The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-07-14
CLINTON, La. SATURDAY MORNING, JULY IA, 1856.

with increased intenseness and fury, and
the hellhounds Of faction were again turned
loose, seemingly with no other purpose than
to force to desperation our citizens, and com
lpel them to contemplate events at which
the patriot must shudder and the friend of
human liberty bow his head in despair
Need lrefer to these things? Need | tell
you that all this insult and contumely was
the result of the assertion of constitu.
tional right in the Legislation for terrific.
/ rial government and that this simple asser-
tion called forth an open and avowed hos
tility of the Constitution and its compro.
misses? Need | repeat to you that there
has been and is now in the North, an Or
ganized resistance to this fundamental law,
and that measure passed, as it were, but
Yesterday securing us the possession of our
Fugitive Slave property by means more
practical than those enumerated in that
instrument are threatened with repeal, this
mad scheme embracing the abolition of
slavery not only in the District of Colum-
bia hut in the States which recognize it,
Need l say you that Senator's of the U ui-
ted States, have risen in their seats, and
proclaimed to the world that they do not
recognize as binding and obligatory the pro.
vision of this instrument which they have
sworn to support; that in that once august
body where formerly not more than one
or two traitors to the Union could he found,
there are now large number; that, aided
and comforted by secret political organ
ization to which shall presently allude, the
other branch of the national Legislature may
be said to be under their control; that
there has been distinct notification of stat
ute laws by two or three States; that an
upright Judge has been cut down and de-
lprived of the ermine for needing his oath
of office and carrying out the laws of the
land; in q word that every species of insult
has been offered to the South, and that
those most disposed to think and speak
lightly of these atrocities are now serious
and look upon the perpctuity of this Union
of States as problematcal? No, no. All
these things you know. The history is
plain-too plain and direct, indeed; and
whilst | am not an alarmist or have the
slightest disposition to indulge in fearful
forebodings as to what fate may have in
store for us, | must and will say to my fcl-
low citizens in this District and through
out Louisiana, that crisis is not approach
ing but is at hand, which is to test whether
the original compact signed and ratified by
partners in all respects equal, is to be sus-
taincd or annullcd. We cannot shut our
eyes to this fact, much as we might desire
to do so, nor to the no less significant truth
that it is our duty as men worthy liberty and
la glorious ancestry to meet the impending
struggle firmly and boldly. Should | be
honored by the suffragcs of those you rep
resent with a voice in the national councils,
it shall be raised, feeble as it is, in vind-
cation of rights now threatened and it will
be my duty, as it will be my pleasure, to
join my efforts with those true friends of
the South who will resist to the last cxtrcm
ity any interference with those rights, no
matter what the sacrifice may be; for, with
nations, as with individuals, death is pref.
cradle to dishonor. Cherishing the bond
Of Union as we receive it from the fathers
of the Republic we should SO shape our
action that wemay be prepared and united
for the worst that may overtakc us and be
found in the dark hour battling not against
that bond, but in support of it while it is
capable of being sustained, and abandoning
it only when it ceases to be operative for
the end which called it into existence.
In regard to our Principles as a party
it is not necessary that ! should say word
or reiterate my attachment to, or unsha-
ken confidence in them. Unlike the cham
eleon phases Of our opponents, they know
no change. They are the same to day that
they were half a century ago, and will be
the same through all coming time, based as
they are, upon those eternal truths upon
which a Republican form of Government
must stand or fall. They will be found in
the writings Of all the great Apostles of
Democracy, and in the practical working
of our government under Democratic Rule.
In a word, they are embraced in the Bal
timore Platform, and are not susceptible
Of change in stringency, tone, or COM
prehensiveness, unless such change, dictated
by future events and referring merely to en-
larged details, shall correspond with their
genuine spirit and all-powerful influence
There is one point, however, that has ever
been open to free and frank discussion, and
uDon which / desire that may be distinct.