Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1853-07-27
TIE ISSUE.

THE ISSUE.
Brother Democrats of the Fourth District, the
issue to be decided on the 4th day of August is
this: Whether A. W. Venable, man, is to tri-
umph over your principles, and to return to Con-
ress at the expense of organization and of plat
forms J There it is in plain words, and no one can
truly put it in any other shape.
Parties are formed on principles, and they de-
vote themselves to carrying out such measures as
are IN consonance with their principles But prin-
cpls cannot be carried out without the agency of
men, and they are, therefore, used by the people |
for this purpose. They are called into service, not |
wholly because they happen to have enthusiastic
hends-not wholly because they possess personal
merit or superior intellect but because they are at
tached to principles and can be relied upon to ad-
here to these principles and maintain them under
all circumstances. Is not this so! Is there De-
mocrat who will Say that his first choice shall be
the first choice of every other Democrat, without
reference to principle? Is there who will cling
| to a man after that man has turned his back on
his principles? Is there one who will contend that
public man whom he admits to be unsound Aow,
ought to be sustained because he was once sound
No. fellow citizens, such logic this will not do.
Principles first, measures next, men last. Is not
this so! Was it ever disputed in this District un-
til Mr.. Venable raised the front Of disorganzation
and defiance ?-until he voted for that federal bill
Of Benefits, and took ground against the party
in relation to the acquisition of territory, and
planted himself against Cuba, and lauded Fill
more for his course concerning the brave men
who were shot down like dogs and without trial
by the minons Of a detested despotism! Look
at these things, we conjure you, and reflect.
Follow not the dictates Of your prejudices or your
passions. We have served you for years, and we
are your friend, because We dare to tell you the
truth. We can have nointerest in this matter fur
ther than to advance and maintain principle, and
to guard against dissension and bitterness in the
campaign of 1854. On the contrary, if we had
consulted our pecuniary interests, we should have
thought more of policy than Of principle, and
should have gone for Mr.. Venable. Our course is,
then, disinterested one, and it is the result of
calm reflection and of deliberate judgment. We
have not counted the costs, " because we are de-
termined to adhere to principle, happen what or
fall who may. We tell you that the issue is be-
tween man and your principles-that that man,
if We not greatly mistaken, will neither apollo
gze for his conduct, nor retrace his steps, but
will defy and fight you to the last. We know
him. We have taken his measure, and sounded
the depths of his vanity, his ambition, and his
selishness. Elect him, and you will but arm him
for larger and more lasting mischief Elect him
and you will send member to Washington who
will vote for bills to divide the public lands, and
thus provoke your own cherished President, Frame
PIERCE, to the exercise Of the veto power. Elec
him, and two years hence, in all probability, yor
will be precipitated into still deeper strife and dis
organization. Elect him, and next summer yor
will be called upon to contend against his example
and his influence on the questions of Cuba and o
distribution! Elect him, and you invite division
and contention, and wide disagreement in our mex
contest for Governor and the Legislature. Elec
him, and you thereby put under the ban, SO far a
You can do it, such men as Craige, Ashe, Boyd
Shaw, and Rufin and not only this, bu
you will condemn every Democratic press il
the State and cast aside your platforms bot
State and national! Elect him, and you tur
your backs on General Jackson's sentiment
and opinions as announced in his land bill veto c
1888! Can you do this9 VIII you do 1t
What says Orange! Are such men as Allison
and Jones, and Pratt, and Durham, and Lyon an
McDade, and Bailey, and Kirkland, and othe
who might be named, ready for results like these
we know they are not What says Warren
Her response is that she is the land Of Macon an
that principle Republican principle has eve
been her polar star We appeal, then, to her sp
nted and efficient organ, the e w warrenton Newsr-
tosuch men as Thornton, and Baskerville. and b
wards, and Williams, and Drake, and to the Hav
klnses and the Alstons pillars as they are Of Il
eause-to rouse themselves to sense Of the da,
ger that impends, and to take the field, not for
man. but for their imperiIled principles. VIII
says Nash-Nash, whose Democracy has alwa,
been true--Nash, the " banner County. y in Il
'"o last contests, and whose light is on high an