Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-12
The southern sectional Party.


The Southern Sectional Party.
We have the admission of Mr. Buchanan himself
that there dangerous sectional party at the South
which il will be the aim of his administration to put
down and 'crasb out" This fact being confessed,
II becomes matter Of some interest inquire who
compose the sectional party-oi what materials is it
consituted-what is its strengthened who are its
counseors and leaders.
We think it will be universally conceded that the
faint Of sectonasm does not attach in any sense
in any degree to the Wings and Americans of the
South Their platform is the Constitution and the
Union they are. Upon this simple and distinct,
yet comprehensive and patriotic issue, they wagcd
the battles of the extraordinary canvass just
and upon this issue alone their candidate nobly and
firmly planted himself and no earthly consideration
not the most exalted position within the gift
OF a free people-could induce him to swerve from it,
either to the right or the left Mr. Fillmore boldly
and periodically declared TO his countrymen, at the
very outset of the campaign, that he was and meant
TO continue, national man in all his principles feel
ings purposes and aspirations and that il there
those either in the North the South who desired
or expected him to administer the government for
the North against the South, for the South Is
against the North they were not the men who should
give their sutirages to him. And this noble and pa
triotic declaration received and responded TO by
his friends and supporters at the South with the most
cordial manifestations Of approval qualification and
delight And upon the broad and saving principle
bodied in this declaration they conducted the canvass
throughout and upon this they based their claims to
public support and made their appeals TO the intelli
gence and patriotism OF the people 1t cannot be
charged, therefore, that the Wing and American par
ties Of the South in the degree affected
with the heresy Of sectonalism. 1t is not Wings
and Americans, consequently, against whom Mr.. Blu
chanan designs dwelling the batteries of his admin
istraton, and whom he declares it his purpose to
destroy"
Who, them compose this sectional party at the
South, which is obnoxious to the President elect
In the nature of things, they only be members
of the party Of which Mr. Buchanan himself is the
chosen and consecrated chief They are Democrats
and only Democrats and, what is more and worse
moro than two-thirds of the Democratic party at
the South sectionalsts in the broaGcst and most
offensive sense in favor of dissolution OF the Union
per Sc, and bent upon course of policy which will
bring it about in the shortest period of tme-un-
less, iOrsooth their frantic senstyeness in relation
to Southern rights should be soothed by the conn-
ua application of an ointment which only the
loaves aud fishes supply Look back at the his
VI anu you Will Ullu almost
the entire Democratic party at the South-ts press,
eS, orators and fuglemen gcnerally-engaged in the
work Of preaching sectionalism, and preparing the
minds and hearts Of the people for revolution d,su-
Mon and civil war And So if Mr.. Buchanan should
give practical effect to his declaration that "the OBJ
jeet Of his administration toU be 10 desiroy am
sectional pdrty-North or Southland htrmonize
all sections Of tie Union under Il national anil con-
- 4
will surely have to turn his attention to his South
supporters, and make them feel the vigor of his
blows for their notorious and openly proclaimed dis
loyalty 10 the Constitution and the Union.
1t is proper to say, however, that sudden and
marvellous change appears to have over the
dreams of rampant disunionists and fire-eaters
in the South since the announcement Of the result
of the election. Even the Enquirer has grown mo
derate in its tonc and longer spts either forked
flames glittering daggers. On tho contrary it
assumes to be particularly conservative. and
ventures to rebuke the sectionalism of its par
~ friends in South Carolina. And thus Buchanan's
election may already be said have suppressed the
uutterings Of discomfort and revolt-in a measure ..
for has had the effect of quetng the nerves and
slencing the tongues OF numbers of the most disar
1ected and rebellious Of his own party
What this sudden and radical change of tone is
owing to the part Of the Democratic press at the
South, ii is not difficult TO perceive The spoils are
Mt the bottom Of the whole of it-nothing more and
nothing less. In the spols at last, so far as the
Union at present is concerned, lies the hope of the
country-ts peace, its safety, and prosperity. In
truth, even under the old party organizations, our
theory always this-that the only certain wav
of preserving the Union was to keep the Democratic
party IN power for if you should exclude them
from the enjoyment of power and its agreeable Incl
dents for only two three Presidential terms, they
would create revolution and oyerturn the govern.
Inent in spite Of all efforts TO the contrary Contin
ne them in possession Of the government, on the
other hand, and as long as there is dollar in the
treasury or any pckings to be had the country will
be quiet and the Union will be safe Our opinion
is therefore, that there il a world Of virtue in the
bpoils, sometimes
In conclusion we invoke Mr. Buchanan TO com.
mence his work of destruction upon the sectional
lied and proiigate Democracy Of the South 4. hi,
earliest convenience, and promise to lend him ,
hand with conspicuous energy aud with the UTMOST
pleasure.
Tears In our Eyes.
Tears indeed are in our ewes for Svuc ,,;,l