The true Democrat., 1856-01-29
Democratic Testimony!

 of its intrinsic merit, as on account of the man. ner in which it is presented to the Arkansas public. It from the Charleston Mercury and is presented by the Gazette as democratic testl- mony against the soundness of the democratic party. The article in question Is an expression of the Mercury's belief that the northern de- mocrats are not all right upon the slavery ques- tion, and contains an argument why the people of South Carolina should not be represented in the National Democratic Convention, to be held next summer
 The Mercury's position in politics is ,0ell known, and the Gazette's quoting it as den.o- cratic authority, shows the 'Junior," who now has charge of the Gazette, in Doctor Borand's absence, to be shamefully ignorant, or guilty of wilful misrepresentation. The Mercury is not party paper, and does not claim to belong to the democratic organization. It, therefore, can not be quoted against the democratic party as democratic authority.
 The Charleston Mercury is the representative of the ultra southern feeling and, as such, op- poses euery party organization in the Union, as not being sound upon the slavery question-as not going as far as it does. For this reason it opposes the representation of the people of South Carolina, in the National Democratic Conven- tion. In this, its course is consistent It has always urged the people of South Carolina to hold aloof from all party organization, and to rely solely upon themselves for protection against aorthern fanaticsm. The wisdom of Were all the southern States, or even large portion of them, to pursue such course a dis solution of the Union would inevitably soon fol- low But what we have to do with now, is the Gazette's presentation of the Mercury as demo- cratic authority.
 The Mercury, in 1848 and in 1852, pursued the same course towards the democratic party that it is now pursuing, and, strange to say, the editors of the Gazette did not then deem its authority sufficient to justify their abandonment of the democratic party. They remained with the democracy for years afterwards, and even accepted office at their hands, notwithstanding the thunders of the Mercury. The truth is, the editors of the Gazette are wonderfully changed. Having now abandoned the democratic party, and sold themselves and their principles, to the Know Nothings, they quote, as excellent and reliable, authority which, but short while back, they deemed unworthy of notice. The Mercu- ry has always opposed the representation of the noorla If Soutb (Norolipo +bo .;o tional conventions, and yet, after the actions oi those conventions, it has always, we believe supported the democratic nominees. It oppos- ed the representation of the State in the Balti- more Convention, of 1840, and carried its point South Carolina sent no delegates, and yet South Carolina voted for the democratic nomi- nee. Again, it opposed the sending of dele. gates to the Baltimore Convention of 1852, and no delegates were sent. Yet South Carolina voted for Gen. Pierce, and that too, with the appreciation of the Mercury, as the soundest man upon the slavery question in the field.
 So it will be in the approaching national de mocratic convention. South Carolina will not be represented, but she will, as she has ale0ays heretotore done support and vote for the demo- cratic candidate. The course of the Mercury and the people of South Carolina, towards the democratic party instead of being matter oi reproach, is in the highest degree compliment ary to the democracy. While they have always declined going into the democratic or ganization--declined to take seats in the demo- cratic conventions demanded TO favors - asked none of the government patronage, they have aIaoay, supported and voted for the demo- cratic nominees. There is not an instance or record of South Carolina having voted other wise than democratic, and we suppose she will hardly vote otherwise now, since the disband- ing and breaking up of the few Know Nothing councils and lodges that were organized in her limits.
 In regard to the Gazette's ignorant or wlfuI misrepresentation of the Mercury as democratic authority, we have a case in point. Mir. KEIrT member of Congress from South Carolina, was quoted by Know Notlting member, as demo- cratic authority against the democratic party, in the same manner that the Gazette here quoted the Mercury. Mr. KEITT is of the Mercury school, and not belonging to the democratic party, he indignantly repelled the attempt tc use him as democratic authority, and, in doing SO, paid high tribute to the excellency of the democratic party We quote the following short passage from his speech, as reported in the Congressional Globe:
 "Irepeat then, sir, that I cannot be quoted, as a member of the democratic party, to show want of harmony in its ranks, as l am not strictly i'll its organization. 1 will say, how ever, that have hitherto supported it upon this foor and expect to continue to do so. have given 1t my support, and shall continue to give it my support because it approaches much nearer to the true policy of the country and the principles of the constitution than any other organized party in the republic. is the only party which, ill circling round its mighty orbit, touches the poles Of the constitution"
 Was there ever any thing more in point? MT. KEITT is of the class of politicians to which the Mercury belongs. He is opposel to So1th Caroinians giving into any party organi- zation. He did not even go into the demo- cratic caucus which nominated VIM. A. RICH ARDsoN, as the democratic candidate for Speaker of the House, though he has from the first voted for him. Not belonging to the demo- cratic party, he would not suffer himself to be quoted as democratic authority against that party-as much as he had said against it, and, in his speech at Barnwell court house, he had, like the Mercury, said much.
 But as much as Mir. KEITr had denounced the democratic party, he declared, in his speech in Congress- that he had giUen this support, and soouM continue to give tt his support, (see the above extract of his speech,) because It IS ht ONLY party 'chtch, tn circliny around its mighty