Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-19
THE NEXT PKEsIDENCY-wH
SHOULD THE SOUTH PREFER!


an anonymous pamphlet, modestly entitled IAN |
Appeal to the Democracy of Virginia" tits
signed "A Virgnian." Feeling natural |
anxiety that this glorious old Commonwealth
should have the benefit of honest counsels in
the approaching nomination at Cincinnati, we
turned to the tract with so much of disinterest-
edness in its title, and having found that it was
selfish and invidious commentator of one
Of the prominent candidates of the Democratic
party, we havefeltit our duty toexpose, and coun
teract it; and moreover to give, in the shape
Of an appeal to the whole South, some reasons
to prove the following propositions:
lst. That the Democracy of the South is
under no obligation in honor or in policy to
bestow their electoral votes upon Mr.. Pierce,
at the Cincinnati National Convention.
ID. That the Democracy of the South having
tested the devotion of Mr.. Buchanan to their
rights, may consistently, honorably, and ad-
vantageously support him the most eligible
and appropriate nominee OF that convention.
Before taking up these propositions, we pause
q moment to deprive the anonymous pamphlet
10 which We have referred, of that claim to
public consideration, which might be based
upon its title or its signature. And as we like
that system of ratocinatioa, by which the
origin of an act is to be inferred from its coin
cidenis and consequences, we will state the
reasons which justify the opinion that he is an
ofhce-h in the District, and not Vir-
ginian.
We infer that the pampheteer is a District
Office holder, because the field swarms with
gentlemen who have no other means of sigma
LIKING their fealty to the treasury than by
anonymous hosannas to the hand that holds
the key. They are naturally DESTROYS to renew
their policies, and effect an insurance upon
their salaries for the four years to come. We
infer that he is not a Virginian, because he
neither avows the principles nor respects the
usages of that ancient, honorable, and con-
sistent Dominion, and because his counsels are
neither those of a citizen nor of true friend.
1t has become our duty to demonstrate that
Virginia and the South are under no obliga-
tions TO support Mr.. Pierce for denomination,
because the pamphleteer, in common with
other partisans, insists that Virginia having
established his claim =" to her gratitude and
confidence BIZ devotion to The principles, at
tachment to ause, and the most splendid
success iq s. of her rights and interests"
it would be equally "ungrateful and unwise in
her now to desert him."
This assumption places Mr.. Pierce upon the
high ground of public benefactor, whose con-
tinusnce in Office is indispensable to the main
tenance of those principles which he has
avowed. 1t lays Virginia and the South under
chivalrous obligation to sacrifice their in
terests rather than forfeit their fidelity. Let
us examine if this be so, for, if it were, we
confess il would be conclusive of the question.
The Democratic party in Virginia in 1852 laid
down Mr.. Buchanan, its first choice, and cast
their vote for Mr.. Pierce. 1t did so on the
principle that no local or personal preference
should be permitted to interfere with the sue.
cess OF the Democratic party. II it should
appear that the success of that party would be
promoted by laying down Mr.. Pierce in 1856,
and taking up some other substitute, and that
substitute should be Mr.. Buchanan, it would
not only illustrate an exalted devotion to prin-
ciple but become an act Of political retribution.
Butdoes the South owe Mr.. Pierce an obligation,
which exposes it to the harsh denunciation OF
the pamphleteer and others, If il shall bestow
its support upon any one else?
The Presidency Of the United States is the
highest Office within the gift Of the people.
Thousands are born and die with an ungrati-
fed aspiration to enjoy its honors. Mr.. Pierce
has been by the people called from private life
to occupy this Office. For four years he has
received a princely income. He has COM
manded the armies and directed the navy Of
the Republic; he has held the custody Of its
treasures. He has conducted the intercourse
between this nation and others, and his name
will be connected with all Of national achieve
ment during his administration. He has the
power Of press fed by public patronage; it
daily records his Deeds and advocates, with
every circumstance of adulation, a renewal Of
the commission now about TO expire under the
periodical limitation imposed by the Constitu.
ton. He has taken from his antagonists and
bestowed upon MS rienos inc ohces and sala-
ries OF the Government In return for these
honors and substantial advantages the Repub-
lie has received the personal services Of The
incumbent, rendered according to the best
lights within him. This is fair statement of
the relation between them. Now, we do Mr..
Pierce no injustice when we assert that be can
not so far have surpassed by the spleador and
solidity Of bis services the aggregate Of bonors
thus conferred upon him as to lay the party to
which he owes all that he is, under positive
obligation that nothing but renewal of their
favor can repay. He is but the servant Of the
people, and can do no more by the most con-
scientious and efficient discharge Of his duties,
than earn the considerations upon which they
.la4 L. DILL