Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-12-04

R There is or there ought to be such thing the
settlement Of questions of party policy and party prnc
pie. Without such fxty and settlement, there would
no chart of political action no raying point of opinion
no continuity of parties. The Democratic party prides
ITSELF and justly upon its consistent position, its devo
ton to principle.
What constitutes a settlement of any question of
Democratic principle and policy? Is the authority or
pSe dT of this that man, is it the general consent
of the party and the authoritative expression of its opn
ion expressed by the highest judcatures known to its
organization? Is the doctrine of the Democracy Of
North Carolina upon any point, that which any single
individual any number of individuals may desire to
interpoate is it the solemn and repeatedly avowed
sentiment Of the party through its representatives in
Convention assembled? Surely there can be but one
answer to this question.
Now let us apply this plain rule to the question of
distribution. Few questions have, within our expe
rience frequently before the Democracy of
North Carolina than this and upon none has its decision
been uniform, more emphatic or more frequently
given If the action of the party amounts to anything
then, this is longer open question IN the party
whatever may be out of it. If the decision of
ganzaOn solemnly made is rule for that organization
and its members then the Democracy of North Carolina
is opposed the distribution of the public lands their
products and all advocates of such are @
opposed to the Democracy and their arguments, ON that
point in opposition to the fixed rule and principle of
the Democratic party And reference to the persist
ent and decided action Of the Democracy in national
Conventions assembled shows that North Carolina is
no exception to the rule and usuage of the party And
let it be remarked in addition that the decision of the
North Carolina Democracy is neither obsolete, nor
made without knowledge of all the facts, prior to
the occurrence of any events circumstances which
may now be urged as bearing upon the question Why
then should the party be disturbed now? Why should
its solemn decisions be called in question: why should its
harmony be broken?
So far have not considered the question upon any
of its abstract merits or dement's, but simply in it's
bearing upon the Democratic party in its relations to its
own members In referring to the question of distrbl-
ton hereafter shall feel called upon to treat its ad
vocates, as opposed to the Democracy so far that
question IS concerned however much they may agree
with it upon other points 1t is possible that this ques
ton may form the issue in this State between the Dem
ocracy and its opponents; there then, exist ques
ton in regard to the proprety and necessity of knowing
how and where we all stand. We would wish to be
courteous to ALL We would not call any in question
farther than their position and avowals may place
them in questionable position. AntDistrbution is
not all of Democracy, any than single bastiOn
is all of fortress. But it is part essential to the
entirety and safety of the whole; and attacking
foe may direct his blows at sing point of beleagu-
cred city, calling for the concentration of the means of
defence on that point the opponents of Democracy
shift their grounds at each campaign and select at each
different time different and isolated point of Dem
ocratic policy against which to aim the fire of their
batteries For the time being, the issue is made upon
the point to which have referred and the lines drawn
with reference to it. The point to be attacked now is
the opposition of the Democratic party to distribution
The attack calls for the defence.
The question has been asked of the Democracy what
they are to do with the Old Line higs who patriot
cay waived old preudices and to tho assistance
of the Democrats in the contest of 1857? Now, WI
understand the matter these gentlemen took passage
the Democratic ship believing it to be the only tha
could outrde the storm of political and sectional anat
csm. They did not pretend to say that they liked al
her rig and trimmings but they thought her hull wa
staunch and they found it They took the old shil
as they found her, and made stipuations that sh
should be altered to suit their convenience their
lions. Surey until they find better one they will no
risk the injury ruin Of the vessel because of something
that don't exactly suit their pre-conceved notions
Dropping all figures of speech-many eminent gen
temen of the old Wing party joined the Democracy
the best they could do. It is still the best and it re
mains with them to say whether they will continue t
support it not. Whatever else may change, the De
r mocracy will not. It is no part of the bond.