Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-06

PARTY TESTS AND SIDE IssUEs.-We have read
with pleasure article in the last STANDARD under
the above head. We always see good pieces in that
paper, but this one think is one of the best we
have seen for some time. There is modern mania
of making parties-new ones without name any
distinct set of principles. We find this illustrated
to its fullest extent in that thing called the Opposi
ton. In the North find it anti-slavery, and fear
ing of being in itself too weak. it assumes in some
instances the name of Opposition and in others the
peoples party. In the South it is professedly pro-
slavery, while it courts and whnes for birth-right
amongst the Black Republicans abolitionists. To
drown real issues it adopts selfconstitute and i'm
aginary Expenditures like the wary
thief sets fire to house. not that its contents may
be consumed, but that in the hurry and consterna-
ton of the peaceful inhabitants it may go off
burthened with bunder. This may last for season
but its life is short.
But we did not intend to 60 so far from home, for
we have enough to attract attention here amongst
ourselves We have the same mania raging to an
alarming extent in the straight out and good old De-
mocracy. Side issues and imaginary tests man.
ufactured, and unless theshumble more exalted
followers of the Jeffersonian school be willing to
partake of the doses thus unceremonously and per-
emptorilv administered, he must orsooth be declar
ed hetrodox and his name and memory is to be OBJ
liberated from the party. This is not Democracy.
We do most cm?hatcally assert that no person or
Gratis nor has Democrat any right to respect that
which is made, except in national matters where it
is made by national convention of the party prop
erlv had; or in State matters by legal and proper
State convention.
Suppose we make distinction-suppose we con-
stitute an issue by section Of the party and call
upon all others to support it. what would the effect
be? Most certainly the creation of new and dis
tlnct party
Of IF hat
the present mode of laying the taxes in State is
the democratic mode, and suppose another paper
and another set of men equally interested make the
test of Democracy to consist in ad galoren? 1t is
clear to every mind that it would be disastrous to the
party We are all for the best method, but what
that is, has not yet been settled by the party So
soon as shall have been settled to the satisfaction
of the Democratic people, then there will be no diff
ference of action or opinion.
Take the Cuba matter; every Democrat is for the
acquisition of the island but every not of the
| same opinion as to the best method We speak for
ourselves, and say that if the thirty million bill
can in any way facilitate its purchase we will go for
| it. We have been told and believe it would enable
the President to open negotiations, and if So arc
absolutely for it. We can at the present time see
no better way of accomplishing the desired end and
consequently have supported it and will continue
to do so until we convinced of the contrary
But although we favor it do not profess to take
upon ourselves the responsibility of saying in the
day thou eatest (not thereof thou shalt surely be
cut off from all communion and fellowship in the
party.
1t is not our intention to make this matter the
burthen of our writing. We have enough issues
to contend for and support, without creating neat
ones.
The evil of this thing of creating side issues may
be seen in certain portion of our Western Demo
crazy, where a railroad IS made the test ane
where the great national principles Of the party
come in only as secondary consideration.
Were we to choose our ground Of battle it woult
be the principles of the party, not the principles
ideas of portion of the party. Surely we hav'
many opponents without seeking to create new one
amongst ourselves nor need we hunt up an honora
BILE in our own ranks for we may still find some
scattered though they be, amongst the Philistines
Let the party ignore side issues, and hold tenaci
ously to the faith of our fathers-and we will sue
coed; but create new creeds, which have no con
nection with the great questions Of the party, an
our word for it. its success is Individually Gan
Gilman.