Des Arc citizen., 1859-07-20
MIR. DOUGLAS IN A NEW CHARAC,
 TER

TER.
 The New Orleans Delta has an article under the above capt ion, from which we extract the following:
 Once MT. Douglas was favorite with the Democratic party. Twice the Dem- ocratic party narrowly escaped nominating him as its candidate for the Presidency. During great portion of his career it looked on him as one of the most reliable, exponents of its principles, its sympathies and it's aspirations. His views on ques- tons of policy or principle were always considered important, and generally be- lieved to be sound. The Democratic party took great interest in MT. Douglas in those days-especially the Southern portion of and was always anxious to know what he thought and how he stood. Things have changed since that time. Positions are reversed. The Democratic party has pretty generally ceased 10 concern itself about MT. Douglas soundness or safety !; but in the meantime MT. Douglas has been getting more and more anxious about the Democratic party's safety and soundness. This feeling has worked a marvellous change in MT. Douglas char acter. It appears to have lamentably modified his ambition, and dampened the ardor of his Presidential aspirations Once he seemed willing enough to take a Democratic nomination without much in- quiry of any sort. Now he has become so scrupulous and fastidious that he could with difficulty be persuaded to accept the Democratic nomination, even should the Charleston Convention lay it at his feet. He must first know that the Democratic party is going 10 take ground identical with that which he occupies. But he seems to fear that this will not be the case. He fears-this unfortunate statesman, fall of memories, but destitute of hopes--that he will be left alone and unhonored on his platform of compromises, and obsolete constructions.
 Now, wien MT. Douglas tries to frighten the public by talking about a Slave Code, he is doing nothing more than finging hard names at their heads. If the claim of the South, that the princi- pie of equality in the Territories be recog- nized, by af1ording the same protection to Southern property that is afforded to any other property, is a just and reasonable claim, it is of little consequence that MT. Douglas calls this demand for Slave Code" To be sure, it is not true that the South has ever asked for Congressional :. Slave Code;" but if this should be the only means of enforcing just claim, and carrying out true principle, then the South would be perfectly justified in mak- ing the demand, whenever she migh. find such course coincident with her in- terests.
 With what purpose MT. Douglas lugged in the question of an increased supply of African labor for the South, we can only explain by those general Northern pro- cIivities which mark his present course. 1 Nobody has shown any desire to make that question party test, or to impose it. in any shape, on the Democratic Conven- ton. Certainly we who think the hope and safety of the South lie ultimately in her own strength and her own convictions would never wish to submit the control ol such question to great party organlza. tion which has other purposes to serve and other afinities to cultivate. No! Mr. Douglas knows very wellthere is no dan ger of any such demand being made upon the Charleston Convention, or the National Democratic party. That question is to be first discussed and settled, so far as settle. ment is practicable, in and by the South But in the meantime Mir. Douglas may gain much credit in the North for this per. fectly gratuitous, and therefore, perhaps the more generous and disinterested avow' al of opposition to something which no