Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-08-03
TIL: REASON WHY.


1t does not surprise us that the Wing md Know
Nothing journals should wish to avoid the discussion
Of the grc,t question which now separates tue two
sections OF the Union. The record uf their coatcm'
poraries ani conireres the North is so blurred an
bloeed with anti-slavcry sentiments and anslavcry
movements, that it is rather n delicate topic with
them. Cnald we do so in justice to the position we
occupy, Gs watchmcn Tor the South, we should for
bear in kinducs, to neighbOrs, all reference IL
the subject; but duty requires at our hands that
we should forego even the exquisite pleasure this
course would afford us, and lay before our readers
no; only the movements OF the Northern Know. No
things in th, regard but also expose the sympahes,
seemingly a. least, cherished for them by their COM
panions at the South.
How these sympathics have arisen, We are at a
loss to explain, unless their explanation be found IN
bitter and malignant hatred Of the Democracy which
ior the time swallows up anl cbliteracs all the dis
tnctions between the Northern and Southern por-
tons of the Wing and Know.Nothing parties We
should be loath to charge for example, our neghbor,
tho Richmond Wing, with cherislins sentiments akin
to those entertained by the Abooniss yet what nrc
We to think of tho declaration made few days since
rigid neutrality" in controversy upon the subject,
if the Democrats were arrnycG on the one hand and
the Abolitionsts the othcrl If such declaration
had been made in the excitement Of heated pclti-
cal canvass, there might be apology for the i'm
prudence-it might be overlooked us pardonahe in
discretion on the part Of party CALLED and jaded by
freaucnt dcfeat; but it has no redceming feature
when uttered at this time.
Just now, the forces both North and South, arc be-
ing marshaed for the conflict. We are on the eve
Of the settlement of great sectional question, which,
determine az it mny should enlist all the energies
and require oil the fidelity Of every man who has at
heart his country's good. Upon the issue OF this
question, will depend in no little degree the perma-
nence and value Of the Union. After series of cor-
cessons Oh the part of the South almost unpara!le-
ed, it has reached the point when no further conccs-
sions can be made, when the question which has so
long agiated the Union must be settled and settled
forever. At such time, ii Mt any time, the South
had right to expect "every Southern man to do hiS
duyto Let all minor differences of opinion, OF sen
timen and of pre- udices be forgotten and to devote
himself with singlencss Of aim and with unwavering
fidelity to s cause, which, in the present contc'f Is
the cause of Justice, of truth and OF the C"ns'tu-
tion. Yet at such time as this, the Richmond
Wing, which has so long proessed to be the champion
of the institutions Of tho South-whose Trades
asains. Democratic Presidents for their alleged
inidelity to Southern institutions, have become
provertiai,-in an instant changes its position, and
asserts that if the contest be narrowed down to the
Sewart,itcs on the one side and the old proscrptve
spoils-seeking I.ocofocos, lankcd by Dutch and
Irish, md led by Wings Of the lscar"t stripe on the
other you must expect very little comfort from us.
- awe are not certain that our synpa-
thies could bs erected enough 10 m1afc as abandon
ricid acutrahty." In other words for the language
seems TO require translation, il the abotonists OH
the one hund and the Democratic party on the other,
ere the contestants, we are not sure but that we
should preserve "rigd neutrality" in the conflict.
70 what bitterness OF spirit We to attribute the
u,terance Of such sentiment on the part o! South
crn journal When we read it, We could hardly
love tLut our eyes did not deceive us; and we wo
fan hope that sober second thought has restored the
equilibrium OF our neighbors Of the Whg and caused
them TO regret tho sentiment, and to wish that had
never been penned.
Meunwh lie, word OF caution and OF encourage
ment 70 our own party. Democrats have always
been faithful to the institutions OF their country, and
to the constitution, which is the supreme arber be-
tween the conflicting interests and opinions Of the
different sections of the confederacy. We expect
them TO continue faithful, and We would beg them
not to allow any act of desperation the part Of
their opponents, any malice or ilwill expressed in
their journals, or in tho ordinary intercourse Of fs
deter or drive them away from rigid discharge of
their duty, AS for ourselves, we declare that, lei the
issue be raised when it may, between those who are
attached to the Constitution Of the Union, and who
wish to preserve the rights of the States the one
hand ard those who are attempting to overturn that
Constitution and to destroy those rights Oh the other
we shall, without hestapcy, unite with those whe
rally or,u,d the Constitution and States Rights.
though in doing so have to sunder the larGest and
hcs, o,,ahIished ties of sections or Of party.