Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-17
Union of the Opposition.

Nj Rptts. nj the TtCtut w uG
mond, command our hear,iest approval. VI"
Mr.. Bolts, we believe it to be the pa'rio''e ana
bounden duty of the Opposition, to ''rn " nh'o'
in the approaching Presidential contest iher'
is not only no good reason why the elements OF
oppositiou should not unite now, but ON tho con
tsnry there are many conclusive reasons why thoy
should harmonize to expel the party from power
which has bankrupted the Treasury; prostratea
every great interest; and involved the country IN
complications. which they are conisssediy, nhe'
ounl to remedy. The agitation oi the slavery
o,os,;on has heretofore been the chlel reliance oi
the Locofoco party. The hypocraey aud 'oscal'ty
of the party, in this regard. has been mace mani
fest 10 the dullest comprehension, and all future
efforts to ,se that weapon against the"rpohent- OF
Imposition" will recoil upon themselves. This
humbug being exploded. let Us come together to
redeem the country first. and then, III "A spirit oil
enlar ,ed patriotism and foreearance. endea,or to
meet whatever ~oxigency may DO presented alter
wards.
There is no question, in our mind, but TINT n
large majority Of the people Of this country are IN
their hearts tired and Disguised with the rule "i
this shameless, reckless, aud unprincipled thing
called Democracy. The divisions ct sentiment
which obtain anlol- Members Of the party, AMI
the open mutiny cti,h is raging among ITS Own
camp officers and camp foIIowers-tlo bitter to be
reconciled by the powerful palacea oil the pnbiic
nlupder. are ~,oge,ler ab,ut to make its d's"rgani-
zation inevitable. Never "a a mere favorable
opportunity presented for an easy and enduring
victory. The popular mind Is convinced "i TIM
fact, aud we sincerely believe the popular heart
deyoutly yearns for the consntnmattpn. For sefc-
eral years past, the opponents a the i"eoi"f'
party have been lameutahly deficient IN the mat
ter Of organization. this has beea tie true cause
OF their successive delicate. Nhateyer may be
the demorali4atlon uf the Democracy rs a party,
if the Opposition shall still refuse or ncsleei t.
come to the work Of organization earnestly aud
efcctually, all their advantages vii lac thrown
away, and key mag expect +, b. aSain d"'eaic'.
The cloriuus result o. Tie Lat State election IN
Peapsy,yania. demonstrated the strength oi II
united opposition, nnd at the same tine mnle
m%snifcst, the fact, that gni mer can. FIR the time
being, surrender prejudices, when ~lat.vue con
sideIations demand the sacrifice.
There is no earthly possibility of t change do
ing any harm, and every probability that incalcu'
liable good may be effected. We sincerely hope,
that moderate counsels may prevail, and that at
the next Presidential election tho Opposition will
present an unlroken front to the enemy. Democ-
racy is vulnerable At every point, and with proper
effort put forth, n most glorious victory awaits us.
Atno period since its existence, has the conduct
of Democratic rulers and leaders been ST. fragrant
and reckless. Avid and nnbridled extravaganza
has marked every day of Mr.. Buchanan's admin
istration. With this single exception, the party
Is settled in no one course of policy; but is. and
always has been, divided upon all of the leading
questions which have agitated the country. For
and against the tariff; for and against u gold and
silver currency; for and agains, internal improve
ent; always against distribuiion-though it has
given away more public land 70 Democratic States
than has ever been sold: . rand agninstC Cuba; for ind
n.ainst 4iibustering: and a. a.ltimated tat the be-
giuning Of this paragraph. is = unit On but two
things, the word '.Deinocracy' aud the spoils Of
Office.
With u clear nominal majority uf t~psnty-sir in
the House of Representatives, the Administration
is confeascdly unable to carry through n single
measure, even the civil and diplomatic biH had l.,
60 through a fiery ordeal Of opposition and
amendment, and was once rejected before it was
permitted to go to the Senate.
10 show our readers. that we have not magnifed
the discussions existing in the party, we refer to
the numbcrless constructions placed on that inter
estlng specimen of handi work the Cincinnati
Platform. AS we have remarked on many former
occasion, it is wholly made up of carefully stud
led and Intended dnbiguities. We have always
contended that 1t was p~urposely made susceptible
OF q double Interpretation, to be understood one
way in or sc stion Of the Union. and q totally dic
ferent way in another s~sction; and it has cuntinu
ally, and is now understood and interpretel !,
different ways by the most intellectual aud distin
gnishcd leaders Of the party. Take the case q
Mr.. Buchanan by way of Illustration. Upon hi
nomination at Cincinnati, be, it viii, te rcmer
bored. reso'red himself into tie r 1!J1,m. But. l.
and behold, in carrying ont "the dogmatic cree
Of the party ms expounded in the Platform. acco,
ding 10 his understanding and Interpretation [
the structure, he finds himself at issue with tn
Southern Democracy-who also swear BIZ the Plat
i"rm-upon some Of the most important measure
officially recommended by him to Concress-th
principles For instance by which The tariff shout
be regulated, and aid afforded by the Genera! Go,
erament Tor the construction Of works Of interns
Improvement. He processes to he devoted TO iii
preservation Of State rights. He, no Doubt. ipte,
prets the Cincinnati Pla'fors, IA a States rigb,
Platform And standing un The Platform. as
State rights man he recommends to cingress III
passage Of a bank bankrupt law. which recon
msndatien 10 viewed by the States rights men
the South gcnernlly-tlere are some exceptions
As the most States rights proceeding that es
lie conceived Of.