The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-07-05
THE DUTY OF DEMOCRACY.

whose peerless charms he was ready TO break lance
with the word--thc conservative yirginian that
chung to the traditions of the elder days of the Re-.
public, and dreaded modern innovations--the pro-
gressive Louisiana, who believed in destiny and tho
annexation of Cuba-the careful Yankee who had
an eye single to the main chance and the manufac.
turing interest and the gallant men of the West who
came resolved If the South and North in their folly
sought to dissolve the Union, that they would have
voice In the matter, and would teach both il was
beyond their power, and that which God and nature
had Joined, no man should sunder. Yet men repre-
senting every shade ofopinion and interest, met in
friendly consultation and after mature deliberations
published creed that every one subscribed, and
which the nation can safely adopt. They met under
gloomy augures with ill-concealed hopes of oppo.
nents, that their mission might failwith the know.
ledge that all other parties in seeking national
faith, had been rent in fragments The failure of
Others was their bond of union for they knew them
selves the last hope of their country to save il from
civil discussion, and perhaps civil war. The meet.
ing OF party became sanctifed as the Congress of
the nation for they dared not prove recrcant to the
trust OF the people, and they felt their principles
enumerated must be so national that every patriot
could approve. Their labor disappointed their oppo.
nents aud more than realized the wish of the country
Harmony and Cancellation regncd, and the very
men selected as standard bearers gave that
they felt the magnitude of the crisis, and the neccs
sity OF selecting men whose whole past was ample
guarantee that the Constitution in its purity would
be their guide, and that no false lights could ever
lead them astray. We have presented candidates
and platform that even carpng criticism darcs no,
hint doubt at, and is constrained to praise.
The unanimity aud enthusiasm of the Convention
is ominous Of the result next November. The zen.
eral applause that has welcomed It, show the porua,
ratification.
All concede the inevitable success of our ticket
We have but one foe to contend against and that il
over confidence. When the preservation of the Union
is at stake, our victory cannot be too complete our
efforts cannot be too great. A partial victory now
is worse than defeat. The Abolionists in 1850 were
only half defeated; now they must be so routed that
they Will never dare hazard second battle The
only question that will enter this contest is whctlc,
one portion Of the Union shall invade and DESTROY
the rights of the other? Whether slavery shall be
kept out of the public territory by unlawful State
| combinations
The Aboitionsts professcd their readiness TO meet
us, and we have thrown down the gauntlet We
contend for principle, that il adopted will rcmov,
slavery from Congress, and heal sectional anmos
ties, and bring peace back to the country The Abo
ltionists know this, and hence their desperate strug
gle. Every day proves the Kansas Act will be tho
only question before the country and like Aaron
rod 1t will swallow up all Others The political eIe
ments are resolving themselves into two parties
| the Democracy and Abolitionism. There can be
there Will be no tTtium 7'da, no third party compos
ed of national men and Aboltionsts The Adolf
ton Know Nohngs swell the ranks of the Black
Republicans while the national ones will throw theil
votes away on Fillmore, and each vote so cast will
IN fact be vote for the Black Republicans thus b,
refinement of punishment making the South il
nominating Fillmore help the Abolitonists. L
Fillmore runs he will weaken the Democratic party
and strengthen the enemies of the South
The struggle then will be more arduous but the
victory none the less sure, for the Democratic party
when united on great principle have never beer
defeated Misrepresentation may conlure up imasn
airy cxils, but the people have ever found out the
truth of principle and approved it. In this wal
Of fanaticsm--this war against the Constitution
| go" WV i""H VI wv VIII Vi ptSSlOn ant
prejudice, we have nothing to fear We appeal /,
the calm, sober second thought of the people--t,
that abiding reverence for the Constitution that has
etor protected alike the rights of the weakest ant
the miehtcst-to that deep love ofthe Union, whiel
has bestowed many blessings and so much prosper
ity upon us-to that noble pride in the name of ar
American that will not suffer that name to pass ava,
forcvermorc We know the people and we know
that treason may rear its hideous front-fanaticsn
hiss Its poison at the Constution-the demagogu,
appeal to the passions and a storm of indignation
seem to PROSTATE in its wild march ali reverence To-
law--but the very moment they lay their parrcida
hands upon that Constitution, then the people rsin.
in their might will cast them out, scorn and bye
word forever.
change has come over the Northern people an.
they begin to understand the Kansas act, and tn
principle Of non-intewention by Congress. The
see it relieves them from all concern about slavery
and that is all they ever asled-not to be response
BILE for it in any shape. They will give this prncpl
a hearty support and agitation then will cease
Though the battle must be fought in the North tn
South has duty to perform, and when the very ez
stence of her institutions ia at stake she should be
unt--presenting united front to abolltlonisn
Her union will give strength to the Northern Demo
craCy in this struggle against her omen and conceo