Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-18
NORTHERN DEMOCRATS.

There are indications OF extraVegant demands upon
the Northern members of the Democratic party
Fur Them to think and feel relative to Southern insti.
tutiors 90 the people of the South do, is quite out Of
the question, but before cooperating with them as u
party We have a right to ask them to concede to us
all our constitutional franchises and all the rights
which an equitable construction of the Constitution
mus, secure to Us. Have they refused this conces
.I,D1 If they have, 1t is because the principles Of the
Democratic party are not set forth in the Cincinnati
platform, notoriously the work of Southern states
men. and especially designed as a guarantee of South
ern rights. Northern Democrats stand on that plat.
form. They assumed their position on it freely and
without remonsirance or hesitation. They labored,
voted, fought for candidates who endorsed it fully and
cordially. They bore aggression, abuse, social perse'
cution, and coutumely from their Black Republican
and Know. Nothing neighbors, because they adhered
10 the sound and catholic doctrine proclaimed by the
Convention of June, 1856. They were on the plat.
form when they helped to win the glorious victory
over Fremont. They were on it in their subsequen,
elections when they attained u Democratic majority
In the Northern States. They are on 1t now. We
zoo no signs of a disposition on their part to leave it.
Gao We reasonably ask more1 Have we any demands
10 make Of them beyond what they have already
conceded.
The Black Republicans claim for Congress the
right TO dictate to q Territory on the subject Of slave-
~. The Cincinnati platform denies any such right
and Northern Democrats adhere to the platform now
q, they did a year ago. Why then should there be q
quarrel between them and the Democrats of the
Southf
The people of the South claim the right to settle In
the public Territories with their slaves; Northern De.
mocrais acknowledge the right. The people of the
South want all the world outside their own borders to
10, their Institutions alone; the Democrats Of the
North, by their speeches, their resolutions, their plat.
forms and their votes say the South 10 right in her de-
uauds. When Black Republicans have been insult.
ing. aggressive and defiant, Northern Democrats have
rebuked them; when the Sewardites have shown a
design to trampie on our chartered rights. Northern
Democratic have held the Federal Constitution up to
their gaze and pointed out its provisions, Its prinol.
ples and is pledges. They have proved themselves
to be worthy members Of the only constitutional and
che only true American party. They have fully and
freely recognised the fact that no valid or valuable
union can exist among the sovereign nations which
oousti's ocr federal system, unless all shall be willing
TO grant 70 every other lite constitutional rights. The
South. through the Democratic platform, has appeal.
cd to the North TO b let alone 10 her institutions aud
her rishts. Northern Democrats have seconded and
endorsed the appeal. Meeting With u at Cincinnati,
they gave a formal declaration Of principles and a
sclemn pledge Of fidelity as long a. they adhere to
these no moro can be demanded Of them.