The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-05-18

State democratic organ) 1t appears lhat the
democrats, at their coming convention, will
have a stormy time Of ii. Itthus speaks: .'Whatl
viii We do with it," We mean the question Of.
admitting into the approaching democratic.
State convention a set Of delegates to be irregu-
larIv chosen on the 18th inst, in the city OF.
New Orleans. who stand committed by the re-
cord Of their public acts TO the squatter sover-
eighty doctrines of Stephen a. Douglas. we.
desire to have the mind Of the convention dl-
raged to the subject in advance Of its assem-
bling, SO that no delegate may be u~nprePared
TO meet the issue when it comes up for con
'sideration.
The Odd Fellows hall meeting, the Objects
purposes and sentiments enunciated by the ora
IcIes who figured in it, are not unknown to our
Not content with hurting the most
'unfounded and the most libelous attacks at the
democratic administration and those who sup
port its policy, they proceeded to declare ideas
at war with the established principles
|of the democratic party. The men who did
things are now endeavoring, by a we'll
known political device, to gain q voice in the
councils Of our party. The tools Of their frau
|dulent and counterfeit principles will knock for
admission into our convention as contestants OF
the seats of delegates chosen by the organized
democracy, regularly, fairly and according to
and it will depend upon the ineorrupti-
bile democracy Of the country parishes to say
whether their bogus claims shall be admitted
The question is a simple one: Shall these
IOdd Fellows hall representatives Of squatter
Sovereignty and faction have a voice in our
icouncils? That Is the point 10 be determined
For one, we say never! neveri! To the true
democracy, TOO, we appeal for a sanction OF
.our views. Never let it be said that one of our
conventions has sullied its intelligence and its
integrity BY such innovation and disregard Of
principle.
We write as the conductors of a democratic
paper, and well may our democratic readers
.~aoncur in the necessity which imPels US to do
80 when We find independent papers, journals
,lhat have no direct interest in The success of
3our principles or the welfare of our party, di-
3recting attention to the same obstacle with
which we have TO contend. The subjoined arti-
.cle from the Delta independent is to The point
Tread it, and tell rs ''what else to do with IT.
but follow our advice.
Ifthe democratic convenient to meet at Baton Rouge
lis 10 be body representing the State rights demo
scratic sentiment Of the State, as we'll rs s mere caucus
flor the nomination of candidates, and the dispense
.tion Of patronage, il il to be hoped that it viii make
ssomo clear and emphatic declaration Of opinion on
che questions now before the country. The only
sground on which the democratic party can claim q
sunited southern support is that it IS a southern party
Just so far as southern rights and southern interests
shave become involved in national politics.
This is the basis of the democratic assumption Of
Ian exclusive right to speak for the south But that
sllis exclusive right may secure recognition, something
mose is necessary than an appealt % party history and
Traditional fidelity. We want some evidence tbGl
party history and traditional fidelity are not the mere
points of democratic adhesion to southern
rights. Therefore, it is, that since new and important
Tissues have aFisen-lssues which, if not Important IN
s~practice, are, at least, important as to doctrine, be.
scause they iny0lvethe whole theory Of southern rights
n the tcrritories-;t is proper and necessary for the
convention 10 express q decided and Ineligible opIn-
.ion on these points.
Nor can 1t be supposed that there is no danger in
.leaviug this point undecided, and relying upon the
tendencies of the democratic party, as Ne en-
35odimeut Of the southern rights sentimen Of the
Estate. Though it may be true that the democratic
organization embraces at this moment a large mass Of
pronounced State right 9piaioP il il no LIS true thai
squalifedly 1t contains persons who, while claiming
4o be the only true democrats OF this city, the only
5geuuine representatives Of the democratic party, yei
BOLDLY avow the odious doctrine Of squatter sover
5eignty, and proclaim it to be an integral and essentia
s]p0rtion of the democratic creed.
1 Now, State rights men, before they consent to rusl
switi blind confidence into the embraces Of the demo
scratic party, have a right to know the opinion of the
democratic party, have a right to know the opinion OF
sthe party on this question. They have a right to ask
whether there is any justification for the pretensiof
7set up by the Odd Fellows hall meeting to represent
sthe democratic party, and to establish, rs q funda
mental article Of democratic faith, a doctrine at wal
with every admitted principle Of southern rights ano
Estate, rights. They have a right to demand that this
squestion be settled one way or the other, IN order thai
There may be no shutting ~syasions and trucking com
promises atterward.
If the convention should decide to admit the ODD
Fellows Hall delegation, it will virtually indorse tht
ssquatter sovereignty platform, and thereby assume
position q diverse to thato Of erights men through
s0ut the south. In such a case it would have forfeited
fits claim to peculiar southern orthodoxy, and woulC
have no right TO call for the assistance Of the Stat,
rights party.
4 II, on the DINER mana, JLE convention commence bN
taking the true southern State rights view Of Till.
ana p~roclaiming that view Of this question
sand procLaiming that view to be doctrine of the demo
scratic party, it must exclude the Odd Fellows hal
delegation, on the ground Of the want Of the requisit,
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. principles as understood
land proclaimed by the convention itself.
The Charleston Mercury, one Of the ablest
most valiant and uncompromising champions
gof the southern wing Of the national democra
icy, paints a graphic portrait of the party-onf
(which all readily recognise as true to the life,
ssays the National American, il the following
5~extract which We take from one Of its late edi
@torials. Che Mercury having supported ev.
Jerry democratic candidate for the presidency
fora great many years, is fully authorised ano
squalided to speak as to the character and con
dition Of its party. The Mercury says: 1--WE
have seen nothing in the national democracy
lof late years which challenges our admira
stion, to say nothing of our allegiance. It ha.
stri1ed with constitutional provisions, disregard
led constitutional restrictions, and set at nough
s%positive constitutional injunctions. 1t has aid
ed in the passage Of unjust and unequal laws
has eCuandprad tho nubIc p,opav robho5