Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-05-05
nor the Spirit Of Jefferson.1

in few observations upon the subject ofthe present
contest between Hon. Charles James Faulkner, the
Democratic nominee, and the Hon. VIM. Lucas the
so-called Old Line independent candidate for Com
gress2 Sirs, am an old-Line Democrat in thefull
est sense. was born and reared Democrat-haye
always supported Democratic candidates, in prefer
ence to all and every opposition which has been
brought against them.s have done so under the
full conviction that the principles and policy laid
down and practiced by the Democratic party and
always have been the best calculated to promote
the true interests the honor and glory of our great
and mighty republic.
1t has been said that eternal vigilance is the price
of liberty" The truth of this graphic sentence is
forcibly called to mind at every in the history
and progress of our country. No sooner does ths
Intelligence of people and the patriotism of
statesmen conquer one evil or error, than another
springs up-than the enemyin some Jew guise leaps
forth from some hidden recess TO renew the conflict
Alien and Sedition Laws, United States Bank, Pro-
tectve Tariffs Assumption of State Debts Distribu-
ton of the proceeds OF the Public Lands amongst
the StateS, Known othingism; Black Republicanism
ali, and many other kindred measures have had
their advocates, and been consigned TO the tomb Of
the Capuets After all these brilliant victories de-
yeoping and establishing beyond doubt the strength
aud soundness, the justice and immutable truth of
Democratic principles one would suppose that the
champions could say
"Now are our brows crowned with victorious wreaths
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments"
But such it would seem is not to be our good for
tune. When new issues cannot be made, old ones
are to be revived when living soldiers cannot be
marshalled 70 the field, the dead carcasses of the
slain are to be galvanized and brought forward to
be slain again. Suppose, Messrs Editors, that Mt
this day, some candidate for public honors should
come forward and revive the discussion of the esta
'lishment of a u s. Bank, a Protective Tariff
recton of the dead2 But suppose further that the
advocate of such measures, should call himself an
old-line Democrat, and claim that the measures he
| advocated were Democratic measures, and quote
| Gen. jackson for authority, would any intelligent
person regard such pretensions with serious consid
Grafton? And yetwe have before the people OF this
district, at the present time candidate for Con-
gress calling himself old-line Democrat and ad-
vocating, as Democratic measure the Distribution
I of the proceeds of the Public Lands among the
States quoting Gen. jackson for authority, and de-
pending upon Wings and Know-Nothings for his
chief support. Strange, strange as it may seem,
such is the position which the Hon. VIM. Lucas oe-
| cupies before the people.
Does not every body know that Distribution to-
gether with the whole batch Of measures above
named, have been repudiated by The whole Demo
cratic party in every platform oprinciples which has
been framed2 To attempt seriously to hold before
the public mind, Distribution as Democratic mea-
sure is certainly compliment to the intelligence
l or even common sense Of the people. If Disribu-
tion is a Democratic measure, why, would ask, is
1t that the wings and wing presses giving such
aid and comfort" to Mr.. Lucas? Have all the
wings and know nothings Suddenly become Demo-
Gratis, or has Mr.. Lucas really turled whg?-
Query ?-the people will answer.
If the question is asked "why is this issue made
with the Democratic party and its nominee in tins
District" theanswer is to be found in tbs words ut
tered by Mr. Lucas himself in his speech in Martins
RSrS On the s7th o ule cPps''on to ns Hon.
| words there is much meaning, more perhaps than
| was intended. Had the Democratic Convention
| nominated any other one of the prominent men OF
| our District than Mr.. Faulkner, Mr.. Lucas would
not have been in the field and his new fedged old
line Distribution doctrines would probably have
manned unconceived and unborn. For he told the
people in MartiDsburg in his speech that "he was
| brought out to oppose Mr.. Faulkner, and nobody
else"
What is Mr.. Faulkner's position before the people
l n diafri Whpnh a Erofp tad IN
| 1853 by the Democratic convention, he emphatical-
ly declared in reference to his former party alia-
nons that "he had crossed the bridge and burnt it
hihnd him, thereby espousing the Democratic cause
its principles and its fate. His public acts have
since that time been in strict and faithful keeping
with that declaration. Twice since he has been re-
nominated and triumphantly elected the fiercest
and bitterest opposition. He has proved faithful 10
every trust confided him. No objection has been
made by either editor, writer, correspondent or vo-
ter of the Democratic party 10 any vote cast or
speech uttered during his whole of six years
as Representative in Congress. But the con-
trary it is acknowledged that he has been
among the most able, efficient aud faithful Repre-
sentatyes the District has had that his talents
and active energy has reflected high credit upon the
District is fact of which every is fully SEN
sibe. Thus does Mr.. Faulkner stand proudly emf
neut before his constituency as well as before the
| whole country.
In contrast with Mr. Faulkners position let us take
another glance at the position ofMr Lucas womld
be folly to suppose ever in the event of Mr. Lucas
election to Congress, that the measure which he is
|
ner or means become q law. The national admins
tration which has just opened is in every manner
committed against it. The Cincinnati platform de-
nounces it. Mr.. Buchanan m adopting that platform
and being elected upon its principles is bound by
| its requlrements-to say nothing of his avowed
sentimens-to oppose it even by the exercise of his
executive veto, if needs be. Thus find this old
! liner arrayed against the Cincinnati platform and
the President elected thereon, against the vote he
himself hin (Mr Luc"sl cast for Mr. Buchanan against
ocratic party of this District and its nominee
! What power would ask does he expect to bring to
bear in favor of his propositions : Certainly his
election depends upon the votes of ant-democratic
voters of this District and in Congress he would OF
necessity depend upon the Black Republican and
| other anti-democratc factions Is the Democracy
of this District willing to elected to Con-
gress upon such an issue, and placed in such po-
sition?
"Ariss ye Goths and g1ut your irep
Imagine for a moment, such a bill as Mr. Lucas
suggested in his speech at Martinsburg to be passed
by Congress and sent TO the President for his sigma
ture. "a seperate set of books-Land Books
opened and seperate accounts of the proceeds of the
Public Lands kept and periodically distributed
among the States with enacting clause provi-
ding for the withholding of the money whenever
the Treasury of the United States should by any
chance become too much depleted" Great heavens
what glorious hook for the lovers of spoils to hang
their hopes upon. Does not every rational being
know that MIR. Buchanan would scout such bill
from his presence with his direst condemnation p
II Mr. Buchanan should sign such bill, or any bill
for the Distribution of the proceeds of the Public
Lands among the States, the whole Democratic par
ty of the country would be as much astounded as
are the people Of this District Democrats, Wings,
hnow-Nothings and ALL at the very strange and in
consistent position which the Hon. VIVA. Lucas has
assumed in Opposition to Mr.. Faulkner and nobody
else"
tbs matter of painful regret and chaprin to the
Democracy that Mr.. Lucas should have taken such
a petition not so mnch account of the result
which is to ensue to the Democratic party, (for Mr.
Lucas will surely be defeated) but on his own ac-
count He has always been regarded old line
Democrat in reality; one who could be relied upon