The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-02-03
VOLUME S.
! NUMBER 81.


teran troops. They passed by the brave
De Kalb, who, on the disastruous field of
Clmden, where one-third of the regulars
of the continental army lay dead around
him, pronounced in his dying hour those
memorable words of confidence in the prin-
ciples for which they were contending, tho
repetition of which ought to cover with
shame the face of every know nothing in
the land-"I die'' said he, "the death of a
soldier fighting for the rights cf Man.
The toll and suffering and efforts of Mont
gomery, the Irishman, Cf st. Clair and
Mercer, the Scotchmen. of Gates and Con-
way, the Englishmep, of Pulaski and Kos
ciusco, the Poles, and their brave German,
| Irish, French. Scotch, and English osso-
ciates, were regarded only as events ofolden
times. In their crusade againt adopted
citizens, it did not occur to them that be-
meath the soil of every battlefield in our
land the bones offoreigners are now crumb-
ling back to dust, mingled with those of our
countrymen, each of whom fell in the mu-
tual defence of our national rights and our
national honor.
In their appeal to religious prejudices,
they did not consider that religious bigotry
and intolerance had dotted the earth all
over with blood, and piled the martyrs
ashes worldwide round the stake. And
little, indeed, did they dream, in their
brief hour of pride and anticipated power,
of the hasty reaction soon to follow the
unhealthy excitement which they had thus
wrongfully produced.
Sober judgment has looked that whole
proceeding calmly and fairly in the face
and now the scattered brotherhood are only
found in the abolition camp, gloating over
the bloody triumph obtained in but single
State.
Next sprung up the practicable appli-
cation ofthe doctrine Unpopular sovereignty
in the Territories, claiming no more nor
less than that the people who settle a Terri
tory shall have the right to determine for
themselves rs to their own domestic affairs.
Up rose at once the whole host of demo-
cratic opponents, and denounced it as an
infamous, border ruffian, STAKEHOLDER scheme
and they rejoiced that the principle was
one of the issues in the presidential elec-
ton, as upon it no democrat could by pos
sibility stand. A little time has run upon
this exciting subject, a majority of the free
men of the country have fully sustained it,
and further time for cool reflection will
place this denounced principle in the his
torical record, along with the others so
severely fought, and in the end SO univer-
sally conceded to be correct.
Thus, we see the old, tried democracy
marching along, and successfully applying
the principles of our faith to our expanding
and increasing country, and prostrating in
its its way. by the mere force of reason and
patriotism, the guerilla bands which here
and there assail them.
Confidence in the integrity and intelli-
gcnce of the people is elementary in the
democratic creed. Unsound alarms may
jostle and disturb them, falsehood may
lead them astray, and canting hypocrites
may for time unsettie their faith, yet the
true democrat will march on, holding still
higher the guiding light of the constitution,
in the confident faith of the efficient force
of truth and calm reflection.
The faith of democrats has no analogy
in the hearts Of our opponents. Their
trust is in expedients, and their own selfish
personal schemes and appeals.
Ponder the late declaration Of one Of
their leading New England journals. when
it was made evident that the true men of
Pennsylvania had triumphed. "There has
been altogether too much reliance upon
Divine Providence, and too little upon the
documents and canvassing lists" was the
extraordinary excuse of that leader of black
republicanism.
New England rejecting Providence But
for the guiding hand of Providence, New
England now would be waste and howl
ing wilderness. Fancy, if you will, the old
ship Mayfower pIoughing through the an
cry surges of the sea, freighted with those
who were to give an impetus to New En-
gland which famine, disease, sterile soil,
and severe climate could not impede. She
was not bound to Plymouth Bay; moro
genial climate was her destined port, which
had she reached, New England wilds would
now cover the scenes of New England
pride. But that same power so recently
despised, changed her onward course, and
safely moored her in the rock bound har-
bour of Plymouth Bay. On her shattered
deck stood those who, under the guiding
hand of Providence, were to lay the foun-
dation of that morality, industry, frugality,
and perseverance which have made New
England what she is.
1t is a marvel they remained here. ma
tives Of milder skies, and bent for more
southern cline; yet some unseen power
held them to our coast, and sustained them
in their hours Of sad dependency. Before
them were the frowning forest savage
tribes, dread uncertainty. and the gloom Of
a New England winter. But they faltered
not; cheered and sustained by the same
kind Power which brought them hither.
they resolved to persevere, and
"Amidst the storm the Pilgrams sang,
And the stars heard. and the sea,
And ths sounding aisles ofthe dim woods rang
With the anthem of the free"
Let us then, as men and politicians, fol-
low that marked example, and trusting in
the guiding influence of Providence, and
our own faith in the ultimate success Of
truth, renewedly resolve to continue I'M