The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-08-23
NO. 18.

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Fremont, and the administration of the Gov.
ernment by him upon the principles of his par.
ty, would necessarily occasion dissolution of
the Federal Union, to which they have been
taught to look as the source of national strength
and of individual prosperity and happiness.
l have known the Wings of my State too
long, / estimate their patriotism too highly, I
have associated with them too intimately, to
suppose it necessary for moment to offer all
argument to them in behalf Of their country.
They appreciate, as fully as I could depict,
the horrors Of disunion; they will see the loss
Of national strength, the internal dissensions,
the fatal check of civilization and freedom, the
contempt of the world which would be the
consequence Of such calamity. The Wings
OF Maryland, who have followed the lead of such
patriots as Clay and Webster, twill never keep
step to any other music than that Of the Union"
1t therefore only remains to inquire what
course shall be taken to rebuke sectional fanat-
icism and preserve our country from the dan
gers of its success.
You are aware that this Republican party,
which we all agree must be put down ut all
hazards is opposed by two other party organi-
cations: the American, headed by Messrs. Fill
more and Donelson, and the Democratic, led
on by Messrs Buchanan and Breckenridge.
You will recollect that Mr.. Fillmore, prior to
his recent visit to Europe, abandoned the
Wing party and became member of the for
mer of these organizations, which boasted that
it had risen upon the downfall of the Whg
party, and which proclaimed that the corrup-
tions of the Whig and Democratic parties
constituted the necessity of its existence. You
know that he and Andrew jackson Donclson
have been nominated by this party (not by the
Wing 7arty) for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency, and you will admit that the prin-
clpes of prescription because of religious opin-
ions, and other reputed tenets of this new
party are in direct antagonism with the prin-
cpes of that good old Wing party to which
ne are still attached, and which has been
abandoned by Mr. Fillmore. 1t is not my
object in referring to these fact to deny to the
American party, since the secession of It's abo.
ition adhcrents, fair claim to nationality;
1or to deny the patriotism and virtue of Mr..
Fillmore, nor his eminent qualification for the
oiiice of Chief Magistrate. But / do deducc
rom them the necessary conclusion that, as
wings, we owe no party allegiance to Messrs.
Fillmore and Donelson, members and nomi-
nees OF the American party dcduce the
conclusion that rs Wings, we are not only at
liberty, but that as patriots we are bound, by
every obligation to our country and posterity,
10 throw aside, ON the one hand, the feelings
of hostility which Mr.. Fillmore's desertion of
our party would be calculated to engender,
md, on the other hand, to forget for the time
'nr former battles with the Democratic party.
md to ask ourselves but one question -aohiM
IT the two national organizations offers the
'est guarantee of success in crushing out of ex-
stcnce this new and monstrous sectional party.
which threatens the life of your country? /
10 not propose to examine the relative claims
If the two national parties or their nominees
o our support. 1t is not, in my Judgment,
in the present crisis to interpose
ur individual differences of opinion upon mi
or questions. 1t is sufficient for us to know
hat the election Of either national nominee
'ond secure the Union; and the only question
emitted by patriotism is, whether our sup.
ort OF the one or the other would more Ger.
linly prove successful?
But before l proceed to this inquiry, having
low lown that no political allegiance to Messrs.
'llmore and Donelson will interpose to pre-
INT the fair exercise of our Judgment on that
de, l propose briefly to inquire whether
'ere is anything to prevent our support of the
emocratic nominees If after investigation
shall believe that our vote in their favor
onld certainly secnre the safety Of our coun.
y. 1t cannot have escaped your observation
4 lat the political principles upon which the
ing and Democratic parties have battled for
'rty years, with varied success, have been
r the most part settled by the fat of the
'ople, and that such as have not been so def
tey disposed of have been either abandoned
the one or adopted by the other of those
artles; so that now the representatives of the
eople in the halls Of State and Federal legis.
tlon are found unfortunately advocating
I'd opposing the same principles and measures.
OF only is there no principle of political an
lgonism which should prevent Wings and
emocrats acting together for the benefit of
er common country, but it is confidently
bmitted that upon the only vital question.
at which now agitates and endangers the
'untry the two parties fully accord. The
'hig and Democratic platforms upon the
avery question in eighteen hundred and fifty.
70 were identical; and, there being no Whig
minees before the people, it might be suggest,