The Feliciana Democrat., 1857-09-19
Tbe ftlitiana lsmotrat.
ADDRESS OF TIE DEMOCRATIC
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
TO THE PEOPLE or LOUISIANA.

who are to represent you III the Federal ana
State Legislatures, and to make choice ofthose
who are to fl important general and local
Offices. The performance of this duty will call
forth the expression of your views upon ques-
tions of national and State policy. 1t is i'm
portant, therefore, that the opinions of those
who may be selected should furnish true and
faithful reflex of the feelings and sentiments Of
the people Of the State. TO this end we invite
you to ignore all personal jealousies and local
dssensions, and to keep exclusively in view
those great principles which, paramount to all
others, must be either strengthened or weaken
cd by the result. But few months have
elapsed since the heart Of every patriot was
agitated by anxiety lest desperate and reck-
less faction should succeed in phrcnsied effort
to override the restraints Of the Constitution.
The contest is over, and the people breathe
more freely in the assured confidence that no
combination of fanatical and deluded men is
powerful enough to undermine the strong
foundations of our Constitutional Union.
We are aware that portion Of our citizens,
not strong in numbers but respectable in intel.
ligence and in the influence Of high character.
look with no hope to the future. Wearicd
and embittcred by persistent and hostile at
tacks upon our institutions they have come to
the conclusion that our only safety lies in an
independent political organization, that our
recent victory is but respite, and that it is
time to organize sectional party, as prepnra-
tory to that disunion which is inevitable. The
opinions Of earnest and intelligent citizens hon.
estly expressed, upon a question Of common
interest and one of vital Importance, should be
treated with respectful Difference; and as be-
tween the citizens of Southern State any
division of opinion upon such a subject, it is
hoped, will be marked by an absence Of all
personal recriminations. It is question
which rises above party considerations, the
calm discussion Of which should not be discol.
ored by party arimositics When the people
of Louisiana enter upon the consideration Of
this question graycly, ms one embracing prac-
teal and serious rcsults--and there is every
Indication that it will be so presented to them,
and that 1t will form an element in the ap.
preaching canvass-it is proper they should
look it fairly and honestly in the face. II is
manifest, upon even slight reflection, that the
Southern people must choose one of two alter
natives. ii il is true that there is no political
organization which either now or prosnoctyc-
ly can guarantee to the Southern States their
position as equals in the confederacy, it is
manifestly their duty at once to retire from it.
It is only as an equal in a confederacy Of
equals that there is any Constitutional obliga-
ton resting upon any State to continue in the
Union, and it is not to be expected that any
State will consent to sacrifice her local sovc
reignty for the sake Of national unity. IF, on
the other hand. there is any political organ-
zation in the Union which, with the ability.
stands pledged to the duty Of maintaining the
Constitutional equality of all the States it is
manifestIy the duty of the Southern States.
and of the citizens Of those States, to give their
hearty cooperation to the support of such a
party. We assert, with a confidence which is
based upon experience, that in the whole range
of our political horizon there is no organization
other than the Democratic party which has
at once the ability and the will to maintain
the compromises of the Constitution. The
Wing organization, purgcd Of its former Abo
lition and proscrptiye elements, constitutes an
intelligent, patriotic and conservative body of
citizens, but it is too feeble in numbers to serve
even as make-weight in the balance of par
ties. The American party--if such misno-
mer may be applied to it--has practically
ceased to exist as n National organization.
In the North it is merged in the Black Repub-
lican faction, and in the South it maintains q
itstiiclc' lochl hsteNueNPV, mainly III places
where the right of suffrage has been suppress
ed by violence; but whatever may be its prin-
ciples, either in the North or in the South. it
must be conceded even by its most sanguinc
friends that party which will not be able to
number dozen Representatives, all told, in
the popular branch of the next Congress-
none of them from the Northern States can
urge no claim to the support of the people as
a National party. The Democratic party
alone can bring an assured strength from eve.
ry quarter of the Republic to the support of
principles which are true to the Constitution
and the Union, principles which are recoenz.
ed by her people in the remote North, and the
remote South, on the shores of the Atlantic
Ocean, and by the gentle murmur of the Pa,
cifc. In every quarter of the Union where
the doctrines and principles of the Democratic
party prevail her statesmen are expected to
carry them into practical operation. Every
abandonment Of principle on the part of her
statemen has been followed not by any com
promise Of doctrine, but by nm abandonment
of the men who have proved delinquent to
their trust. 1t is on behalf of party which
alone affords the snrurity Of that numerical