The Yazoo Democrat., 1858-10-23
PARTIES


press TO abuse the Democratic party. This thew
appear to do merely through the force of habit.
without having any well-defned object in view.
In days gone by they were accustomed as wbias
60 decry our principles and men; but then thew
laoored for the propagation of a creed which thew
honestly believed to be the true policy of n Gov
ernment they loved in common with their adver-
sarles Democrats could respect and admire
tneiF enemies, working, as they we're, for what
they really considered the true interest of
Their country. Itwas the endeavor of both parties
TO ascertain and establish those principles of
national conduct which would best advance the
glory and the happiness of the people of this
contederacy. The reins of power were, at differ
ent periods, in the bands Of each great political
organization. Each had an opportunity to nut
Its own principles to the test and to steer the
Ship of State in that direction which best accord.
ed with its ideas of safety and advantage. Al
majority of the citizens of the United States
after observing the different policies of the two
social armies as they in turn possessed the power
to originate and prosecute their measures f.
nally determined by overwhelming vote the
superior merit of Democracy. This question
Deing hnally decided, it is natural to suppose
that right minded men would have placed their
shoulders to the wheel and assisted its nrogress
Although they may have felt satisfied that it was
hsadvantageous to the country that this partv
should be dominant, still they were minority.
anu unable by fair means to stay its onward
momentum, and therefore was it their true nolcv
to push it forward with the certainty that if hon.
ehcial they would be working to the ADVANTAGE
OF tnelr posterity and themselves; and if its
principles were wrong, then their assisting efforts
would the sooner display its nadequacy to the
conduct OF Government, and thus effect a reaction
Some few adopted this policy and co-operated
with their former foes
But now new question has arisen which an
peals more strongly to the higher qualities of the
heart, and ought to effect the destruction of par
hHan feelings. The Northern people have forced
upon US the sectional question-shall slavery live
or die ?-shall Southern institution be respected
and protected, or its strength attenuated when
we believe it to be right, and our own very exist.
ence depends upon its permanence Self-preser-
Vation is the first law of nature, and our peonle
should speedily seize upon that means which will
most surely afford security. No sane man will
dispute the fact that strong, well-organized and
honest party is the best, the only method of
preserving the time-honored institution of slavery
which is sanctioned by the Bible and the usaoe
Oh ages-which has accomplished more good to
mankind than any other social establishments
the object of love and the means of life 70 tho
prOudest people in the world.
IL must be admitted that the existence and
extension of that institution rests upon that partv
which can unite the South that the safety Of
slavery and the Southern people depends unon
the strongest party. "It were consummation
deVoutly to be wished" thst the opponents Of
Democracy could be wholly convinced of the
intrinsic merit and soundness of its doctrines.
and that nothing but good could result from their
predominance. But if this is impossible. thew
ought to be easily convinced that duty calls them
to its support in crisis like that which threatens
andindeed is inevitable e'e
30 far however, from taking matter-of-faet
view of the great issue before the country. and
advising corporation accordingly, the opposition
newspapers of the South are constantly endeavor
ing to excite their readers against the Democratic
party The honesty of our statesmen is i'm
peached, and instead of directing attention to the
great fact that the two sections of our country
are openly arrayed against each other thev
waste their time in discussing the W ords of par
ucular men, vllifying their successful opponents
and attempting to form new coalitions and create
new parties, which, whatever name they NAV
bear, will be virtually possessed of no other
principle than opposition to Democracy.
These efforts of partisan animosty to under
mine and overthrow great party resemble too
much the spirit of demagogueism to be successful.
This iondness for discussing minor issues and
avoiding the main question is becoming paloable
and cannot much longer gull an honest people.
when the crisis Immediately impends we be-
heVe the virtue of the great Southern people will
be reliable. The scales which Know Nothing
editors have been so long trying to fix will drop
from the eyes of Southern men-their magnanim
ity will turst the shackles forged by party zeal,
and one glorious effort will be made by Democrats
wings and know-NOthings, to defeat, not Democ-
racy' not Whiggery, not KnoW-N Nothngism. but
our deadliest foes, the Black Republicans. We
want no parties except an Anti.Abolition party.
This the Democratic party is One of its distin-
gushing features is its opposition to section alism
and its flag is the bond of union to the greatest
NUMBER of Southern men. Why cannot the adyo-
Gates Of slavery unite under its folds for tn 6 one
purpose Of defeating abolihonism? When we
nave established our rights and fixed the institu-
uon Of slavery on sure basis beyond the reach
OF cavi, then will it be time to settle our petty
chickering's on questions of minor Importance.
We want no politicians; but we want patriots
men whose minds are great enough to forget
they ever belonged to any party until they have
done their duty to the South 1t is well enough
10 expose the wiles of public men, and show the
special object of each little piece Of treacberv,
out 1t should still be remembered that traitor
may have honest disciples, and these should be
dealt with more tenderly. Detection NAV be
cured BY argument-never by vituperation. 1t