Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-09-26
4For the Standard.
The {, pes.iny of the eDemoeratieI Party.


mating insths novelty of the issues involved in the
late Congressional campaign having in great meas
ure subsidized and quoted down, and the uncommon
bitterness of feeling which existed among opposite
partiZans having in some measure yielded 10 Soeer
reflection, better enabled to view matters as
they really are and to divine with more accuracy
than heretofore the prospective political condition
of our country. MomentouS as the theme is, upon
which propose to submit my views to the world,
vet the citizen should not hesitate shrink from
its consideration account of its magnitude, when
duty and the holy promptngs OF patriotism lmper-
atiyely demand an explicit and decided expression OF
his sentiments of admonition and patriotic counsel.
assume the task, not without unfeigned embarrass-
ment at my nexperence and limited ability, but
with an ardent desire to stay, in their rapid pro-
gress combination of dangerous elements which
must soon explode if not separated and disunited,
aud leave as an enduring wreck of sectional folly
and madness, blind sectarian bigotry, and narrow
local prejudice dismembered Government 10
save the Republic from such appalling and dis
astrous catastrophe should be the paramount OBJ
iect of her devoted sons-in whose bosoms ought
constantly to glow the fire Of '76.
A brief allusion to the history of parties coeval
with the government may be necessary to proper
understanding of our political system, and at once
disclose the prolific cause of so much danger to It's
permanence and stability. purpose here to draw
the line of demarkation in an unprejudiced and i'm
partial manner, and to show conclusively and be-
yond dispute to the mind of the statesman not BIZ
ased warped by the asperity of party spirit that
the Democratic party is the only conservative and
national organization of steadfast and reliable
character which has existed since the formation of
the government out of the chaos and confusion of
the Revolution.
The stormcloud which had so long spread
the heavens, first threatened fury, then abatng and
disclosing the blue dome above, had scarcely passed
away before diversity of sentiment manifested it.
self among our satesmen in relation to the princi-
pies which should form the groundwork of our po-
litical fabric The Constitution had not spread its
protecting over an infant nation, until the 4th
of March, 1879, when it superseded the old Articles
IND hol opfin yryhS
that instrument, composed as it was of the master
minds and giant-spirits of that day-now gathered
to their reward, with posthumous glory beaming in
mild and steady splendor on their names-adverse
doctrines were advanced and advocated by Hamil-
ton and Madison. They were both great men,
Hamilton the strenuous advocate Of centraliza-
ton and consolidation; Madison the bold and fear
less champion of State rights The lormer would
have made the States mere "hewers of wood and
drawers of water" for frightful central despotsm
the latter would reserve for them immunties neces-
sary for selprotection, and confine the action of
the government within certain and welLdeined
limits. Madison successfully defeated the central-
zng influences of the great head, and gloriously
tablished the precious doctrine of State rig hts.-
Madison a Democrat; Hamilton q Federal
list. And those great Constitutional principles which
James Madison enunciated in the Convention,
tho cardinal tenets of the Democratic party, and
form a bright dividing line between our organiza-
ton and defunct WhiggerY. Upon those funda-
mental princi pies, capable of sheterng the nation
in every fierce and terrific storm, and proving to
US in darkness and in tempest I" cloud by day and
pillar of fire by night willing to stand I'M
til folly and madness destroys that holy covenant of
freedom.
Such being our creed, proceed succinctly to ex-
anime the measures OF the two parties, showing the
evidently anti-repubcan tendency of those espous-
ed by opponents, the soundness and nationality
of our own, and the high destiny which awaits our
country under their benign auspices.
The series of measures constituting what was
pompousy designated by Mr.. Clay the American
System, have become such " obsolete ideas " that
cursory auson to them will suffice for the OBJ
ject in view \ United States Bank, commanding
the funds of the government and enjoying privileges
which placed them in extreme jeopardy, and attend
ed by the most corrupting influences, persist
emily advocated by party which but recently bore
the honorable appellation of Whiggery. Then,
twenty-five State Banks were to hold in their tena-
cious grasp the gold and silver of the nation to
tend and multiply to unsafe extent their misera
BILE paper issues, and to pay them into the Treasu
~ as legal currency. Wisdom, prudence, and econ
omy dictated to the financier a safer method of
protecting the public funds, and hence the Sub
Treasury system, which has worked so well, and to
which orr old opponents urge objection or
opposition. Next, in the Wing creed stands out in
bold prominence a High Protective Tariff. This
proved to be detrimental to the interests of
The South, ruinous to her prosperity, and uncaed
for by any monetary embarrassment the part
of the nation. The wise and unobjectonable Tariff
of 1916 has accumulated into the Treasury sum
amply sufficient to meet the annual expenses of the
government, and to assist in the extinguishmcnt of
the puDHC ueOC. Inc mlEQ exercise OF the veto
Power, proper safeguard against the disastrous
effect of hasty and nconsiderate legislation and any
encroachment upon necessary Executive authority,
has found glorious vindication in the cordial sup
port it has obtained from it's bitterest adversaries
wild and reckless legislation by embezzlemeut
and peculation OF the most glaring character, has
yielded to the correct dogma of strictly national
and practical improvements by the General Gov
eminent, and local improvements by the States
which they solely to benefit. Last but not
least, in the textbook of Whiggery-aye, as the
touchstone of orthodoxy is Distribution now quiet
cians-the last measure that witnessed the grand
ors to the dark culverts of Know Nothngism, with
schools for the free use of every poor child In
public lands have been devoted to their legitimate
purpose, namely, to deay the expenses of the gov
eminent and thus has persisted the American
system.
have now presented in a very brief and imper-
feet manner the distinct principles which were zeal
ously advocated by both parties until the forms of
our opponents can only be seen, like phantoms
when darkness has enveloped the horizon, lowering
around the secluded and dmiy lighted Council cham
bers of a Know Nothing lodge. | come NOW to the
intoerant and proscriptive principles ofKnow Moth
ingsm and to the destiny of the Democratic party
in preserving from civil strife and ruin a govern
nlent for which indebted to the pen of JEFF
ferson, the sword of Washington and the browning
wisdom of Madison and his lustrious compeers
Before proceeding further to discuss this momen-
tous subject will here remark that while Whigge-
60, nj