The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-10-30
NO. 25.
WEAKNESS OF OUR OPPONENTS.

Inc programme to be observed by the Up.
position in the next Presidential canvass
strikes us as being exclusively stnpid as it is
presented by many Of the papers in that inter.
est. 1t tcontemplates, says the Richmond South,
the fusion of all the odds and ends of every
party into one mass, which is to act In concert
for the overthrow Of the Democratic party, the
only spirit actuating its members being an earn.
est wish to turn the ins out and to secure
themselves the privileges Of entering the green
pastures Of Office.
The difficulty Of fusing these discordannt el.
ements into one homogeneous party is patent
to the dnllest appreh nsion, and is conceded
even by those most busy in the advocacy Of the
scheme. But suppose that difficulty overcome,
in what attitude will the party stand before
the country? What will be the ground of its
appeal for popular sympathy and popular sup.
port? Thus far, the developments indicate
that no arguments could be used in this behalf,
save such attacks as might be made upon the
men and measures Of the Democratic party.
No measures better calculated to promote the
veal of the country are to be proposed, no pol
icy more liberal and enlightened than that of
the Democratic party is to be suggested, but
the canvass is to proceed throughout solely up.
on the idea. that the people are SO disgnsted
and dissatisfied with the party in power, that
my chance Of change will be eagerly accepted,
even though it may lead to infinitely worse evils
than any now endured.
With all dne respect for the opinions Of those
who have marked out this plan of operations
we beg to suggest that it is fatally defective
and erroneous in this, that it counts too large
ly npon the gulibility Of the people Of these
States, and upon a presumed discomfort with
the measures aud policy Of the Democratic par.
ty. Even if there be that, in those measures
and features Of that policy, vulnerable to at.
tack, with what propriety could the attacks be
made by the members Of the Opposition? What
will they substitute in the place and stead OF
all that they condemn in Democratic Admin
istraton Of national affairs? Have they any
thing better to offer? Do they suggest any.
thing whatsoever Not SO but they could
only reply to such an inquisition, We cannot do
worse than the Democracy has done, is doing,
and will continue to do, and you, dear good
people, ought to give us a chance, II haply we
may mend matters and conduct the Govern
mcnt more energetically and efficiently. We
submit that this will be asking Of the people
more than they ought to grant, and more than
they would grant to any party that could be
organized within the limits Of the Union. Be-
sides. what evidence is there that the people
Of the country are weary of the Democratic
rule? Is it to he found in any success of any
faction in the Opposition If that be said,
pray when was that success achieved, and where
was the battle fought? We are in blissful ig-
norancc of any such instances
On the whole, then, we find nothing in the
arrangements for the next Presidential canvass
which betokens the overthrow of the Democrat
ic party of the country but, on the contrary,
much to encourage the hope that it will be re-
tanned in Office by decided expression Of the
popular will. Whatever may be the errors
and shortcomings ofthe party, it has well de-
fined policy, and advocates governmental meas
ures which have been thoroughly tested, and
render certain for doubtful good and they
sadly err who make snch calculations. Acting
upon no higher principle than mere expedien-
cy the people of the country must return the
Democratic party to the station of honor and
authority which they now occnpy rs matters
stand at this period No party comes seeking
their place that can give any assurance that
the government will be administered better or
otherwise that it has been under Democratic
Presidents and even if there be much evil in
that administration, it is an evil known in it's
widest extent. whereas the party opposing the
Democratic can give no guarantee that it will
not initiate measures a thousand-fold more hart
ful and mschieyons.
II the managers of the coalition would win
success they must change and modify the pan
of the campaign. The Democratic party may
be beaten, but it can only be done by party
adopting all that is good in the Democratic
creed and practice, and repudiating SO much
rs may be obnoxious to censure. In its main
features the policy of the Democratic party
has been endorsed and approved again and
again, by the people at large, and every other
policy put in competition with it has been dis
carded and rejected. To expect now that the
people will stultify themselves by condemning
that which they have so often and SO emphat
caly approved, is mere blind stupidity, which
would call for dersion if it did not excite pity
aa- A telegraphic depatch from Washing
ton says that Mr. Secretary Cass has address
ed communication to General Jerez, declar.
ing his special mission closed and that the gov
ernment will henceforth officially communicate