Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-02-16
U BLACK LINES.

OUR BLACK LINES.
The black lines of mourning which surroun-
ded an article in our journal last week, because
of the supremacy of a PRINCIPLE detrimental
to the peace of the country and antagonistical
to a prominent feature of the Constitution, ra~
Their surprised some of our friends, as it was
unexpected, as well as stock aback" some who
differ with us in political matters. Although
the former at least expected nothing else than
opposition on our part, as of other Southern
Journals, to the elevation of a mar to an office
only three removes from the Presidency, who
was the acknowledged ~favorite of the Abolition
pack in and out of the Capitol, yet they thought
probably, that inasmuch as his election had
made palpable one grand point calculated to
make the American heart beat with high exul~
tation, that we should consequently have been
less positive in our expressions, or less SOrroaD-
fMt in our manifestations. This merely shows
the different degrees of feeling upon the same
subject between different temperaments, ala
though in the main they substantially Rgree--
nothing more. Our friends, though regretting
as much as ourself, the exaltation of a man
who could give expression to sentiments which
Mr.. BANKS has credit for, did not at the no.
ment when the news of his success was her
aided, overlook as we did the fact which that
success has registered in "black and white"
the preexistence of which has been proclaimed
for the last eighteen months by the ablest jour>
nails and shrewdest politicians of the day--a
fac. breathing great hopes to the American
party, for the ultimate supremacy of that 9th
er, yet noble and natural, PRINCIPLE, that same
ricans shall rule America" That fact, as es-
tabIished by the election of the Democratic
X. N.-Aboiition ex-Speaker of the Massachu>
sets House of Representatives to a similar
position in heNational House of Representa-
tives, is, that The Star of Democracy, so long
dimmed by foul wrongs and beinous offences,
is about to setin the darkest night! The ear
y Reorganization Of the Democratic party is
too palpable for mistake. A few more deaths
throes and all will be over. It's writings and
its struggles in the Speakership contest--its
bullying in the first case andits %servility in the
last, as evidenced by its suppiications to the
Southern wing of the American p~arty--is too
plain a veriication of that assertion TO be de.
MED. With the reign of q sixth r~atexlnan as
President, the flag Of modern Democracy will
trail ia the dust! But let us return to BANKS.
"Good out of eVil" is a saying. that has been
verified before to-day. And upon reflection,
we are constrained to believe that in more ways
than one will good grow out of the election of
Mr.. BANKS, if, as it is suFmised, he disappoints
the sAbolition pack" who were so 'useful and
ornamental in helping him to the chair he oc-
cupies-GREELT doing the ornamental part out
Of doors, while similar spirits did the useful
inside. That disappointment Is prediCated ups
on the following speech which the new Speak.
err delivered upon his ascending the rOstrum
and placing himself beneath the broad wings
Of the American Eagle:
Gentlemen d be House Of Representatives:
Before I proceed to complete my acceptance
of the office to which I am elected, / avail nv
self of your indulgence to express my aeknow-
Judgments for the distinguished honor confer-
red upon me.
Ii would afford me far greater pleasure, in
taking the chair of the House, were | sups
ported even by the selF-assuraBee that | could
bring to the discharge of It's duties, always
delicate and arduons, and now enyiF0ned with
unusual difficulties any capacity eomFnenN
surate with their responsibility and dignity. /
can only say that, in so far as am able, | shall
discharge the obligations resting upon me with
fidelity to the constitution, and with impartial.
ty as it regards the rights of members of the
House. have no personal objects to accomA
plish. | am animated BY the single desire that
| may aid Ia some degree 10 maintaining the
well established principles of our government
10 their original and American Specification: IN
the development Of the material interests Of
that portion OF the continent we occupy, so far
as we may do withinthe limited and legitimate
powers conferred upon Us; in charging and
swelling the capacity of our government for
beneficent Influences at home and abroad: and.
above all, in preserving intact and in perpetuity
the priceless privileges transmitted to us.
am, of course, aware that Of my own
strength ! cannot hope to be equal to the per-
feet execution Of the duties / now assume. ]
am, therefore, as every man must be who stands
in such presence, d supplieant for your CO.
operation and indulgence; and, accepting your
honors with this deelaratioa, 1 again offer You
my thanks.
/