, 1856-11-07
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATIONS
Tuesday Last.

AgreeaDle 10 lHe COhstl'u'IVh "Iu tIe
laws of congress relating thereto, Tuesday
of this week was the day fixed upon for
holding an election for President and Vice
President of our country. Whoever a ma
jority of the citizens Of the States have de-
termined upon to preside over their desti.
nies for the next four years, the fact can
not be disguised, although we have had
no part nor lot in the mattel, hat we have
all, more or less, felt the importance Of the
occasion.
Our republican form of government has
become old, nay, somewhat venerable,
Over half a century has transpired since
Gen. WASHINGTON was inaugurated as its
President Since that event, the history
Of our country will bear testimony Of the
large accumulation Of territory which we
possess, which at that time belonged to
foreign powers. The Louisiana and Flor
ida purchase enriched US with territory,
which we probably never would have pos
sessed if our country's destiny had been
placed in the keeping and under the charge
of federalism. That Territory was ac-
quired legitimntely, and in the only way
afforded by the law of nations whereby it
can be acquired-by conquest, negotiation,
treaty, purchase or occupancy. 1t became
the property Of the United States through
the mediation Of the blood and treasure Of
our whole people. 1t was not procured as
an asylum purely for the people of the
north, or exclusively for the south. 1t was
recognized as q land to which the oppressed
Of Europe might repair with a guarantee
that religious liberty would be extended to
them, and where they might adopt their
own form Of government, provided only
that it was republican in principle. The
large amount Of territory acquired by the
United States since the adoption Of its
constitution, was never attached to our
limits for the purpose Of fostering slavery
on the one hand, or affording homes to
revilers Of purely democratic institution
on the other. Our opinion is that our
forefathers never intended to make dis
tinction between cooley" Mexican "pe.
on" African, or servile white labor, such
as is held in bondage in most Of the manu-
factories of the north.
Forming the Union, as all the original
States did, with common understanding,
courtesy, as well as common sense of de-
cency, dictated to the representatives Of
the non-slaveholding States that they should
not make any effort TO deprive the slave
holding States from becoming an integral
portion Of that fabric. After the constitu-
ton was formed and the constellation of
stars collected, it was not supposed that
the question Of slavery should initiate
against the settlement of any of the terri
tory acquired by treaty with Great Britain,
or any other power.
The result Of the election for President
which has just transpired, will serve to es-
tablish the idea whether democracy shall
triumph, or its ancient enemy, federalism,
shall again assume control, To those who
have been observant Of our governments
career and history, reference to the wri-
tings and actions Of THos. JEFFERSON and
Gen. JACKSON might be considered unnec.
essary. That the principles of democracy
received vitality and was sheltered under
the protecting care of President JEFFERSON
those acquainted with the history Of the
times know full well. A due respect and
reverence for the name and the cause,
might induce us to suggest, truthfully, that
the principles of the party are as immortal
as the author Of our existence. They never
had beginning except with God, neither can
they have an end until the close Of time.
Parties have had an existence, and from
time to time party spirit, whether republi-
can or federalist; have held somewhat un-
disputed sway. Since the commencement
of this party strife, the democratic banner
has contained upon its folds this important
Insignia" Equal and exact justice to all,
Of whatever State or persuasion, religious
or political" Amongst the lovers Of the
Union, the doctrine inculcated in the above,
has been religiously observed Those who
recollect the last election of Gen. JACKSON,
cannot fail to remember the influence