The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-07-18

would 60 over to Mr. buchanan, who was
their real choice. Virginia, Louisiana and
Maryland voted for Mr. Buchanan, from the
first. Mr.. Buchanan moreover, may al
most be considered as the first choice of
the Democracy, not only Of |,..ynia, Lou
isiana, Tennessee and Maryland, but
also Of North Carolina, Alabama and
Mississippi, making seven out of the
fourteen slave States. For tho three
States last named in the Convention of
1852, which nominated Mr.. Fierce; decar-
cd Mr.. Buchanan 10 bc their first cloice;
and one or more OF them voted forhim to
the Goth ballot.-Whcrc is the evidence of
his being less sound now than then? Even
those who have assailcd Democracy at all
times, and who now Object most strenuouslv
TO Mr.. buchanan, have to go far back into
The past, and cxhume muSty records to find
any thing like scmblancc Of unsoundncss
on the slavery question. In the nomina-
ton of MIR. buchanan over President Pierce
| there Is certainly some encouragement given
to Il portion OF the Democratic party. in
| tllat 1t shows VIC need not dread so much.
aS some OF lis have heretofore dreaded, the
absorbing and ccntr;,lizin@ influence of the
Executive power welded through It's pat
ronag". In this respect the nomination OF
Mr. buchanan speaks volumes in behalf of
The pcrmancncv of the Republic OF its con-
!cdcratc and State rights basis.
as between Mr.. buchanan ana Mr.. Doug
las there existed all the a,lvcntitious circum-
STANCES, and 10 nearly the same degree, ms
between Mr.. buchanan and President
'iercc. In addition, it was urged bv the
friends Of Mr.. buchanan (anI with some
truth, 1t must be concssc'l) that Mr.. Doug
las WAS young enough TO wait until another
election while some Of Mr.. Douglas
|! warmcst admirers thought that four years
would give IN increased experience that
would not he without lis advantages even
to one so distinguished rs Senator Douglas
Tor his giant intellect Again had Mr..
Douglas received the nomination, the party.
INC Sonth. the country, would have lost the
labors of his brilliant talents in the y;nlico.
t'"n Of the principles OF the party. And.
alicr all there arc many n"n more plrticu
lar as to nancs than tllngs--mcn tl::.n prin-
clples-and who when once convinced, are
perfectly willing 10 march unlcr new
banner, provided it b" not borne Lv the one
under whose leadership they lave been
forced 10 surrender. There are no doubt
thousands of Northern people who, from the
thorough discussion Of constitutional prin
cipies by Senator Douelas ana others, in
the Senate and elsewhere, would willingly
give in their adhesion to those principles.
provided they bc not required TO surrender
to one against whom they were so recently
cmLiltcrcd. These who expect TO find in
reality the fablel Utopia may snccr at such
a consideration rs sacrifice of 7'rincipic to
'oraiiaJiLity," but let it be called what it
may, the fact cannot be controycrcd. Those
who would govern human nature must look
10 the characteristics of that nature, and, rs
lar ms possible, control them TO the purposes
OF good. 1t ought TO be remembered, too,
that t,e union Of PRESIDENT picrcc's and
MIR. douglas friends upon Mr.. buchanan,
instead Of cndcavoring to start some "ncw
man." was bringing back the party to its
earlier usages, when the ,onors Of the coun-
try were awarded 10 those who had carmel
them by long and laborious services. How
ever much VIC may admire the administra-
tions Of President Polk anil Pierce, it can
not be denied that the taking up "ncw men,
in order to unite the party, thereby distrib-
uting the highest honors OF the country by
a"plan savoring more Of chance than merit,
not only contributed to lessen the respccta-
blty of our Government in the eyes Of for
cign powers, bnt was calculated to exercise
a most delctcrious influence upon our pub
lie servants, and might have proved source
Of national decline.
But all doubt rs TO the soundncss of the
Democratic party and their nominee van
islics the moment we turn to the proceed
ings of the Convention. There we find
resolutions, unanimously adopted, endors-
ing the administration of President Pierce,
aud plcdging the Democratic party to the
maintainancc of the rights Of the South,
which latter resolutions have been formally
and unqualifiedly endorsed by Mr.. Buchan-
an. And ir relation to the unnniinity with
which these resolutions were adopted, it is
outright should say, that though l went
there, convinced, in thoSmain, of tf,e sound
ness of the party, in reference to our pecu-
liar institutions,I was nevertheless agrcea.
IDLY surprised to fird that among the dele
gates, from all quarters Of the. North, Sone
Of the prominent ideas WAS that Black Re,
pu6licanisgs ~as,sust bstSpat do,uia, mud poace
given to thecountry, by the profession and,
enforcement ofetho Constitutional rights Of
every section. took particular pains to
ascertain the informal opinions of the
Northern Democracy z [ went, from a
sense of dnty, every night during the sitting
of tue Convention, TO the., mass meetings OF
the Democracy Of Cincinnati. I wanted; to
| sea Wliat kind of snaechcs weya ,,,aHa hcfcro