The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-08-07
TRU Il DEMOCRATS.

Courier upon the present position of the democracy.
"1t would be useless. even If II were advisable, for
us of Louisiana, and of the slave states generally
either to disguise or ignore the fact that the question
Of slavery is the great nrning point in American pol
itcs. lmbecic politicians of past age. surviving
relics of the days when federalism and protection
were the cry Of respectable mcdiocrty, may shrek
for the Union at any price," and deporc the degcn-
eracy of these times. miable fossils of the cockadc
school may cry peace peace, when there is no
peace.n But at last, and after ALL shutting our eyes
to the real dangers around us, would be the simple
ostrich policy of hiding our heads in the sand, when
the pursrers were close behind u.s.
This question of slavery is MOI new thing 1t scarce
y ever takes even really new phase. The argn-
mcus, pro and con on The Quaker petitions present
ed to Congress in Philadelphia in the days of John
Adams, before the nineteenth century had opened
and while the present city OF Washington was n
swamp, are substantially the same with those hibcrn
ally served up hot cold, and rechaafee at federal
capital. The forerunncrs and founders of the demo-
cratic party relied then, we do now, on the great
principles of State Rights. afterwards embodied
in the resolutions of 9s and their advcrsaries them
Us ours do now insisted on the powers of the general
government, and the sublimely mystic glores of u
half imaginary union. Then, as now, the true demo
cratic party fought gaanty, and after many rever-
scs successfully for the ght Of every state to admin
lister its own affairs not only without the interference
Of the general government but without any med
ding advice from it or sister states. Then now.
the adversaries OF the Democracy enlarged OH fancy
national dca of consolidated administration, and
perfectly homogeneous laws at once inapplcable and
absurd.
The democratic party of the present day is unfor-
unatey divided more or less in several of the states
on comparatively minor questions of organizations
policy. In all Of these cases though other local and
temporary matters the sectional causes of the DIFF
cuty, the real cause is suspected difference on the
vital question of slavery. 1t would be hard and out
side of our own state would be unbecoming to trace
the little alleged of trouble to their source =
but we feel happy to be able to say sincerel, that
these troubles in appearance than in real
ty. and that all good democrats of the day may nfal-
libly recognize their fellow democrats everywhere by
the common sentiment of State Rights. The great
slavery question is for the moment merged in that !:
perhaps permanently merged in it. The people of
the northern states have now majority in each
House of Congress, and of course majority in The
Electoral college. Seward boasts that they Will soon
take majority, and an antl-slavery one at that in
the Supreme Court Our only reliance for safety in
the Union is therefore strict adherence to the doc.
trncs Of '0S, and Of the democratic platform. The
North will soon control Congress. State Rights are
our only bnlwarks against federal cncroachmcnt
The men Of northern views are driven to insist on
national and " federal policy, an enlargement
and liberal construction Of federal powers in order
to reap the full advantage from their majority at
Washington. The Southern States and the great De.
mocracy are more than called upon to assert and
enforce the great democratic doctrine Of State Rights
Wherever them in the rather curious mciiaage of par
ties in the various states see one set of men stand
ing upon State Rights, may consider them politi-
cay and practically our friends
This is no time for true democrats anywhere least
Of all in the southern states TO be ndulging in per
sonal squabbles. The enemy is threatening us-we
ought to keep good understanding with one anoth.
er, and unite to sharpen our weapons against him
and him alone