Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-10-15
WEDNESDAY, OCT. Is, 1855.
Scraps from the Record.

Scraps from the Record.
Below will be found some strange scraps
from the record Of a man who is the can
didate of party which threatens to over
throw the government, because a portion
of the people are opposed to the extension
of slavery. James Buchanan is the can
didate of the Democratic party, which is
in truth the Southern sectional party, clam
Oring for the extension of southern inSttu-
tons, and by every possible means harass-
ing the public mind with the agitation of
the question.
To read this record one would be tempt
ed to ask in wonderment, by what trick of
political legerdemain had this Northern
man who had consistently and unwavering-
ly opposed the extension Of slavery, and
thrown one of the most important votes Of
his life, on the ground that it would dim
it," and not "enlarge the area of slavery =
been transmografed into a suitable candi-
date to represent party, which would not
hesitate to destroy the government unless
measures can be forced which this candi-
date has always opposed.
This is evidence of the deep proaigacy
of the democratic party, and calls for stern
rebuke at the hands of every man who is
not bound hand and foot to the service of
his party. Honest patriots who would
zeaIously guard this government against
abuses. which if permitted will impair it,
and weaken the confidence of the people,
not only in the rulers for the time being,
but in the system ITSELF should look seri-
ously into this matter. If the elective
franchise, the instrument by which a great
and free people, have ordained that they
will quadrennially pass upon the conduct
Of those whom they have entrusted with
the public service, shall be converted into
cheat and fraud, indeed has degeneracy
made fearful progress in our midst. If
dishonesty and deception are to be the
30 means by which government Boosting to
lead the van Of enlightenment, and all that
pertains to the elevation of the race, is to
choose its rulers, and regulate its policy,
the time cannot be far distant when the
honesty and intelligence of the people will
discover the rottenness, and be ready to
reject the system as incompetent to the
ends of good government.
A party which obtains power 10y fraud
and dishonesty, will be likely to practice
upon them TO maintain it. We see this
exemplifed to-day. In 1852, the dcmocra-
tic party after having opposed the compro-
mise measures OF 1850, and denounced
them as unjust and unequal, and a cOnyen-
ton of distinguished members of that par.
ty had assembled in thiS city, to devise
measures TO dissolve the Union, unless
they were so modified as to relieve them of
the injustice which was attributed to them,
met in convention in Baltimore, and adopt
ed series of resolves, among which was
one pledging the party to a faithful main
tenance Of the compromise, and declaring
it to be iinality upon the questions to
which it referred. This action was wilful
and deliberate deception.
But upon this resolution, they nominated
candidate, and advocated his election
upon the ground that he was truer friend
of the compromise than his opponent and
that his success would be guaranty of
peace and quiet from slavery agitation.
This impression was palmed on the pub
lie who were yearnng for perpetuation of
the bissful condition which that adjustment
had established, and Franklin Pierce was
elected ,-borne into authority upon the
breath of stupendOus fasehood. No better
evidence can be desired that such was its
character, than that in twelve months after
his Inauguration his party had ruthessly
re-opened question which they had de-
clared was finally disposed of, and which
declaration had been the ladder by which
they climbed into power Here was anoth-
er act of deeply criminal dishonesty.
To prolong this power, fraud and trick
cry must be again called into requistion.
An act is passed establishing governments
for two territories, which the enterprise Of
the white maa were retaining from the
Indian aud the wilderness, and IN the set
Element Of the most delicate question con-
nected with the formation Of these terri
torial governments, the principle of non
Intervention was professedly applied to 1t.
But TO serve their turn, another measure
was Migrated in the act which has stirred
the fountains Of the great deep, and set on
foot commotion which threatens most
fatal consequences. 10 repair the mis-
chief to the party organization which this
last step has wrought, they have substitute
ed an odious and revolving doctrine of
sqaatter sovereignty, for that Of noHinter-
,.Fention, which properly understood and
honestly applied, is the only true doctrine;
aud nominated as their candidate, mar,
who in the North can be represented and
defended from the odium Of the Nebraska
siniputy, on the ground that be was absent
from the country during its passage. aud
that he avows squatter sovereignty TO DO
\. rrliak 10 Gatfla