Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-05-13
The Democratic Platform

We have been accustomed to hear much Of the
unity Of the democratic party and the importance
Of national party creed. The most confident
assurances are given in advance 81 the satisfao
tsry character of the nominations and the plat
form. to be promulgated by the Cincinnati con
ven,ier. A little reflection on the circumstan-
ces by which the democratic party finds itself
surrounded will enable Us 10 form an idea Of the
real value of auy declaration of principles which
that convention may make. We confidently As.
sert that the convention adopt 40 platform, IN
advance of nomination. embodying a deelara
ton of sentiment on all public questions now IN
issue. and find any prominen, democrat whose
po.i,ion and precedents viii square with the re.
ouiremenis Of such platform. To avoid this they
will resort to the dodge Of FRI, nominating can
didste and then building platform to suit him
pu,,is,g in plank here and taking out another
there--,rimming of this end ard splicing oni
tbat-brscing and patching and shaping 10 suit
the proportions Of HIN who is to stand on II. The
platform will not be exposition Of the senii-
ments Of party-bpt temporary structure
suited Ia the exigency. aud oontrivrd 10 impose
on such as are willing TO b. deceived. Suppose,
nsminate Mr. Hunter. then il will have 10 take
from the platform Of 80 It's Compromise plank
aud it, Pebble Lands plark. suppose II should
nominate Mr. Buchanan II will be obliged TO re-
shape lis Tariff plank, insert another Oh the sub.
i,c, of the Pacific railroad, withhold the eurin.
mary dcnonoiation Of the old Federal party mud
be exceedingly wary about Slavery. suppose II
should nominate Douglas, 1t will have TO sqnint
at Squaiier Sovereignty recognize Walker aud
Nicaragua, justify appropriations by the federal
government, TO works of Internal Improvement
discard every principle of conservatism and
borra for Young America and Progressive De.
mocracy. suppose il should nominate Pieiee.
il will have to ignore Nicaragua. be silent about
Cuba, rnd wink at a Protective Tariff recon-.
mended by his Secretary Of the Treasury aud
a Pacific Railroad advocated by his Secretary If
War. suppose it should nominate Dickinson.
il will be forbidden to endorse the a1ministrn.
ton Of Pierce. and If Il nominate Wise, il
cannot say word in praise Of old Jacksonan De-
mocracy So thai the form and substance Of The
democratic national platform depends altogether
upon the nomination that chance or intiigu
necessity may bring forth from the convention.
OF what value will such product be n chart
Of governmental principles. Should intelligent
and thinking people be willing to tru,t the great
and enduring interests of this couicderacy To
party whose ruling motive is expedoncy md
whose most marked characteristic is change
The principles If government ought to be fixed
and immutable. The politician may change;
masses of men may be- for time swayed by
caprice swerved by interest but Truth aud
Right are immutable as the sun and endless as tho
ages Government has its philosophy, its fixed
fact. its unerring rules Of right n we'll NOR.
ais and in neither do they ever chungc. A par
ty that disrfgards these, and follows after the
false lights Of temporary expediency and acct
dental availability is not party that can be safe
ly trusted. The ship Of state must be navigated
by the star that never changes and the compass
that never deviates, or she will be constantly in
danger Of the hidden rock and the destroying
whirlpool.