Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-08-11
From the Louisiana Courier.


 It would be useless, even if it 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 turning point n American politics. Imbecile politi- cians of past age, surviving relics of the days when federalism and protection were the cry of respectable mediocrity, may shriek for the Union at any price," and deplore the degene- racy of these times. Amable fossils of the cockade school may cry "peace peace, when there is no peace" 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 purSuers were close behind us
 The question of slavery is no new thing. It scarcely ever takes even really new phase. The arguments pro and con on the Quaker pe- titions presented to Congress in Philadelphia in the days of John Adams before the nineteenth century had opened, and whlet the present city ot Washington was a swamp, are substantially the same with those hibernially served up hot, cold and rechau6es, at our federal capital. The forerunrels and founders of the democratic party relied then, as we do now, on the great principles of State rights, soon afterwards em- bodied in the resolutions of '98, and their ad-
 
 powers of the general government and the sublimely mystic glories of half imaginary union. Then as now, the true democratic party fought galiantly, and after many reverses, sue cesstuIy for the right of every State to adminis- ter its own affairs not only without the inter- ference of the general government, but without any meddling or advice from it or sister States. Then as now, the adversares of the democracy enlarged on fancy national idea of consolidat- ed administration, and perfectly homogeneous laws at once inappEcable and absurd.
 The democratic party of the present day is unfortunately divided more or less in several of the States on comparatively minor questions of organization and policy. In all of these cases, though other local and temporary matters are the nominal causes of the difficulty the real cause is a suspected difference on the vital ques- ton of slavery. It would be hard, and outside of our own Sta5e would be ulbecoming, to trace the little alleged causes of trouble to their source; but we feel happy to te able to say sin cerely that these troubles are worse in appear ance than in reality, and that all good demo- crats of this day may infalbly recognize their fellow democrats everywhere. by the common sentiment of State rights. The great slavery question Is for the moment merged in that; per hars permanently merged in it. The people of the northern States have now a majority in each House of Congress, and of course, a majority in the electoral college. Seward boasts that they wlIl soon take majority, and an anti-slavery one at that, in the Supreme Court Our only reliance for safety in the Union is then strict adherence to the doctrines of '98 and of the democratic platform. The north will soon con trol Congress. State rights are only bulwarks against federal encroachment
 The men of northern views are driven to in- sst on "national' and "federal' policy. an enlargement and liberal construction of federal powers, in order to reap the full advantage from ther majority at Washington. The southern States and the great democracy are more than ever called upon to assert and enforce the great democratic doctrine of State rights. Wherever then, Tn the rather curious meunge of parties in the varlous States, we see one set of men stand ing upon State rights, we may consider them politically and practically our friends.
 Applying this test to Illinois, we shall be com- pelled to recognize both Mir. Douglas and his democratic adversaries in that State as our friends. Douglas has always been bitterly hos tile to the fedora! northern sentiment, and sternly strong on the doctrine of State rights. He has always been prominent in denouncng the meddllng spirit of northern fanatics, and almost fierce in his assertion of the full right of each State to carry out it's own ideas of its own policy. In his last speech at Chicago, while he was being daily twitted from behind by the {" Union" with his rebellion last winter, and be- set before and around by anti-slavery fanatics he came out with more than his usual massive strength in favor of the Dred Scott decision and the rights of the slave States generally. How ever grave his error in disregarding the wishes of his party in Congress on the last Kansas bil he Is now at least fighting glorious battle on true democratic ground. It is to be hoped that his democratic opponents will withdraw their opposition and give him their support, or at least leave him to demolish the common ene- my alone. We are glad to see it intimated in various quarters that Mr. Buchanan himself does not by any means approve the course of the "Union' on this point.
 In truth, this is no time for true democrats anywhere, least of all, in the southern States, to be ndulging in personal squabbes. The enemy Is threatening us-we ought to keep good understanding with one another. and unite to sharpen our weapons against him, and him alone.