Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-11-08
:. November 8, 1859.


OouuB8 u8o &faue
The Philadelphia Pres thinks it rather curious
that some of the Southern journals. which refuse
to support Douglas for the mex. Presidency, have
expressed Willingness to tnstain Gen. Joe Lane
ofOregon, for the same position. From which wa
are 10 iofer. either that the Press considers Doug
las and Lane on the same platform. or that the
Giants position is better ono for the South than
that of the Oregonisn Senator.
We shall not undertake 10 settle this knoity
point Neither of these prospective candidates
has any claim upon Southern support. and neither
will receive il. Possibly, Of the two evils, Lane
NAV be q shade the lesser. But both nre utterly
out Of the question 20 far the South is concern
ed, for the succession 10 the Presidency.
And In saying this, We are not disposed to dis
mute with the Press either about its own consist
ency. or that of is fayoritc candidate. Mr. ''oug'
la. The Press believes in the doctrine OF 81 uat-
ter Sovereignty. It believes that the people OF
Territory have the right to decide the slavery
ouestiou for themselves. We, on the contrary, in
common with the entire Opposition OF tho South,
a. well as large majority Of the Democracy, de-
nounce and repudiate the doctrine Of Squatter So-
vereicnty, as not only wrong principle OF Gov
eminent in itself. but rs fatal aud destructive 10
the rights Of the Shareholders. But while We thus
Join issue with tho Press upon this point, wo
agree viii, it, unconditionally, tina. the Buchanan
wing of the Democratic party has proven itself in
sincere and inconsistent in this matter Of Squatter
Sovereignty They olamored for the Kansas Bill,
and denounced every man at the South who
would not support it, rs an Abolitionist--andy yet
the Kansas Bill gave official recognition and sol
emn sanction to tho doctrine Of Squattcr Sove'
rcienty. 1t was ON this ground that Gen. Millson,
and some other Southern members OF Congress,
refused to support it. Besides this, Mr. bnchan'
nm. in his letter Of acceptance of the Cincinnati no
mination, approved the principle Of Squattsr Sow
ercignty in the plainest and most unmstakeaolo
terms. In the canvass Of 1855, when we charged
this upon the Democracy. some of them admitted
it and attempted to justify the hcresy wh'lo 9th
ers declared that il was an imma,erial matter IN
view Of the imminenoe of the election of a section
al President.
Tho Press, then, and Douglas, and his coadju-
tors, have adhered to the faith aud been consist
ent, while the other side has changed front.
Could we believe IT was done from honest and sim
but our suspicion of politicians, aud our ds'ruStof
their motives, are great that the presumption is
always in favor Of bad motive rather than good
one. Tho clamor from the South, arising out OF
the loss Of Kansas frightened the President
who never Ind my independence or manlinoss
about anything--aud caused him to turn his back
upon all Of his old professions, md to swallow his
own recent words with the most unseemly glut
tony.
That ia the way the matter stands Mt present,
We would inform the Press that it is waste OF
words to convict tho Administration Of inconsiSt
ency and duplicity. Everybody knows it already
the Administration itsclf. put upon oa,h. would
be compelled to confess H. We are willing to I'D
mi, that 80 far as appearances 60. the change hns
been Tor the benefit Of tho South. But what rcli
ance can the South place. or anybody, or any par
ty place, upon the professions of tricky politicians
or tho present attitude of professional ingglcrs?
They would betray either the South or tho North
or both. upon the slightest suggestion Of marty
individual benefit They have done it many
time in the past, and are ready to do ii many
time in the future. All they want is q chance.
Douglas and Lane are no better than the rest.
They have been more consistent, but they have
been consistent in wrong; and they deserve no
credit for a consistency prompted alone by person
al interest. Either of them would change posi-
ton as readily as the Administration ha lone,
under the same inducements. 1t seems to be i'm
possible for modern politician to be anything
else than.a plastic lump Of humanity, to DO mould
ed into any shape that the popular caprice may
fancy.
The fault is not so much with indviduais-for
human nature has been the same in NIL ugcs-as
with the form of our Government, We have be
come too much Democraticised. Any domagoeuc
who Aatters the people en- masse with praises Of
their virtue and intelligence is not only dcma-
goguc but fool besides. The people can be more
easily deceived in large masses than in small. We
could enumcrate dozen instances within our
own recollection, Of popular guliblity and folly.
And as long as the people are incapable Of reason
ing for themselves, and drawing their own conclu-
sions, it is On absurdity to expect politicians 10 be
honest. The honest ones will be set aside to
make way for the tricksters, gamblers. and stock
jobbers in politics. II the fountains be corrupt
can we expect the streams to DO rureY &c the
people are incompetent 10 reason correctly can We
expect honest men to prevail 10 our National
councils! Let the Press consider these things, il
il would strike at the root Of the matter.
-
Mail Irregularities.
Our subscribers at Salt Greek Post Office, Am
herst county, and Big iasnd. Bsdfard, complain
that they do not receive their papers regularly
Tka ,,av.r, No :nv..;.hl. .~.:l.x - A.: An :