Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-08-20
Illinois.

There is much sense in the old maxim, which teaches
us to choose the least of two evils and the present posi-
ton of things in Illinois furnishes fair chance for its
application The contest in Illinois is virtually between
Senator Douglas and Mr.. Lincoln. We have never
been among the fierce dcnouncers of Senator Douglas
We think we have endeavoured to estimate accurately
the extent of his errors and Of the wrongs he has COM
mitted and the evil he has done to the Democratic par
ty. While we are not willing to either justify or eX
cusc manythings in his recent course it is but Shere
Justice to say that he is not all wrong. That bitterly
and uiusty denuncatory as many Of his speeches are
and have been at the north and west they yet contain
much sound constitutional doctrinc-doctrine that
only q Democrat has the bodneSS 10 aVo" lh'
those sections-that however blamabe he may be for
tbc aid and comfort his actousnesS may have given
n fine opponens of the administration and of the Dem
ocracy he is still far, very far from sympathzIng with
Abolitionism or Free soilsm-he is the very antpode
of Mr. Lincoln his Black Republican competitor for the
scnatorshp in Illinois. In MIR. Douglas war with Mr.
buchanan both our judgment and our feelings are with
Mr. Buchanan and against Mr.. Douglas. But in MIR.
Douglas war against Lincoln and the Black Republi-
cans OF Illinois Mr.. Douglas is right and we wish him
success The contest is narrowed down to Douglas Or
Lincoln. We cannot hesitate. We trust that Douglas
may be elected Lincoln fights under banner on which
is inscribed, " No more slave States" Douglas de-
nOunccs all such doctrines opposed to the constiu-
t0nal equality of the Statestcndng to dsnnion, wrong
per se,-wrong in principle and in practice
We abominatc certain kind of organism. A Dem
ocratc paper may grow to be- to some extent an organ
or exponent Of the views of its party by an honest adj
hcrcnce to recognized principles and measures and by
careful regard to the wishes and best interests of the
party whose cspOuses Bypursuing this course
it may so far acquire and deserve the confidence of its
party as to speak with that measure of authority
which it derives from the position it holds and the conf
dence reposcd in it. This sort OF organism is pure free
from undue influence personal bias is absolutely
sary the influence ofany paper and essential to its pow
Cras an instrument good Buthat other kind Of organ
ism which consists in wearing the livery fighting the
battles does and ought deprive
apaper of influence and respect Thus what can be
humiatng than for paper to be justly Douglas
paper Fillmore paper, paper Of any other mere
man. Nay, more we cannot see how purely ndepen-
dent Democratic paper could accept, much less claim
the position of an organ even of the administration
The Democratic press Of the South supported Mr..
buchanan because the principles and measures of which
he was the exponent met its approval and because they
believed him to be prepared to carry out his pledges
with ability and good faith. The Democracy of the
South gives to Mr. Buchanans administration the
support they gave to him candidate because they
see that administration redeemng the pledges made on
its behalf-pursuing the policy that it was elected tc
pursue They find it Democratic and constitutional and
they support Democracy and consttutonality. Would
they support the administration if they found it other
wise? No
But there organs in Washington City and else
where that represent not the principles but the
that to do so. They lerment evil-they wider
breaches-they magnify small matters into mountains
for personal ends. Their support is worse than the
open opposition of enemies.