Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-07-14
Tho rre.en. ro,,o,ea, Condition o, the


The condition Of this country now, in political
view, is a painful contrast with what it was two
years ago. A Wing Administration had then ruled
the dcsnies Of the country for nearly four years
It into power surrounded by all the strife and
conflict Of sectional feeling in which the preceding
Democratic Administration had LEFT the country The
history OF that conflict is well known to readers.
During the term of Mr.. Fillmores Administration the
storm was alayed, and peace and quiet restored to
the country. But in the late Presidential contest
the slavery agitation was again renewed by our po-
litcal opponents. 1t was made the test question in
that election. The candidate Of the Wing party was
represented throughout the South as the embodiment
of Abolition and anti slavery sentiment while on the
other hand, it was represented that the salvation OF
the Republic depended upon the election of General
Franklin Pierce to the Presidency.
Well they succeeded in elcvatng this New Hamp-
shire patriot to the Presidential chair and what is
the condition Of the country now-eightecn months
only after he has assumed the rens of Govern
ment. Where is that peace and quiet-that fraernal
affection between the North and South-that full and
lasting restoration of harmonious eling-that respect
for the Constitution and obedience to the laws of the
Federal Government, which all to follow the
inevitable results of his election? We look in vain
for them. On the contrary we have n state Of
affairs existing than known to exist
in the whole previous history Of the country. We
have gotten back to all the dangerous clements OF
discord that brought upon the country by Mr..
Folks Administration and which are now attended
with far more dangerous consequences. Truly the
American people improved their political condition
amazingly, when the 4th of March, 1858, they
exchanged the Administration of Willard Fillmore for
that of Franklin Pierce.
How sadly have they been disappointed in the
hopes they had formed of lettering the condition of
the country. Not one single instance can they cite
but in which it appears that they have been worsed
The party by which Gen. Pierce was elected promised
the public, at least, if they did promise them
selves that sectional feeling should be allayeG-
that ianaticism should be put down-that the ConSi.
tuition and Laws should reign supreme and that from
the 4th OF March. 1868, an era of friendships and
brotherly love should be established extending from
one end of the Union to the other This new Adj.
ministraton was inaugurated under the most nuspi
cous circumstances to carry out those promises and
how did it see proper to undertake to fulfill the high
expectations that had been pledged for it? How lar
has it done so? No sooner was it installed in power
than Factionists, Free Sellers and Abotonists, at
-'o'NHt
lists at the South selected for filling the offices Of
The Government The more conservative men Of
Doth wings OF the party were repudiated.
The consequence is, that factionists have become
more arrogant in their demands for carrying then
purposes The AbOlitonists have grown fat upon
the Federal spos received at the hands of this Ads
ministraton, and are now able to carry the day in
elections at the North, where, before they pow
erless great anti-savery party is being formed ut
the North, which bids fair to sweep everything
before it. The South have been driven into position
OF sef-deence which threatens the ultimate necessity
OF their secession from the Union Disorder and con-
fusion exists where before harmony and good feeling
regned These are some of the fruits of the election
OF Franklin Pierce to the Presidency; and what it j.
20 end in every true patriot of the country must yev
with fearful apprehension.