The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-08-11
The Democracy of the Union.

We are free to say, that In our opinion the
supremacy of the democratic party is in jeopardy.
1t has nothing TO fear from the strength OF lis
enemies. The elements of its weakness, if they
exist at all, are to be found within its ranks.
The present we conceive tC be an suspicious time
TO suggest the means by which its integrity may
be preserved, and the great ends of its organiza.
ton be finally accomplished. Congress adjourns
TO day, and Tomorrow the representative returns
TO his constituents. Let those Of them who have
steadlastIy adhered to that construction OF the
Constitution which jefferson and Madison and
Calhoun taught, rest assured that from every
iightened constituency they will receive their re-
ward. Let those, who unmlndiul of the rights OF
the State and forgetful of the fact that they are
the constitutiohay appointed guardians of those
rights, have consented, for personal or local ad-
vantage, to lose sight of the old republican land
marks, pause and ponder. Let the national de-
! mocracy, east and west, north and south, remem-
! Der that without that strict construction of the
Federal Constitution, for which they have here
tofore contended, the Constitution itself is
| than worthless.
| From its birthday TO the present time, the
democratic party has claimed TO be, and always
has been, the State rights party of the country.
| In 1898 they opposed the Alien and SeditIon laws
| in 1920 they manfulIy fought against the worse
| than Infamous principle contained in the misnamed
| Missouri compromise, in $50 they were found
fighting the side Of the constitutional rights OF
! the States and, in 1854 the GROWING glory oil
the State rights party shone out in their manul
repeal Of ,the Missouri compromise. Upon this
great question the State rights men from all Sec
tons were found side by side. Senators and
representatives from the northern States, the true,
the tried The trusted, We'd with the men of the
south in giving brilliant exemplifca!on of their
true devotion to the common brotherhood, The
State rights men knew no latitude no Longitude,
no section. All sections and all States received
alike a common benefit, resulting from he passage
| section is to deny them to all, to extend them to
one is TO extend them to all.
We tell the republican party, through their
reprcse natives, that the great battle which was
| fought on the floor Of the Senate chamber, has 10
be fought again before the people. The State
rights constitutional democrats of the north, with
the united people of the south, can and must ward
off the dangers which threaten this UnIon 1t
can only be done by an unbending ard consistent
devotion 10 those great principles Of constitutional
quality which secured to Kansas and Nebraska
territorial governments. Il only be done by
throwing before the body Of The democracy the
broad bright shield OF Constitution, with powers
strictly defined and limited The rights of the
States, and the preservation Of the Union cannot
| be brought out by /, wild and latitudinous con.
structon OF the Federal Constitution. We call
upon the old line democratic republican party TO
stand firmly by their old-fashioned republican
principles in the contests hat await them. Let
them do so, and abolition lanaticism may howl in
impotent fury around the stemple and Fortress
which they defend.- VaShinot0n Sentinel.