Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-11-17
THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY.

SHELTON +. LEaKE.
Hon. X. Al. T. HUSTER.
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THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY.
IL Is significant fact while the Democratic party
is advancing rapidly in the non slavehoding States
reducing tne ranks Of the enemy in the strongest
OF their strongholds and achieving glorious victories
where was recently defeated by frghtful Odds that
IN tne SCUM mere ia dssension among lie members.
What cause ishs state of affairs to be ascribedl The
election OF mr.. Buchanan was hailed throughout The
Save States as triumph of constitutional prin.
oples over the tanaticism of the North Tho policy
prescribed tor the Administration, by the Cincinnati
Convention was warmly received by conservative
men IN the North, and heartily approved not only by
the Democracy, but also by very large proportion
OF the old line Wings Of the South as embodying the
true basis on which all the difficulties arising from the
slavery question should be settled That policy has
been conformed to consistently and rigidly. And
yet the Administration encounters opposition at
the South, from men, who earnestly advocated the
claims of MIR. Buchanan for the Presidency. This is
strange. The Democrats of the North still stand by
the principles and pledges which the Southern peo-
PIE, with almost unprecedented unanimity, accepted
as guarantees of their rights they continually re.
ceving accessons 10 their numbers on the faith of
the policy thus proclamed and adding strength to
the Union by multiplying the supporters Of the rights
Of the South. But what encouragement is given by
the Southern utrasts our allies, who are SO brave
ly and effectively battling in defence of cause!
While they are breaking the enemys centre in that
psr Of the field, where the foe is strongest and the
blows fall thckest, how is it here where they expect
to be sustained by compact column from Virginia
to Texas' The late Presidential election a.tested the
necessity Of unity and concert in the South if We
would maintain the ascendency which We have
the assailans of our institutions. Bat, while
that wing of the victorious army, which bore the
brHnt of the battle in November s united, and, like
Mcdonald at Wagram still steadily pressing forward
upon the enemy in this insubordnalion is evident
from the murmurs of some of the mutinous macon.
tents, and the independent attitude and air of def.
ance Of others, who have already openly refused TO
"march to the music of the Union" Can the con.
servatve men of the South fail TO see that this state
of things must not only be dispirtng TO the gallant
Democrats Of the North, who are go boldly bearing
the banner inscribed 'the Constitution aud the rights
OF the States, but that it is aso calculated to revive
the energies and encourage the cause OF abotionisn!
They do discover it; and hence their condemnation
Of the course OF those who have endeavored 10 bring
diecredit upon the Administration, and whose et
forts to that end, threatening to divide the De.
mocratc party in the South.
The result of the election in 1861 must he deter
mined, to no inconsiderable extent by the success
which attends the Administration Of Mr.. Buchanan.
And that success is somewhat dependent upon the
support of the present policy Of the government, by
no ThRtt lima mi
ment in the slave States i. strongly spprobstory of
the Administration up this time, and that there is
not the remotest reason for not believing that il will
continue 80, are pleased and proud 10 say. But
unauimity in the South is earnestly to be desired
as it was to have been confidently expected Oppo-
sition to Mr. Buchanan by portion of the Democrn.
cy Of the slave States, however feeble the faction
which may be arrayed against him, cannot but be
productive Of evil. That there will be such opposi-
ton In the next Congress, have not doubt. The
utrasts, who have already been heard in repronch
of him will renew their assaults with energy
and bitterness as the slightest ?retext is pre-.
sented. 1t is true, they are 30 few in numbers, that
the friends OF the Administration would find little DIFF.
fculty in driving them to the wall. But it must not
be forgotten that 10 the next Congress there will be
opponents Of Mr.. Buchanan's policy from the North
aso Their object will be to embsrass and break
down the Administration at every hazard. II they
can accomplish that they will have little fear for the
result OF the ensuing election of President BY them
selves they WILL Of course, be comparatively mpo'
tent for evil. But If the two extremes can be made
to meet if the Black Republicans aud the Southern
dsunoniss can be brought to combine their strength,
however they may differ as to the ultimate object
aimed al by each then the Administration may sem
sibly feel the shock OF the assault.
1t will thus be seen how highly important ia that
the conservative men of the South who are undoubt-
edly satisfied with the policy pursued by Mr.. Buc.
hanan should be circumspec, lest they may not only
lend their aid 10 the election of gentlemen who sym
pathize with the opponents Of the Administration
but by 80 doing give color to their conduct, and
make it appear that they are not misrepresenng the
sense of their constituents Any candidate for the
suffrsyes of the Southern Democracy who, when
called on to do so refuses to say that he condemns
the course of the malcontents who have been assa-
ing the Administration, is reasonably liable to the
suspcion of being disaffected in times like these.
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