The true Democrat., 1856-07-08
Letter from Senator Ferguson
LIBERTY HILL, ARKANSAS Co.,, ARK.
 Innn 0Rth 1Qsr

may entertain-I yet find that I have hro1 made the subject, and, my political course tb' cause of creating, to some extent, preiudra ;a the minds of many who have heretofore bao, my warm and devoted friends. And AS + all example set by others, who deem that tbo;' opinions and sentiments are sought for br T many, have yielded to a vanity even too mon at present, to present to my constituar., plain and unvarniscd statement of facts regard to my political course and the sentimsr.- that have governed me in the past the nrosos and will continue to govern me in the fptr..
 In 1849 1 came to Arkansas and mon careful survey of grounds occupied by tba r. litical parties then battling for dominance much to my modification and regret. I fonr1 the democracy divided into what We baya learned to designate as the Johnson ari Borland wings of the democratic party Trr on investigating the objects and principles gor erning the two wings, 1 soon satisfied my>s,f that the contention was not one of pripcrI. but of men, and honestly believing in tb,, time honored precept inculcated by the tns democracy of "principles not men," wasev. ceedingy embarrassed, regarding both as dem. crats, and separated only from personal pre. ference.
 To Dr. Borland and Col Johnson I evs, extended the kndest feelings of frieudsbn and flatter myself that I enjoyed to some eI tent their confidence and regard. Dr. Borlard was elected to the U. 5. Senate the year before my removal to the State, and, conseduertlv 1 had no opportunity of having contributed to his election. In the election of Col. Johnson for Congress, in 1850, 1 gave warm and cordial support, and not only by my vote, but exertiag my feeble influence 10 insure his success h 1854 as a member of the State Senate, gave Col. Johnson a hearty support for the seat he occupies in the U $. Senate. Thus it will be seen took no active part in the contest between BOrland and Johnson, but resting upon demo. cratic grounds, and giving my support wheuey-. l deemed the true principles of the democn-c party would be best subserved. Having place myself rectuS in ctrio in regard to the once dvil ed democracy, shall proceed to other questio-s that have since convulsed the public mind
 The history of the rise and progress of l new party that was intended to be built 'uror the ruins of the whig and democratic part.e," is too familiar to the public to need repetition And notwithstanding proclaimed dead, tls proud banner of democracy yet floats upon tL- breeze--her advocates standing manfulIy
 
 ble as truth While the old whig party hs been rentinto thousand fragments, and thou. sanctifed by the memory of a Clay and Webster can never be reunited, "as the cemci of common principle is wanting"
 In the crisis now pending before the COul. try, more important than any that has eys. preceded 1t, it behooves every patriot of tl. land to calmly and dispassionately investgu the principles of the two contending parties that cater for his support, silsncng old preiQ. djceS, looking alone to the insaest of the UuO
 -the whole Union; standing upon the cous,. tuition, discardng sectional bias, endeavorr. as near as possible to emulate the example o' that noble band who consecrated with the.r blood the liberties we now enjoy. To dol tl: we must contrast the principles and platforms of the democratic and Know Nothing parties to see which best cOmportS with that spirit oi nationality of our people and the true princ, pies of our government. We find the Amer. can party as they are pleased to denomnaa themselves divided upon He question of d. others of most vital importance to the south the subject of slavery. The northern division of that party assuming the right of Congress to legiSate upon the subject of slavery in iAe territories, while the southern Know Nothm8 denying that Congress has such right even i- the celebrated 12th section of the J uue platform pretermitting'' an expression ofopiuion outls all important question. Northern Know No. things boldly proclaim that the repeal of the Missouri compromise was a fraud a swiuls and an outrage upon the country, and 1t is with modification and astonishmeut that we hea, southern Know NothingS reterating the sams sentiments. The democratic party now is stand Ing antagoniStlc in principle to the Know Ny thing party, dating its origin back to the tOu- dation of our republic, having for it's advocate. and supporters Jefferson, Madison, Mo1rO Jackson and Polk, successfully battling agdg whatever ism that might present itself adven: to republCanlSm and Tn violation of the ute anu spirit of our federal constitution. Whs ever the true national democracy have aSSeu. Olcd in convention they have never failed give free and open expression to the seutmes| of the party on the veXcd question of slayer assuming constitutional grounds, ready tO sta or fall upon that sacred instrument. St. having been the history of democracy, 1t I with no ordinary pleasure We view the a,t of the democratic convention recently aSSeu bIed at Cincinnati, with the resolutions platform adopted They adopt no doug platform, but fearleSsly meet the issca| presented by the black republicans, shouIr ing the responsibilities of the consttuGo- : question of slavery, boldly and emphatica denying that Congress has any constitutions right to legisate upon tine subject of sar in State or territory or in the District of G. lumbla." Here is no equivocation, no al tsbing from the issue presented, no plal ing to free soil, black repubhcamsm or aJo b,,+ N Its enormity as a national party, without b ters from the platform or nominations, with concert of action and unity of priuCl and purpose. The lOhole party stand uE the constitutional question of slavery WI IS It then will withhold an active and ze3l support from those principles upon which pend the perpetuity and stability of the ], vernment? In this our extremity, to the t- mocratic party alone can we look for help draw out from the labyrinth that we have be, brought into by traitors and crazy fanatics !, Democracy loves the light that truth SheA around all subjects, disapprobates concealme,s ! and invites discussion of its principles-Er ciples that lie at the foundation of civil a constitutional liberty and secure religious {;
 lerance. II
 cannot believe 1t possible that democraH whose prnclples have stood the test of time a-- ! experience, canin this dark hour, when the c0l- ! of a6olltionism is lowering upon our country threatening its destruction and importing tl interest of the whole south, turn from U true faith to worship at the shrine of fa.' Gods. Know Nottingham presents us issues Y, l consistent with the true principles of repuoa canism-intolerant in regard to religion, p' scriptive as to adopted citizens and subyeH'' of social order. may be permitted to n2f' that those who claim identity of princq" with our republican fathers will look well to!.' subject before yielding to the embraces of ms called Americanism, however seductive lA5. may be; but give to the question dispas'Snl' and impartial Investigation and haveu t'' as to what they will do, being fully sat''. that "Error is impotent if Truth is left free combat it."
 The time is rapidly approaching when U. citizens of our State will be called upon exempiiy their faith at the ballot-box. OoI
 batting error in whatever form it may pTe''. itself, l trust none will be missing, but nun on at his post, striving who shall work ms ZeaIously to advance the cause of dem0cIa!