Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-05-06
To the Old Line MhigN.

gender purely sectional feeling, and to present
purely sectional issue in the ensuing Presidential
campaign. We cited the Tribune and Enquirer
examples and published from each what might be
received proper test of their feelings and views,
30 far at least the Kansas question is involved.
We expressed, without reserve, in yesterdays
issue, views in relation TO the Staunton Conven
tioh, which meets to-day. From what have al
ready said, well from the uniform Of this
paper, iar-mndcd men, of any party section
will venture the assertion that not true to the
South and to Southern interests. Indeed, may
without the appearance of Boosting, challenge the
most squeamish ultra Southern man. to point to the
instance in which We have altered in our duty,
or been backward in the bold advocacy of the Con
stutional and ascertained rights of the South. We
now, on this subject where we have ever stood.
and ever mean TO stand-ine xible in devotion to the
peculiar institutions Of the South-unwavering in
our support of every proper remedy for each and
every evil sought to be forced on the interests and
absolute rights OF slavery-bod and unrelentng in
our uncompromiSing opposition to every semblance
of abotonism Frees oism-quck to detect and
prompt denouuce, every attack, whether open and
avowed, or covert and insidious, on the system OF
slavery it exists, and, right must exist long
as the Union exists and the guarantees Of the Con
sutution are enforced. Such has ever BEEN is now,
and will be- the position occupied and the rule
Of action of the Richmond Wig, so long, at least
it is in the hands of its present proprietors and
editors.
Having said thus much, desire TO address few
words in all seriousness to the ''old line Wings
But though we have selected these the special oh
ject of our appeal, may be pardoned for saying
that we regard what shall say, not unworthy
of the consideration of every conservative, Unonlo
wing constitutional observing of the country
Such the pressing exigencies OF the times that it
we'll becomes every true-hearted and right-thnkine
man TO examine well, with eye to future conSe
quences, the position he may select in the ensuing
campaign.
The old line Wings of Kentucky and Maryland
have, in part designated their line of policy, and, il
terms not to be misapprehended, manifested
bated zeal for, aud an undaunted devotion to, tos.
high principles OF national and State conservatism
which, in Olden times, animated the wills and gave
direction to the councils of the old Wing party
Now, on former occasions, when the Union was IN
danger, from popular connection sectional feuds,
partisan rvalries. NAL administration, executive
corruption. they acknowledge their allegiance to tie
Constitution, renew their to stand by the i'll
tegty of the Union and desert the reserved
rights of the States, betray the liberties Of the
people. Now, when the most alarming dangers
threaten the integrity of the Union, and the great
body of the people divided into various parties,
and distracted by various conflicting organizations
the "od line Wings" a body naturally desire, A.
heretofore to their country and aid in protect
ing the balances of the Constitution and preserving
the true spirit and genius of our Federal and State
institutions. This is natural and proper 1t is a.
should be- How then are they SO to act as best t.
secure the Ugh and noble objects they have in view
This is, of course, question which must be an
swered by each man for himself with all the light
before him. Public sentiment organised action, pa
ty affiliations after all are but individual Wills pc
sonal resolves, intensified by aggregated power
Wherever whenever a cause of sufficient weigh e2
lists TO draw out and attract together individual will
into united effort the result must always produc,
the effect in some FORM of uniform and concentra
ted effort in support of the common design. How
then is this united concentrated effort in the pr,
sent posture Of matters to be securedY And, win,
secured how and in what direction shall this unit d
effort be drectedg To secure plain practical an
to these questions, need only address our
selves to each cold line Wing" individually.
Then we ask, in the first place, each old line
Wing, not his principles his views his State
and national feeling, his views of constitutional re
they were in lsi4-4s '522 Is his devotion to the
Union less Are his sentiments as to the supreme
cy Of the laws the sanctity Of the Constitution, the
involablity Of the Federal Compact, atered2 We
confidently anticipate the to these questions
Then allow to ask, in what respect has the t;tth
the policy the designs, the o6ice-iociag propensi-
ties Of the Democratic party changed Are Mcy
not now what they when, in 1914, Hrvn
Clay was, by them, denounced as an Abolitionst
Have they, in anything changed, since in sis when
they warred upon General Taylor and Willard Fill
more enemies to the Constitution" "alies Of the
Abotioniss?' In what do they differ from their
position when in 1852, General Scott was so bitter.
" assaed because Of his abolition procliyities =
These are not idle unmeaning questions Let
each man answer for himself Who has forgotten
the feetiHgs excited in his bosom. when tho above
named great and good men were thus assailed b,
the Democratic press and orators? Who-what oil,
line Wing especiay-has forgotten the assurances
in 1852, that the Democratic party and FRANK
LIN PIERCE, above all men, were true to tn
SCULPTURE to the Constitution--true 10 the be-
interests Of the countryY Let each man answer 70
himself Who, that observed the administration
not the prOnunciamentos, Of PresdeHt Pierce tina
does not feel in his heart, that the South has no
been properly dealt by-that the Constitution Ma
not been faithfully adhered to-that the country hs
not been mpartiay servedY
Winch Of the "old line Wings" who has road an
considered the extracts published in this paper fro
the ScHtiHel, during last week, that does not adm
the censures Of that paper-Democradc a. il
and they were-were not only entire
consistent with truth, but we're well-tmed and in.
ly mertcdy But again n the profess,ons Of Il
Democracy were IN SJ2, sincere, and tn practi
Of the Pierce administration in accordance wi
those professions, ask how is 1t that the reJuI
Of the S,HtiHei remain unanswered by the Eaq,
rerf And II those rebukes, being unanswered, a
Justly mcrited and properly administered, VIII,
does the Virginia Democratic Convention, which
recently eEdorsed GENERAL Pierce and his admin
traitor, standI LET THE ENQUIRER A
swER
These questions being snswered-we further