Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-11-29
The PRESIDENTIAL Election.

Ano ErosAueu1Al 6loCIlOu'
The Presidential election OF 1856 will be Of
greater importance TO the country than any
which has taken place since the adoption OF
the Federal Constitution. 1t will, in truth,
involve the very existence OF that Constitution,
or at least, its application, in its true intent
and meaning, 10 the affairs Of gorernment.-
This is a matter Of too grave importance, 10 be
overlooked by any portion Of the American
people having the stability Of the Union and
the true interests OF the country at heart. All
honest patriots should unite in the great strug.
gle, regardless of former party a%finities and
predictions, and by a united front, North
and South, oppose the current Of fanaticism
and treason which threatens TO sweep away
every principle OF rational freedom and every
prop that upholjs the Union.
The Presidential campaign ofiS56, as an
exchange very iruthfully remarks, will differ
widely from all others which have preceded
it. Heretofore parties were organized upon
constitutional bases, and, whichever succeed
ed, the country was safe. True, we always con
tended, as We still contend, that the principles
Prolessed and carried out by the Democratic
party weSe more liberal than those acted upon
by its opponents /; but even when beaten we
We were not oppressed with any grave fears
that the ~inteIesls OF the country would be Sc
riously disturbed. The liberty OF the citizens
aud the Union Of the States we knew would
be safe in any event +; and for the rest, what
ever errors might be committed were such TO
be cured by time and reflection. But this is
not now the case; and it is idle 10 say there
is no danger. Unless The Know Nothings, the
Aboli;ioniStS, and their allies mean nothing
more by their doctrines than 10 humbug the
people, there is not only a probability, but an
absolute certainty OF serious. perhaps fatal
cOnvu lSions. iven Mr.. Seward, should he be
the next President, SuppoSing him TO be nverse
to carrying out the execrable principles OF his
partiZanS, could not with all his statesman
ship and acknowledged ability, resist the i'm
poruni'ieS Of the reckless and exaSperated ia.
naticS who direct and control his motley ba-
~talliOns. They have sworn on the one hand
that slavery shall be abolished or The Union
dissolved, on the other that immigration shall
he stopped and llbertyIof conscience forbidden
by stringent laws, regardless Of the plain pro
visions Of the Constitution. Who, accuoir ted
with The character of these desperate factions
can doubt that they mean what they say, or
that, should the reinS Of government fall into
their hands, they would make an effort, al
least to carry their Infamous professions into
? 1t is sheer madness 10 shut our
eyes 10 the dangers that menace the country
md make no timely effort TO avert them
Against this union OF bad men, we must have
4 union OF the good and wise of all parties ;
md this can only be accomplished by those
who have hitherto belonged TO different party
organizations, but have now only the safety
the Union and the Welfare OF the country at
ieart, attaching themselves 10 the Democratic
organization.
The democratic party IS now The only nation
party. Its orca n~ization is the same North
nj South; and so, with some slight shades OF
Inference, which never disturb its harmony,
Ire its doctrines. That they are safe and
the prosperity of the country under all
IS administration offers abundant evidence;
o Ina! in calling on oil true patriots 10 rally {
nder its broad banner in this time of peri
'e invite them 10 an ark of safety, where they
lay plant themselves nd wage an honorable
'arfare for our common rights and interests. {