. ! am on
this day as firm believer in the Republican par
ty as was fifty years ago--I have witnessed the
operations of the General Government | have
beheld its extensive powers Those powers, even
within the bounds of the Constitution, will ex-
pand with the extent Of our territory and the di-
versity of our wants and population, and / do not
hesitate to aver that the powers of Uncle Sam
should be limited to the charter-enlarged only
with the consent of the parties to the compact
No doubtful powers should be permitted. may
say this, gentlemen, hope, without any vanity
or presumption. | am content TO pass the rest Of
my days in private retirement and in literary les-
ure; but may state to you, with all the frankness
which becomes a Republican, that every day Of
my life satisfies me more and more of the truth
of the principles which avowed among you
Were Iupon my death-bed | would tell you that
the strict construction States Rights doctrines Of
Virginia are the only principles on which the Fed
eral Government can be safely conducted. The
rights of the States are the cornerstone Of the
Union of the States.
You have a right then TO rejoice at the elec.
ton of man who appears to have adopted all
your Jefersonian principles, in all their purity and
in all their beauty. am no prophet but can
scarcely be mistaken whe' l predict that TIE
mission Of Franklin Pierce will be to crush the
slavery agitation; to bring back the Ship OF
State to the Republican tack, and to arrest abuses
and resist the encroachments Of the Federal Gov
ernment. His past life,his votes and speeches. the
whole course of his political measures, the whole
prestige Of his character, are the best guarantees
we can possess for the exhibition Of these spen
did achievements.
The election of his distinguished associate, W.
r. King, is hailed by the whole democratic press
with the loudest acclamations. The Republic does
not boast of a better or purer man. Clear in
his views decided in his measures, his irmness is
equal to his discretion, and his sound abilities
have been improved by his large and liberal expe-
rience. lie graces the chair Of the Senate, and
would nobly discharge the duties Of the first Of
fee in the Executive. But why should at
tempt to 4gild refined gold, or add perfume to
the violetr ~