The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-30
For the National Era.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
The almost unprecedented victory which the
Democratic party acquired at the Presiden-
tial election of 1852, made it the arbiter Of
the destinies of the country, as it would ap-
pear, for many years to come. The Wing
party was, as the Nep York Tribune acknowl-
edged. in fact, annihilated, and the Free. Soil
ers, or Independent Democrats, as they also
were called, but few, and apparently without
any power to resist the dominant party. The
conquerors needed but common sense and
moderation to Illustrate all attempts at de-
priving them of the confidence of the nation,
the great majority of which had no sympathy
with the defunct Wings, and were much in
clined to look upon the Free-Soilers as hand
full of fanatics.
The inaugural speech of President Pierce
won for him golden opinions, and increased
much his popularity aud his affable manners
and easy department became his graceful per-
son so well as to make him great fsvorite
with those who made his personal acquaint
ance. Hence even the appointment of the
willy Marcy, the unprincipled Gushing, and the
obstinate Jefferson Davis, as members of his
Cabinet, was excused as a necessity, of at
tempting a reconciliation between the respect
i've factions of which the great Democratic
party was composed.
The intentions of the President were doubt
less good; and his own abilities, as well as those
which the members of his Cabinet were con-
ceded to possess, seemed to promise the realiza-
ton of the hopes which the Democratic journals
and speakers had held out during the preceding
Presidential canvass.
The quarrel which, some months after the
inauguration, arose between the Administration
and the Hards" of New York, was of no
national Importance, but one in which both
parties equally disgraced themselves.
Soon it began to be manifest why the ma
iority of Southern delegates at the National
Democratic Convention at Baltimore, in 1852,
had SO strenuousIy opposed the nomination Of
General Cass, and on the contrary urged that
Of Buchanan, and, lastly, so readily consented
to that of General Pierce. From Cass they
| apprehended some resistance, at least, against
| the realization of the secret schemes of the
| Ohparchy, but, from Buchanan or Pierce, none.
There can be no doubt that certain portion
| of the Shareholders had already, previous to
| the Presidential election of 1852, agreed upon
attemntinp the repeal Of the Missouri Compro
mise as soon as fair opportunity OF accom-
| ri;oh;nr this wicked scheme should open itself.
| The election OF Nj. Pierce ripened this treach.
erous plan into maturity, and the acting Presi
dent of the Senate, the now so notorious Atchi
son, assumed the leadership in this move. By
| 10 no
| ties of more sincere friends of his, was seduced
into becoming instrumental in the execution
| of this plan, which, as is generally known, was
soon consummated by the aid of many of the
| Northern Democrats in Congress, and in virtue
| of the sanction of President Pierce.
| This step being taken in the wrong direc-
ton, the Administration found it impossible to
rid itself of the influence of the Oligarchy
but was compelled to pursue that blamabe and
criminal course, which has brought upon /,
| the contempt of the nation, and indeed of the
whole civilized world.
But Mr.. Buchanan has bound himself tc
pursue, should he he elected President, the
same abominable career that has disgraced his
predecessors Administration. In accepting the
nomination of the sham Democracy, he ap
proved, in fact, Of the proceedings of the Mis-
souri, invaders of Kansas, and of the supper
which Mr.. Pierce has given to Atchison anc
his band of robbers, incendiaries, and murder
ers. Without now noticing many other dis
qualifica the above are enough to render
Mr.. Buchanan altogether unworthy of becoming
the Chief Magistrate of the country.
The party whose Presidential candidate Mr.
Buchanan is and which is composed mainly
of shareholders and Northern doughfaces, car
have no claim upon the support OF the nation
because, having made itself altogether subser
Went to the promotion of the sectional interest:
Of the Oligarchy, and moreover stained The
national character with almost indelible dis
honor, by the bsrefaced support which it ha!
given to the Oligarchy in their internal attemp
at extending the area of Slavery by means o
fire and sword.
1t is the degeneration of the Democratic
party, and the shameless conduct of the Demo
cratic Administration, which have in such
degree increased the strength of the Free-Soil
ers that these, under the assumed name OF thu
Republican party, have been enabled to keeE
in Congress the sham Democracy at bay, anS
will no doubt succeed in humbling the AFRO
gance of the shareholders, and defeating thu
degenersted Democratic party in every one o
the free States.
Fhe day is near at hand when the struggle
which IN the United States is fought between
the friends of Freedom and Humanity and tn,
Supporters of the Slave Power, and which TO
four months has attracted the attention of thi
whole civilized world, is to be decided.
| The Justice of Providence and the inteligenc.
and attachment of the American people tt
Freedom, warrant the confident hope that tn,
Republican party will acquire signal triumph
and elect the gallant Fremont and the worth,
Dayton President and Vice President of oui
glorious country.
No American, sincerely loving the free insti
tutions which have hitherto been the boast anC
glory of the people of the United States, an,
opposed to the extension of the horrible evils as
| sociated with Negro Slavery, can conscientious
ly, by his vote, aid the election of Buchanan, VIII
has pledged himselft to the same course of polio
which has made the Pierce Administration s.
contemplate, and entailed upon the countr
| SC much Indebtedness and disgrace.
The victory of the Republican party and tn
election of Fremont will be hailed by the bes
portion of the whole human race With the 81
} most Joy, and &c events portending the enfran
chisement of the enssvsd nationalities, frou
civil, judicial, and religious bondage.
In Europe, it is generally hoped that tn
adopted citizens unanimously will range them
selves on the side Of the patriots and friends G
the dearest interests of mankind, that hay
united for resisting the extension of Slavery
and for rescuing the United States from th
blasting influence which the Oligarchy has s.
, long exercised upon their public affairs.
Indeed, it is the sacred duty of every adopte'
f citizen to record his gratitude for the immuni
t ties which he has received, by being admitte