Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-19
THE ATLAS OF THE UNION.

A gratifying evidence of The patriotism and loyalty
of the An.ericsn people, is furnished i'll the fact, that
since the slavery Question has become 80 serious in
Its aspect as TO threaten disruption OF the conede-
racy, the paramount object in our national elections
is the preservation of the Union.
The North assails ami ISLANDERS the South, trenches
upon our rights, ard denies our equality. And yet
tie North with the exception of faction OF fanatics
neni:ests desire Tor dIsaevrrance rom the South
Aud the South, though grievoury wron2ed, still ad-
heres 10 III, Union and hopes and works for its con
tinuy. There are interests involved RS We'll us
proud reflections aud sacred associations which serve
10 cement State with State and section with section.
But there is bunnd beyond which the elastic liga'
ments OF this country cannot be extended without
parting. That bound is already reached. And It Is
this danger impending over the Union, which has
tested aud still test. the patriotism Of our people,
The absorbing object of conservative men IN all
secons Is TO avert the danger of L dissolution oil
the Union. There was a lime, and it ia not yet go
faded in memory to require the records Of history
10 refresh aud renew it, when parties were opposed
North and South, upon grounds O: political prncl'
Pile and governmental policy, without reference to
any such immediate effect 0. any election, as sepa-
ration OF The States when the Wing party in Mas.
saohuset,o commanded the cordial cooperation OF
the Wing party n Virginia, and the Democratic par.
ty WAS the same in New Hampshire or Vermont, as
IN Alabama or Mi,sssp ppi; when both the old parties
We're national, and both contended for their respec-
tive principles the safest and sucest means of sd
vaucing the interests Of The whole country.
How is il gOwl Iusleai of those old issues, which
gard 20 which alone there WAS wont 10 be always an
-iiort-snd sometimes it succeeded-at a quadrer-
NAL revolution in the policy Of our Government, our
NATIONAL elections now turn upon the slavery quea
ton and the salvation OF the Union. Iae Wing pariy
Is no longer national organization. The Demo
cratic party Is almost aiOn, in tie South, while in the
North 1t maniuliy maintains its position in the field
through the srduous exerti"ns of its unswervug ad
heren's who have reso.u:cly refused to affiliate with
its snti,slsvery enemy. Presidential contest. have
thus been reduced to sectional strugges-the South
almost unanimous, and the North divided only by its
indomitabe Democracy.
This condition Of things affords an argument in
favor of the truth and strength OF the Democratic
party which will render in the political history Of
the United Sates in the niueeenth century, once
warning and M example for all time to come.
TO save the Union is now tho first object and aim
ofpatriots OF all parties and sections. And Democratic
principles are the means employed Tor the attainment
Of that end. In the late election, Mr.. Fillmore re-
ceived the vote of singl, State. The North, with
the exception OF the National Democrats followed
the flag OF Fremont. The Sout! was almost unsn
nous for Mr.. Buchanan. The election of Mr.. Fill
4 :,l. r
the Union. would it have been, had his prospects
been bright enough TO induce doubt of his defeat
While h. was the leader Of a party opposed TO the
Democracy he was no Back Republican encOura-
girg acru-ads against the institutions vi ths South
Why then was it, thar he was ~ badly beaten!-
Why were hi. supporters IN the North unable to give
him the vote OF sing. State; and where was his
party iu TIE South that Maryland alone was LETT 10
hcu.'
These questions are all es-iy answered. The crsis
had when the Union must be saved or lost;
when the republic in rcd Of all the strength oil lis
strongest principles protect it from the parricda
hsni of sbolitiJn-m when ths government must
stand fall. ri..hi and wreng truth treason pre-
vailed. And in that trying hour, when the spirits Of
Washington and Lafayette might have been ina
gned to droop even in Heaven over the prospect Of
Oss Of that liberty, which they had achieved and
left as a legacy earth the nation turned to the DE-,
noe;at'c party its protector from the impending
peril.
Those principles upon which our government has
been supported so iong which made prosperous
and powerful people, and sustained the Union in
peace AMI in war, have been acknowledged At last
to be Indispensable to the security of the institutions
which they have fos.-rcd end sustained. The De
mocra,ic party is the Ans upon whose shoulders tie
republic must rest.