Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-13
CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRACY.

CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRACY.
We have long seen cause to regard it as fortunate
for the peace-we mightadd the honor-of the coun-
try that the Conservative instincts of the South
act as counterpoise to its Democratic tendencies.
Fillibustering- and " universal-emancpation
Intervention" schemes have been invariably frowned
upon by the enlightened Democratic press Of the
South and by the communities of the South, with
the exception of large element in New Orleans
and the thoughtless ovation to Lopez in Savannah.
The suboined article from the Charleston Mercury,
paper thoroughly Democratic in its party charac-
ter, furnishes sample of the conservative regard
for public law and national honor to which we have
been referring
FROM THE CHARLESTON MERCURY.
Mr. SLDELL's RESOLUTION resolution introduced
by Mr. SLIDELL Senator from Louisiana, authorizing
the President to suspend the neutrality laws certainly
merits the attention it has received and in judg
men calls for stern rebuke from those who cannot CON-
pacently the Government committed to such
The circumstances and disastrous results Of the Lopez
expedition distinct in the minds Of ALL and their
graves yet fresh, who, in defiance of law and under
the nfatuaton Of falsehoods wasted their lives in that
miserable expedition 1t disgrace to the country
the citln,s of Republic and, in the Judgment of sober
men, called l." the active endorsement Of routrstv
laws To have sanctioned such enterprise to com
NIT the sentiment OF TN whole country in favor OF pro-
ject which, however worthy IN some of lis aspects
blackeHed by the spirit and passions of robbery
But the failure of the Lopez expedition only sharpened
the appetites Of fbusterism and made it rational
in its plans resolute in its temper And how stands
the now? Is it not fact well known that in some
of the cities Of the Union there exist but powerful
organizations eagerly watching for the first opportunity
yrh,o 10 do fhasrn
also well known that the existence of our neutrality
laws their enforcement during the Lopez expedition and
the dread Of this alone keeps these adventures with
in bounds and the country from the violation Of
treaties and from war? But again Fillibustersm, while
darkly vicubatng Atlantic coast has recently in
vaded with FIRE and sword the province of sister Repub
lie, with whom questions of sensitive nature are
pending the peaceable settlement of which has been
embarrassed and endangered by these outrages 1t is at
such tme and with all these facts in broad light before
that proposition is ntroducedn the Senate author
ize the President to suspend the neutrality laws and
thereby to let loose upon and land pirates and ma
rauders.
Mr.. Sliiell very cooly says 81 desire no movement
the part Of citizens until the Cubans shall have
put their shoulders to the wheel" But who sup
poses that the Lone Star Association the New York
Cuban Junta will pay any attention to the sensibities
OF Mr. Side? They viii, Of course, thank him for the
IMMUNITY which he proposes to give to their awlessness
and to the rest will consult their desires and OBJ
jects Suspend the laws which etter their hands and
punish their acts and they will laugh to scorn all
gestons to moderation forbearance; suspend them
and the Government of the United States becomes
| their accomplice.
All that the honorable Senator says of the determine
ton and plans to Africanze Cuba may be enough
We do not question his proofs doubt his conclusions
Indeed what about to say based upon the sup
position that he is right this point Admit that there
is such scheme afoat nay actually in operation that
it is intended as blow at the interests of this country
and that therefore demands prompt and determined
sstance on our part is Mr. sidelps the proper mode
Does it become great Republic to entrust the guardian
ship OF its rights and interests to reckless adventurers
Shall she them the instruments of her progress
and conquests Shall she dshonor her nationality by
making it the shield of individual avarice? No. III the
Authorization Of Cubs be fact worthy our notice.
US take such notice of as becomes the first Republic OF
the world. If interests mperilled let the army
and navy be summoned to their duty Let the Govern
ment act as Government, through its own organized
constitutional instruments and with all the ample powers
with which it is clothed.
But again II the suspension of the neutrality laws
will contribute to the invasion OF Cuba BY awless bands
with Spain is Inevitable, unless she be cowardy
enough TO submit to such conduct on the part of the
United States She consistently with her nation
al integrity remain at peace with Government which
becomes the patron and protector Of her invaders Mr.
Sldel therefore, cannot but contemplate the pro-
bable result of his proposition, and lie doubtless would
starte at regret it, Well then If the interests
stake such justify the Government in an act
which viii lead to war, why not boldly and at once de-
clare it? Why pursue devious indirect and insidous
obtain object which, if worthy at ALL should
call forth spirit and an action consistent with our cha
racter and dignity?
We regard attempt to Afrcanire Cuba to blast with
the plague of emancipation that garden of the West
n crime against civilization; more than ALL MS blow
aimed at the legitimate progress of this country We
think demands the utmost watchfuness on the part OF
our Government and justifes its most emphatic action
And il is because OF this belief this willingness To ss
tain the Government in the decided measures II NAV
pursue In warding of serious blow that we depre.
cate such tortuous and unworthy recourse as would
make vagabonds every where the keepers Of our honor
and the champions Of our imperilled interests If the
possession Of Cuba be necessary safety and
mean to have it, let the thing be done in manner wor
thy of people who know their interests and boldly de-
! fend them.
LABAy MRRcER indicted for murder in Wetzel county
(Val on the authority of ghost has been acquitted
The ghost failed to appear when his testimony might