The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-03-06
FROM the Richmond Enquirer.
\ Virginia Protest against the New Party
Fest.

Ifaivocacy ofthe Lceompton Constitution
= TO be made the tUuchstOne of Democracy
now, ue would like TO be informed what IS
to be the neIt party tt't. The Kansas qnes-
ton may be settled soon. We heartily trust
that il .il But whether it be done to- day
OF tomorrow, this year or the next, We
would ask OF the tiisor-anZers who would
excornmunicate every Democrat differing
from the Administration in regard 10 1t, II
they propose a reconstruction of the party
as often as great question Is adjusted: Do
they look upon the D. mocratic party as an
organization based upon measures instead OF
prineiples-an organization founded for ten
porsry purposes, and held togeth.r by a
community OF sentiment on a single question
of the day, and that, too. with reiereGce, not
to the principle involved, but altogether to
the measure proposed: II 50, they are in
culcatiHg sHicidal doctrine. They are de-
nyinc the origin, the essence and the object
of Democracy. They are tearing away the
corner stone Of the Ell nee they occupy.
The Democratic party has arrived at a cri-
/ teal period in it, history. The American
/ people have arrived at a critical period in
their history, too A Reorganization OF the
Democracy now must inevitably and speedl-
/ " lead TO disruption of the Union. The
E
night succeeds day. And for our part, We
would not separate the sequence from the
cause # we could, for, when the Democratic
/ party il dsorganized, Back Republicanism
! must triumph; and, when that takes place,
| the only safety for the South would be in
secession. We have not yet lost our regard
for the Union. We would perpetuate it, il
possible. But We would not knee to an al
tar that is desecrated, and mock the Creator
by doing reverence to 4 symbol of sacrilege.
ia the name of religion " would not cor
roborate the imputa,ion Of falsty upon self
government by acquiescing in such an out
rage upon the Constitution of the United
States as would be perpetrated in the /! au-
guration of an abolition Executive. W.
| would sooner show to the world that consti
/ tutionsl liberty IS practicable, by establish
/ ing separate republic on the same basis OF
principles promulgated by the founders of
! the Confederacy. We would preserve the
! Union by making the South secure. And to
| both these patriotic ends, the Democratic
party s'sne is equal. Divide the Democra-
| cy, and, as We have said, You destroy the de-
/ fence of the slave States, and dissolve the
| Union. Hence, we hold that now is the
! time, not for iInpetuosi;y, rashness and vio-
/ lence, but for calm dehberation, moderate
/ rem0DStrAnCe, anu wise 1OrOt2ranCe on the
part of those Democrats that differ, not upon
principle, but upon mere measure of expe-
diency-the means of enforcing the principle
upon which they all concur. Discussions in
the Democratic party, especially at this
jpncture, may prove fatal to its fortunes in
! 1860.
Our readers are aware ih.t ve cordially
approve the President position on the Kan
sas question. Bat se will not join in male
dictions against those Democrats who dis
| sent from our own views of the administra
ton on this question. We believed them to
be actuated 10y the prompt Is of patriotism.
And the day may not be distant when their
services will be needed both by the Presi-
dent and the country. Letu remember the
hard fought battle OF 1886. Let US look
| back upon our past struggles in common
cause against the enemies of the South. Let
us not be unmindful that there is a future
osfore us; that the Black Re, ublicans are
united. and that division in our ranks must
inevitably invite them to an easy victory
over US in the mex. Presidential contest.
Democrats may differ upon measures
but they should never divide except upon
principles. Let them beware, then, Of I'M
proper party tests in times like these.