Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-22
PARTY TESTS.

Tbsrs ara certain grea. principles which, since the
orsspi, alton of our government, have constantly
characterized and contradstinguished political par
ties in this country. Those principles are always d.
.c,y related to the respective powers claimed under
them for the Federal government and for the several
States And they alone are the true party tests In
.b pl,ifsrious aspects necessarily assumed by po-
,,cal questions of peculiar character, it may be
sometimes difficult to discriminate between Inc apPa,
rent e1psdiency of measure and the pohcy Po'n'eu
ON, by those csn6us Of the Constitution which are
e:aesmen and patriots as the magnetic neeule "
tbs mariner. When the political cond'tion VI '"e
coantry is comparatively quiet; when the que'.'a'
before the people, before Congress and the Aapn'ns
.,s,;on ara such AZ to indicate at once, the Posf
ton. n bs taken upon them by every man OF either
,,,v ,hora IA no danger of embarrassment and mis-
.,,rsho,,,on and confusion. The two opposing par
,s Grange themselves readily, each under ito separate
,.n,sr and ON it's own ground, apart from the other
M, ,vbsn tina skies are clouded when new and in-
,;,s,o ;.sues en.snelsd in web OF dscursve debate
and obscured rather than eluc;dated by tue o'neien
view. from the thousand stand points from WHICH noS
ors looked at, are brought up Us party ee''S' 10
nsi,her unnatural nor alarming. that there snou!o
something of disorder In the ranks or discrepancy Oh
o,;n;on among the members even Of an organisation
wbo,s PRINCIPLES are as prominent before the "mlna
a. ,hs mountsns are distinct from the vaieys,
and vbo.s proudsst boas, ls the undertaking devotion
With which it has always adhered to the tensts OF j"
faith Mpch less is there ground for apprehension
an account of such differences when on examination
thew prove to be the results OF the same mohSeS ne
same nearing, the came purpose anu tor the same
object.
II advocacy of the Lecompion Constitution Is to Do
made the touchstone Of Democracy now, We "ouiu
Iks 10 bs informed what Is ts tho nett party se'
The Kansas question may be settled soon. we
bs.r,;lv .rust that it will. But whether It be done
TO-DAY or TO- morrow this yesr the next We would
AJAX Of the d:sorgsnsers, who would e1communicate
every Democrat differing from the Administrator In
regard to It, if they propose re.construotion OF Tue
os-,y az often as gres: question is ADJUSTED po
thew look upon the Democratic party a. an organ~s'
,;on bs,ed Upon measures instead OF prlncipiea-ah
organic alton founded for temporary purposes sno
bsld ,oeethe. by q community Of sentiment OF 6
angle uestion Of the day, and that TOO, win reie
renee not to the principle involved but altogether 10
the measure proposed II 80, they are incucaliog
uicidsl doctrine. They are denying the origin The
sss,nce. and the object of Democracy. They are
tearing away the cornerstone of the edibce they
occupy.
Tho Democratic party has arrived at a critical pee
Rod in lite history. The American people ha9s af'
rived at critical period in their history TOO. ais
Organization of the Democracy now must insv''aoy
end speedily lead to disruption OF the Union. Aue
one would follow the other "a surely as night success
nav. And for our part we would not separate me
ssouencs from the cause II We could; tor woen tue
Democratic party is disorgsn'zsd, Black kepnoh-
cs,;sm must triumph and when that takes place. the
,,,x ,sf.tv for the South will be in secession. we
bsvs not vet LOST our regard for the Union. we
vos!d perpetuate it if possible. Bui NO wouo ro'
kreel at an altar that is desecrated ano MOCK 'oe
Creator by doing reverence to symbol OF sacrdege'
in the name of religion. We would not corrooora'e
the imputaton of falsity upon self'government' oy
scouiescnp In such an outrage upon the Constitution
os the United States q, would be perperated IN ,he
TRANSFORMATION of an abolition executive. We ~ouid
.oo,er ,bow TO the world that constitutional liberty
:, D,aetcable by establishing separate republican
the same basis of principles promulgated BY the
eound.rs of the confederscy. We would preserve
,ha ITo;o, nv making the South secure. And to both
these patriotic ends, the Democratic party alone Is
All.
YOU destroy the defence of the slave States and dis
solve the Union. Hence Wa hold that now Is the
time, no, for impstuosity rashness and violence oa'
for calm dsiiberatien, moderate remembrance e'io
wise forbearence the part Of those Democrats tbat
differ, not upon priaople. but upon mere measure
os s1oedsucy-the m.aas Of enforcing the Prtnc'o!e
upon which they all concur. Dissens'on IN the pe.
noc,.tic party especially c. this juncturs may prove
fatal 70 its fortunes in 1861.
Our readers are aware that we cordially ap'
prove the Presidents position on tho Kansas qaes'
t;on-tha. we earnestly and jealousy adVooa'e
tie acceptance Of the Lscompton Const.'u.
ZION. Bot We will not join in maledic'iohs
ars,ns. those Democrats. who dissent from our
osn end tho yiews Of the Administration on th's
,n.s,ion. We believe them to be sctusted ny tho
nronptines OF patriotism. And the day may not DO
when their service. will be needed both oy th-
President and the country lie: Us remember the ha'
fought battle of 49, Let Us look back upon our pas;
a,,uoole, in a common csuss agaus; the enemies OF
,he South LIE. us not be unmndful that there If q
future bsfors us; that the Black Republicans are
united and that division in ranks must lnevita
bly, nve them to sasy victory over US in the next
Presidential contest.
Democrats may differ upon neasures-out thsy
should never divide except upon principles Let them
beware then Of Improper party tests in tlmas Ike
these.
THIS DAY,-Tte unprecedented crowds in TIE
hotels and boarding houses and private Residences
ths thropc IN the s,reets-,he waving plume and
shining uniform 10 be seen in every part of the City
indicate that to day will be the most brilliant and
of p;nhp Az writ
the cum shines out sweety-the barSinger of bright
and delightful celebration to-day, when native elo'
auence and poetry, ard music vii! be blended In
beautiful accord, TO do honor TO Vrgnias greatest
sop, and to Crawford. the noblest Of American
srtsis.
So far ss We can learn the following guesis Of the
State have reached the city:
At The American Hotel-Senstor r. II. L. Hunter,
the Orator of .he Day; J. Barron Hope, E.q. Poei;
Vim. L. Yanosy, Esq, of Alabams Gov. Newell,
OF New Jersey: Gov. Holley, of Connecticut, Mrs.
H., aid and private Secretary.
IOher Governors had accepted but, We :esrs: 10
say, felt compelled by public duties or individual in.
disposition. at the las: moment to And excuses for
their absence.
At Other pldees-Seoretary of War, John B. Floyd
OF Judge w. w. Crump's; Senator j. N. Mason. at
Mr.. James Lyons; Gen. Winfield Scott, at the Ell.
charge; Edward Everett, Esq, at Mrs. R. C. Sta
cards: John A. Washington, Egg. at Mr.. g. A. My.
e.'s; VIM. C. Rives and L. w. Washington, Eeq's.,
9. Mr.. w. II. Maofarland's
Mrs. Crawfcrd-with her two eldest daughters
Invited CUES. Of the State, is the guest Of Msjor
McAlsters. of the u. s. Army.
This morning. there will be grand procession
with Masonic ceremonies, odes and orstory around
the Monument-a State dinner in the new Post Ofice
ct 6 o'clock-splerdid illumination and fireworks.
and Bal, at the Ballard Hou.e.
At l o'clock tomorrow, Mr.. Everett's great
Washington Grafton" will be delivered at the The
stte, with presentation, by Col. c. ". Mnnsord of