The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-02-07
The Progress of Abolition.

II is profitable for Southern men whose instiu-
tons threatened with overthrow to rccur to the
past, and note the rapid progress of the abolition or
anti.slavery organization. But few years ago II
was insignificant in numbers Composed Of few
misguided fanatics in some of the Northern cities.
they scarcely ventured TO hold their meetings in
public They then met in secret places. and plotted
under the mantle of darkness. in dread OF storms OF
public indignation which were sure to be visited
upon them.
It was not until the year 1910. that this danger
Gus organization threw of all DISCUSSES and entered
the lists in the struggle for the control Of the Gov
eminent. But its numbers were so few, that none
but the most sagacous and farsceing beheld in II
even feeble element of danger TO the peace OF the
country and stability of the Union
In that canvass but sixteen years ago-James G.
Brncy the anti-savery cand date for the Presidency
received only seven thousand and sixty nine votes in
the whole North.
So small were the numbers Of this organization
that both of the old parties the Wing and the Dem
ocratc--lookcd with contempt upon it; and mani
tested no apprchensions that it would diminish their
strength or interrupt their march to power
In 1874. this distinctive sectional party pollcd
small increase comparatively. and not such as to
create alarm in the bosoms of the sincere lovers OF
the country and the Constitution, under which II
had advanced with wonderful tread, to power and
greatness
In 1913, it cast two hundred and nnety-one thou
sand three hundred and seventy-onc votes. The
two old parties still maintained their integrity and
measured arms without needing the ambitious and
wicked pretcnsions of the third party, which had
commenced striving in earnest for power
In 1852. its number were somewhat less. But in
1854 the brave old Wing party went out OF existence
and new party, called the Know Nothing Order
with its secret signs, mysterious symbols, and anti
republican doctrines sprung into being upon lis
ruins and this new party. looking alone 10 inc
spoils of Office in the Northern States, coaiesced
with the abolition organization, and the coalition
succeeded in carrying most OF the elections. oAder
the delusive of American nine recsoli Gov
errors we're inaugurated in the free States Under
the same desecralcd appcllation majority OF reck-
less unprincipled antisavery agiators were elected
to the popular branch of Congress; and for the rst
time in the history Of the Government. that body
selected an officer to preside over its deliberations
upon n purely sectional issue Hostility to the
South, aud war to the knife on her institutions were
the watchwords and reply OF these fanatics and DEM
agogues Every manner OF insult was hurled n the
slave-holding States. For ten long, dreary months,
Black Republicanism celebrated its Internal orgies
in the National House of Representative.
Strengthened by this corrupt coalition the aboiI-
ton organization was prepared TO go into the Presi-
Dental contest Of 1856 underclrcumsances Halter
ing to its hopes. but disconraging to the patriotic
and conservative of the nation.
The National American party was found TO nc
but a myth. When the drum beat to arms, the
Southern men who had Rugged the phantom to their
bosoms as a reality. awoke to n true knowledge OF
the condition of parties The great body OF the FOL
lowers of Sam in the Northern States, had sworn
allegiance to abolitonism. and marslalled by Gree
lev Seward Hale Il Co.. had rallied under the dus
XIV banner of John G. Fremont. There was reall!
but one party which afford d the rcmotest hope fol
the counry's escape from Black Republican domln
ion. and that was the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
We have seen that Brney, the sectional candidate
IN 1870 received seven thousand and slXty-nn
votes. This was the germ OF the party which II
1856 received, in round numbers ONE MILLION TnREi
HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND yoTEs-of the party
to defeat which, were required all the giant encrgIe
of the Democracy, strengthened and supported b.
the flower of the old Wing forces. and of the party
which swept eleven out of the sixteen on-slarehold
ing States, including all New England and the Fin
pre State Of the Union!
When it is remembered that the sole object OF TIL
organization which has made such rapid strides II
power in few years, is the debasemcn OF the South
ern States and the overthrow of their cherished in
stituons, can we resist the appeal which inyokcs u
to be united and to prepare bravey and successfully
to encounter the pcrls by which we are threatened