Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-09-26
From the Washington Union.
THE PEOPLES INQUIRY.

THE PEOPLES INQUIRY.
AT this advanced stage of the ?resi-
dent!al campaign, we would ask the peo-
pie to pause for moment and inquire
what has the "blaek republican" party
done for the country to promote its honor,
to advance its prosperity, to secure its
harmony, to strengthen the constitution,
to cement the Union, or add to the great
sum of human happiness? Ask what
was the condition of the country, in all
these respects, when this newborn po-
litical party first assumed its organiza-
ton? Ask what are the distinctive prin-
ciples of this party, and what their bear
ing upon our government? Ask if this
party is national or sectional? Ask if it
pledges fealty to the constitution and f.
deity to its guarantees? Ask if it is
not built upon the arbitrary enforcement
of negro emancipation, in defiance Of the
covenants of the constitution Ask if
this is not higher consideration with
them than the permanency of the Union :?
Ask, if they succeed in this, if it will
better the condition of three millions of
black people, turned loose upon the coun-
try, without organization, or with it /;
and without habits or intelligence to fit
them for their new sphere Ask where
are they to go, and what are they to do ?
Ask If they must not necessarily have to
rely upon their own narrow and preca-
rious resources for support ? Ask if they
could hope to compete successfully with
the white population-so much larger
and governed by intelligence and habits
that insure their success? Ask, in tn,
exent of their inability to sustain them
selves, what is to become of them p
Who is to support them? Ask, if the,
should be driven by dire necessity to es
cape from starvation, would they not b.
driven by the great irresistible laws o
Nature to the commission of any act o
lawless violence? Ask if the moral ton,
and social condition of society would b,
improved by these three millions O
blacks, roaming and shouting freedom,
in its phrensy and RIGHTEOUSNESS, through
out the land? Ask it, in the event OF
failure in this perilous scheme of philan-
thropy, or politics, what would be the
condition of the twenty millions of white
people who would have to meet it in all
its forms Of danger? Ask in what con-
ceivable and probable result could it bet
ter their condition? Ask if it is not
better, upon every principle that bears
upon the social, moral, political, relig-
ious, and national character of our peo-
pie, that the vast sum of unexampled
happiness which twenty odd millions of
the white people now enjoy, should be
left to their undisturbed possession rather
than to stake all upon the predetermined
result of ameiorating the condition of
three millions of blacks, or Cor the de-
fence of an abstract proposition? Ask
if this black-republican crusade is to be
persevered in; and in the conflict Of di-
vided opinions, interests, and prejudices,
it should result in broken Union and
civil war, would not the condition of all,
whites and blacks, be irretrievably ru-
ined? Ask if there is not danger of this
from the great excitement which this
political movement has produced and is
cxerting upon the country? Ask if the
country was not tranquil and blessed with
everything that could make a nation
happy, before this prolific scheme of
mischief and ruin had party organiza-
ton? Ask, then, why should we de-
part from the policy that has been OBJ
served since the adoption of the consti-
tuition, under every administration, and
which has made us all that we are, and
all that we hope for? This whole matter
is so plain that it is within the compre-
hension Of every capacity, and the course
of duty is not less clear.
The true issue is between the people,
their government, their interests, and
happiness, and the wicked reckless de-
signs Of corrupt political party, strug-
Cling for the flesh pots.
Without the assent of the people and
their help, this Uach and dangerous
party will be impotent for mischief The
stern common sense and virtue of the
people, who have in this matter every
thing at stake, will never commit the
monstrous folly Of decreeing their own
national ruin.