Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-08-15
TILE rRI't. ISSUE.


Professional politicians may be determined in their
course by prudices Of party and motives Of person.
al ambition bu, the of the people are animated
in this momentous contest, by no other consideration
than patriotic for the honor and interests of
the country. The catch.words and issues Of party
engage comparatively little interest. The discipline
of party organizations controls but few votes. The
success of party u itself and without reference to
any ueror aim, an object OF very langud desire
and motive Of very feeble cxertion. The Presiden-
tal canvass of 1856 is in no just contest OF
parties for political power and patronage. 1t involves
Infinitely graver and more essential issues, and IN lis
result will accomplish far more important revolution
than mere change Of Administration or modification
Of party policy. Hence. the earnesness Of thought
the depth OF passion and the per, aiding unity OF in
terest which distinguish this in the States Of
the South.
In mere party struggle it is logical and proper to
appeal to the interests and passions Of party. But
in contest which involves the rights and security o
tn. South, in which political iosucs play very ss
nifcant part aud which confounds ancient distinc.
tons and amag amaes antagon;stio associations by
the irresistible power OF itS supree and unapproach
able interest i'll such contest the cIaptr"p ana So
phstres Of an ordinary canvass altogether irree-
want and ou, Of place. The people will spurn any
appeal to scuscless prejudice; will reject any argu'
ln-nt which is addressed to their conscience Gnd
their Judgment. The politician who travels about
with musty "documents" and discusses the obsolete
issues Of bygone age, will win credit tor research
and partizan zeal Al expense of his character for
candUr ard honesty of purpose. The stump speaker
who consumes his ''hour and exhausts his breath IN
IT,. attempt to convict opposing candidates OF Trivial
Inconsistencies and imnateris heresies, will simply
be voted bore for his trouble aud ingenuity. Inc
public mind is in too serious temper for such
oontemn,ible trjling. The people care little
for auv past thing which does no. bear immedl-
at.ly uoon present issues. One stern tyrannlc
thought bends all their energies to lie purpose How 10
protect the interests to defend the honor and 10 NAM
tain the rights o! the South, is the single question
which now presses with o"erpo"ering weight upeE
the people Of the South. AssaIled by forii.laa6le
orpanizaou which avows n deliberate parpose 10
innct every sor, Of wrong aud inG1aIty upon them,
they have now no other thGuEht or care than to op-
pose and repel the Hack Republican conspiracy
Every other consideration il subordinhted aud post
ronc IL The paramount necessity OF resisting ana de-
teating the attempt ~ impose ireeEoil dynasty anu
free soil policy upon the South. Until the South is
delivered from the peril which ovevshadows 1t, there
can BE- no thought of controversy about the .eSs VITAL
ISSUES of ,aIty. Al! minds are engaged III working
c ::s problem; al hearts are Intent Oh the de'eat oil
the coalition nainst lie Constitution ard the Cn'on'
With the na-s-. Of tho people the single inquiry IT,
how -L!aIl W. ae, 81 mos: certainly TO secure the
in,;.aeuiance aud liberties nj the South
E,r,una,.ly, events begin 10 Indicate the course
which tho southern patriot should pursue, with 90
,nnch ol.arness OF revelation, that ss there Is no ds
nosi,ion, 50 there can De excuse for mistake OF
duty. While Mr.. Fillmore was jono hd' a candidate
for the Presidency it natural thn; hs cd sSsoci
a.s should incline 10 support him au!' sinca 'he re-
s,lf of the elections in Mlsao.f Arkansas, Ain'alna
Kentucky and North Carolina, in. developed the IT.
re-istibe tendency oi popu!ar "pnlon and has fore
sI,ndnryei The inevitable triumph OF the Democratic
ro.,v N every Southern State it ia TOO much to ex.
uer, thu; my Southern man will throw away as vote
uu,n a fictitious candidate. The support OF Buc.
hanan nav be repuynan, to tbs pr-judicea of the
Southern Why and he IrRy De disposed to rcpi'ie nj
the success of hia q agon:sf but such unamiab'o
and urgensroas feelings will be overborne by higher
ur..is-s OF patriotic duty. Most cheerfully will he
offer the prcudces Of party as sacrifice 10 the safe
" Of tie South. Southern Wigs may claim that
Fillmore is as reliable friend OF the South As Bucha
nm, and may yet decline 10 support him because ot
the manifest mpossibiy oi his election. Assuming
at all Southern rneu animated by an equal de
,uon to the rights of the South, their conduct in
III. canvass will be determined by the practical con-
.ideraons oi probable success. The defeat OF Black
RepubHcausm is the grand aim Of every Southern
natriot Is Fillmore or Buchanan the more formida
be opponent of Fremont This Is the only issue be-
fore the people OF the South.