Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-04-18

scattering the seeds of sectional strife and soeial nm
| archy.
When Gen. Jackson came into the Presidency he
acknowledged in his inaugural address the obi,,aiim
oi The Executive to restrain the patronage of In,
feoerai government, so that it should not be
0roueh' INTO conflict with the freedom of elections
n"t 'oueIh democracy stands in direct au!agunsn
10 ths obligation. There scarcely an election pre-
chct IN The United States which has not Witnessed
the most shameful interference with elections by the
agents oi the Federal Government acting in the name
oi Democracy.
In former times when parties were created by pa
trlolie and national sentiments, upon measures Of
general interest to the whole country, we never
heard that measure could be declared Democratic
IN one place, and not Democratic in another by lead
| ms men protesting TO belong to this party Yet we
sec this enornity exhibited daily by the party press
in the pay of the present Executive. The necessary
result of such corruption, il n successfully opposed
mast be to destroy all political morality, and to con-
tinue power IN unHithiul and incompetent hands by
the mere Influence of the money derived iruu the
taxes which are paid by tlaspeope for lar different
purposes. 1t is undennble that the autag0nism now
prevailing between the North aud the South il main
ly attributable to the political artice which has Ell.
abled men holding directly Opposite opinions on the
power OF Congress over the Institution of slavery in
the Territories, but yet protesting to belong 10 the
came Democratic party. The Nebraska Kansas act
Is constantly called by one portion of the Democrats
law which will prevent the extension OF slavery 10
the Territories and by another portion Il law which
will enable the South carry slavery the Terrific
rle5. BY the same iaacy, secession, nulliticntun,
abolition and all other have found shelter un-
der the flag of Democracy explained as it is by mo.
dern interpreters.
In former times, aso best patriots without dis
nctlon of party, spoke of the necessity of guarding
the ballot box from the dangers OF foreign influence,
and OF keeping separate the Church and State and
OF the advantage to be derived from Il frequent re-
currence 10 the earlier advice OF our fathers which in
culcated reverence for the compacts of the Cons-
futon, and the abstinence from whatever tended TO
form Geographical parties or array one section of
the Union against another Now, however, the whole
power Of the Federal Government broug TO bear
against any individual who has the independence TO
declare his attachment TO those old fashioned sent
mens. Whole classes OF men stand prescribed and
ostraclsed Tor no other offence than that of Joining
association which seeks on To correct the Of
party SPIRIT and To Restore the government TO the pu
ry It possessed when We received it from the hands
ot those sages who founded and reformed it,
Looking gentlemen, upon the American party
destined TO eradicate the evils to which have thus
briefly adverted, proud 10 be called one ol lis
members, and can only regret that, in selecting its
flag bearers the choice for the vice President had
not fallen upon one who could bring to The cause high
guarantees for its than eau be drawn from
the humble services have heretofore rendered my
country.
Thanking yOu again for tho kind manner in which
You have expressed your personal qualification at the
nominations.
| subscribe myself, very respectfully,
Your obedeni servant,
A. j. DONELSON.
To Messrs. Alex. II. II. Stuart of Virginia: Andrew
Stewart of Pennsvlvania Eras,us Brooks of New
York; T.. B. Bartlett Of Kentucky; VIM. j. Eames
of Massachusetts,; Ephlam Marsh of New jersey.