Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-03-26
Settlement of the Sectional issue.

Settlement of the Sectional Issue.
The democratic party, remarks the
Washington Union, is now enjoying its
greatest triumph-not merely that they
have elected their candidates and secur-
ed four more years of party ascendency
in the executive branch of the govern
ment, but that their victory has been
won on the most momentous issue that
ever divided the public mind, and that
their political triumph has been confirm
ed and endorsed by the highest judicial
tribunal known to the Constitution.
If the sectional question be not now
settled, then we may despair of the re-
public. We believe it is settled, and
that henceforth sectionalism will cease
to be a dangerous element in our politi-
cal contests. No issue was ever more
directly and squarely made than that on
which Mr.. Buchanan was elected. The
result was an unmistakable popular judg-
ment against sectionalism, and in favor
of a broad, conservative, constitutional
nationalism. The questions involved
in the canvass could not have been more
fairly and directly made and maintain
ed; and if the success of the Democrat
ic nominees did not settle those ques-
tons as fully as a popular decision could
settle any question, then it is idle to re-
ly on popular elections as tests of polit-
ical principles.
There was but one thing needed to
give to the result in the Presidential
contest the force of an absolute and final
settlement of the sectional issue. That
thing was the judgment of the Supreme
Court in confirmation of the Democratic
doctrines which had received the popu-
lar endorsement. The decision in the
bred Scott case has furnished the clos
ing and clinching confirmation needed,
and henceforth sectional fanaticism can
not maintain its warfare without array
ing itself distinctly against the Consti-
tuition. The people have decided that
sectional agitation must cease, and the
highest judicial authority has declared
that the people have decided in accord
ance with the Constitution.
Whoever now seems to revive section
aIism arrays himself against the Consti-
sutton, and, consequently, against the
Union. Of course, it is to be expected
that fanaticism will rave and clamor
against the decision of the Supreme
Count But fanaticism ceases to be a
for4a6dable enemy when it seeks to mea-
sure strength with the Union-loving
spirit Of the people, sustained and con-
frmea by the great arbiter of constitu-
tional questions. Fanaticism becomes
powerless against such a combination
and hence we may smile at the madness
with which the organs of black republi-
canism assail the late decision of the
Supreme Court. 1t is the last dying fit
Of fanatical sectionalism. 1t will have
the effect of fixing public attention upon
the wreckless w~ickedness which has
heretofore impelled the sectional agita-
tors to force the republic to the very
verge of disruption.
We feel, therefore, that the danger is
for the present over; that sectionalism
is virtually dead-that it has been crush
ed out by the popular verdict in the
Presidential election; and that the de-
cision Of the Supreme Court has left
nothing vital in republicanism, and has
placed the democratic party beyond and
above all competition as the constitute
onal, national, Union party of the coun.
try. Mr.. Buchanan takes the helm un
der these suspicious circumstances, ano
his acts thus far give token of a success
full and prosperous administration.