Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-09-07
Union of the Odds and Ends.

tnan Democratic Journal recently appealed to the
Register to "look well into the movement now be-
ing made in this State to organize the opposition
party" The Bulletin adds:
ut will not be merely an opposition to the De-
mocracy of North-C arolna-it will serve the pur-
pose of Strengthening the arms of Back Republi-
canism. without any design to do so. The defeat
or the disorganization of true Southern party, at
the South must result in giving to our enemies the
advantage they seek"
10 which the Register replies as follows:
While we gratefully appreciate the kind notice
taken OF us by our Charlotte contemporary, we
must respectfully inform him that we cannot take
his view of the subject in hand. We regard an Op-
position party at the South as emnently necessary
tor the protection of Southern, we'll of nation
al interests As far the institution Of slavery is
concerned, 1T was but the other day that proved
by the undeniabe history of the last twenty-odd
years. that the Democratic party had managed that
subject, not with regard to the preservation and
safety of this institution but with eye to their
own possession of the spoils of the federal govern
ment and demonstrated that under their rule slave
ry had become weaker and weaker The present,
too, is the very last period at which we would think
OF abandoning our Opposition colors." ...
Respectfully and seriously warned by one of it's
own contreres not to strengthen the arms of black
Kepubcanism," the Register responds, declining to
heed the warning and avowing its determination to
persevere in its course. No matter what its "de-
sign" may be, the defeat or dsorganization "of a
true Southern party at the South "-such as the
Democratic party-"must result" as the Bulletin
declares, "in giving to our" black Republican Ten
emies the advantage they seek" If it be true
the Register is constantly declaring but which We
deny, that the Democrats of the North are not to
be trusted on the question of the Constitutional
rights of the South, then the aeho1e North, with an
individual exception here and there is against
What then? Why, in the face of this state of
things which the Register declares exists that pa
per would still further weaken the South by divi-
ding the South! 1t would say to the North, 1T is
true you are all against us, and now are against
each other. We are divided-come over and take
possession. We have no controlling influence in
the government; we appeal to you, brethren of the
opposition in the North, to carry the elections put
down the Democracy and protect the institution of
slavery, which, under Democratic rule, has "become
weaker and weaker" for the last twenty-odd years."
That is the result whatever may be the design, of
the Registers course. Protection to slavery by
1.-THE opposition" with the black Republicans in
power and the South in minority Just such pro-
lection the wolf gives to the lamb or the kite to
the dove.
The Register says the institution of slavery has
"become weaker and weaker" under Democratic
rule. Who believes that During the last twenty
years, and as the result of Democratic action, hum
dreds of thousands of square miles of saveholding
territory have been added to the Union, and added
too against the most strenuous efforts of the Regis
ter and its party to prevent it. Negro men, who in
1910 would not have sold for more than $500, will
now fetch $1,000 Does that prove that the insti-
tuition has "bccome weaker and weakerg" Slavery
was never so popular throughout the civilized world
was never so secure in its existence in the pros
pect OF perpetuatlon ana was never profitable
as it is now. Every intelligent person knoacs this
to be so. And yet under Democratic rule. says the
Register, the institution has "becolne weaker and
weaker!"
The truth is, the Democratic party has not only
added to the Union every foot of slavchodinS terri
tory which has been acquired since the revolution
but it has been the only party which has given to
the institution of slavery adequate Congressional
protection. But for the Democratic party the Mis-
souri, restriction would not have been abrogated nor
the fugitive-slave law passed The old Federal and
the old Wing parties in the free States, uniformly
opposed the acquisition of territory and the extern
sion of slavery. If their policy had prevailed,
slavery would have been confined to seven or eight
States on the Atlantic coast, and would have been
element of disaster and ruin, instead of what it
now is-a source of prosperity and wealth. The
81,
obligations will not permit it to admit the facts. 1t
is carrying out its part of "the opposition pro-
gramme, which is this The national Democratic
party must be broken down. In order to do this,
"Me opposition " North must exclaim against the
Democrats as proslaveryites and slave-drivers while
"the opposition" South must insist that under
Democratic rule slavery has "become weaker and
weaker" In one section the Democrats must suffer
because they extended and strengthened slavery
in the other section they must suffer because they
hare not. Is. not that So Mr. Syme? Meet the
question boldly, and let the facts come out. None
of your fun on a subject of this kind. 1t is too
serious to be treated fippantly or lightly.
81 The Register has way of assuming that the
| STANDARD is in "quandary" or in "tix," on
public questions, and of thereupon sympathizins
extensively with the Standard Webeg the Editor
to bride his imagination, and thereby save his SYM
| pathy. The Standard is neither in "quandary, N
nor in elk" nor at all embarrassed by the pres.
ent or in view of the future condition of the Demo
cratic party. We advise the Editor to keep his
"rattail file" to cut away the collars which will be
put upon Southern Opposition necks by Seward
and Greedy, in case 1.-THE opposition" should sue.
coed in 1860.
We object to the views of Judge Douglas on Ter.
ritorial sovereignty but Judge Douglas himself has
the control of slaves and is sounder OH the question
of slavery generally than any man "the opposition
will nominate for the Presidency in 1860, with any
prospect of success. If Seward be nominated,
"tde opposition will not dare attempt to organize
an Electoral for him in the Sayeholdnp States