Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-06-17
State of Parties.

It must be obvious to every that there is
now but one party in the United States, and that
all its opponents merely sectional, matter by
what names they may be called. In the free States
these opponents call themselves Republicans, and
are in fact, abolitionists. In the Southern States
our opponents call Enthusiastically it is difficult
to say what they do call themselves at present Not
long since they had several names at once, viz:
Americans" know Nothings," "Sam," &c. We
believe the latest title have heard is that of
american Whgs;" bu: as they took this title a
month or so ago. it is reasonable to suppose they
have already changed it, Or will do SO soon. They
,cear out names very fast.
Both these factions, constituting a kind of mega
tive party, and united only in opposition to Democ-
raey are sectional in their characters. In the re-
cent elections in the free States not single Fillmore
h n or American Wing has been elected In the
national conventions of K Ms but few free States
are represented; and we are glad to have it in our
power to say, that in the NATIONAL conventions of
the Black Republicans, no Southern State is repre-
sented. Beautiful nationality, indeed! A little
Southern X. n. faction claims to be national; and
big Black Republican faction claims to be national,
and at the same time both unite in general on
States this opposition is founded on the slavery
question; and in the South the distribution
question. 1t is only in few Southern States that
distribution is advocated and only, with rare ex-
ceptions, by Know Nothings, who, in few short
months have forgotten their hatred to foreigners
and their horror Of catholics, and placed all their
hopes of political salvation in the old worn out idea,
the obsolete and exploded principle of distribution
"a measure which, merely glanced at, has fas-
cinating appearance; but which, like the beautiful
apples of the Dead Sea, will not bear openng-will
not bear investigation; and which, when tried by
the Wings in IS4O turned to dust and ashes on the
lips.
1t is a fact worthy of remark, that both these
factions are dissatisfied with the Constitution and
the laws The Black Republicans want the Consti-
tuition changed to take away all protection to
slavery; and the X. Ms want change in the ma
turazaton laws, and also in the Constitution SO as
to create a religious test for Office. We know they
profess to make this test only at the baotbox; but
who can doubt, if they once got into power, that
they would effect by fundamental law what they
profess desire only by the force of their sufages?
And what, indeed, would be the difference? The
accomplishment of their object, no matter by what
MEANS would be the same; and tyranny and op-
preston the one side, and bloody resistance on
the other, would be the result.
On the other hand we behold the great national
Democratic party coming up from the North and
the South, from the East and the West, all banded
together by Constitutional links all looking to the
interest the glory and the honor of our common
country. They may differ in the details of unessen-
tiais but in principle they are one They advocate
the integrity of the Constitution, and its observance
everywhere. They grant to every section the rights
guaranteed to it by that instrument They are
satisfied with it as it is. Under its influences they
have guided the destnes of the country and brought
it to the front rank Of nations; and they are content
to go in the same track to still higher and
advanced position. They have no half heart,
no narrow, contracted views. They embrace the
whole Union, and stretch forth their arms for the
protection and happiness of the entire continent.
They arc essentially national, and in every section
they war against sectionalism and fansticsm. The
only hope for the overthrow of either is in the
Democratic party. If that fails, fanaticism will run
riot over the Constitution, and when that is done
the Union will be deservedly dissolved. 1t will then
be loathng in the mind and stencil in the nos
trils Of patriotism.
There is another striking similarity between the
Black Republican and K. X. factions. At the North
demagogues for the sake of Office have agitated the
slavery question, without caring fig for the negro
and at the South demagogues have attacked for
esners and catholics, hoping it would be popular,
without feeling any of the fears they profess for
these classes. Both are insincerc-both want to
get into power, only for the emoluments Neither
care groat for the classes they profess to love
dread
But X. N ism at the North, changing its name to
Black Republican and X. N. ism at the South.
going through graduation of names and finally
landing distribution, still unite in opposing De.
mocracy. The Black Republican X. MS forgetting
foreigners and catholics, are struck with wonder
1ul love Tor the negro race and X. N. American
WINGS With like forgetfulness are brought up,
all in heap, for distribution And the reason they
give for being in favor of distribution is that the
lands are being squandsred, and we ought to have
our share; or. as Gen. Dockery c,assicay renders
it. "our sheer" They do not pretend that dstr
button is right of itself, but that as system Of
robbery is going on, we ought to have our share Of
= l~F% -. 80.