The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-09-26
THE HOUR FOR DECISION.

1t is vet more than year until the presidential election,
s the magnitude of the interests involved in it will JUS
y in calling the attention Of readers to some Of
the points which appear most likely to be involved in the
contest do desire intend to speak of the cam
ddaes for aside from the question as to who is to be the
candidate being beyond conjecture IT is matter Of minor
Importance in comparison with the principles which are to
be determined in the next election. We desire simply to
MENTION for the consideration of our readers few promi-
nent facts which may be appropriately and more
effectively considered that there is comparative
composure in the public mind 1t is ia times OF quiet and
calm that the people best decide upon the great unda-
mental principles which depend the present prosperity
and future perpetuy of Union In the next election
there great principles 10 be determined principles
vital TO the interests Of the whole American peopeprn-
cpes involving not the temporary ascendency OF any po-
cal party merely but the faith and integrity Of the
stuton And in view Of these considerations now is
the time for the people begin thinking earnestly OF the
coming election; now is the time for them to examine
carefully the character and principles of the parties in the
field and now is the time for them to determine with
whom they intend to identify themselves and TO vote.
Even the most casual observer must have noticed the
sentiment and feeling which universally pervade the
public mind that the mes. election is 20 decide the
veal or woe Of our country The whole Of the peo-
pie seem to be conscious of approaching crisis in the
fate Of our Union North and South this has been mani
tested the primary meetings and through the columns Of
the public journals
In the South there but two pastiathe old national
democratic party and its opponents who arc known AZ
nownothings but in the North every ism has separate
can and every mad fanatic has his followers yet there
as the South these men, whether in detail or in cobna-
on may all be cased the opponents OF the democratic
party Widely they may differ among themselves as to
their various ism they all agree in their hatred Of the
national democracy and unite in their assaults upon the
constitution Underlying all the many dogmas for which
these factions Of the North camor there is great ques
ton which stands above and prior to- all others This
is the question of soSSTEnyErrIos OF CosGREss Tif
QUESTION. Party demagogues may clamor about
the threatened invasion by the Pope midnight conn
ellis may send forth their incendiary appeals for the
people to against foreigners crazy fanatics may
about "the rights Of women and the ruin OF rum
and preach moral reform by legislative enactments bu
high above all these arises this aabsorbng eyerproaop
question: Shall Congress shall The people haze the rg
to determine apoa he social and domestic iasttdions IN u
States and Ttrrtoesf 1t is vain for sonthern men to at
tempt to ost other issues upon the people This question
is before the country II involves fundamental prInci
pie the constitution and it has to be settled and setteC
speedily In the North the enemies of the constitutions
rights of the South are determined make this question
the leading and test issue and the democratic party ru
friend as is to those rights cannot and would not if
/ could decline the contest @E
Itwould seem reasonable suppose that in such stat
of parties and upon such question, there could be bu
one party in the South that the whole people
hal
only ark Of safety In great this is the
large majority Of the people of the South will be fount
with democratic party ready TO do battle for thu
Union and their rights, both Of which gone forever
II the democratic party should be defeated and thu
constitution violated But there those in the Souti
who with reckessncss that humilating behold per
ss attempting divert the minds OF the people from
the real and only question ssue To do this they appea
the very worst passions Of man. In order TO excite hatred
against particular of relgonists and foster thu
narrowcst prcudees in order 10 prescribe foreigners
is scarcely be supposed that these be ignorant
OF the nature of the approaching contest it highly
improbable that with many and such threatening signs
OF danger in the political Skies they alone have
cloud and yet ia humatng to believe that they be
fuy of the character Of the approaching crisis
convinced Of The certainty that the nonntervenon Of
Congress in tho slavery question Is to be the great If
the only issue and yet, with this knowledge and under
this conviction they deliberately aid and abet the