The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-08-23
THE DEMOCRACY---NOR AND
SOUTH

is the only National party, having the power and
willingness to afford equal protection to the rights
OF all sectons-he has for years past been a con-
sistent old line whig He remarked that it seemed
strange to him how any Southerner could go
North, hear the abotionists talk, and come back
home and not be a thorough, uncompromis;ng
democrat. Said he, in New Haven and other
cities North, the democrats are abused worse than
dogs, simply for the reason that they cooperate
with that party which recognizes the rights of the
South and favors protection to her institutions
They abuse Buchanan for favoring, as they say,
Southern bondage; and, said he, they use all means
Democrats who have stood up for our rights and
maintained the great principles protection which
the Constitution guarantees to every section.
Now here, every Southern man-and every pa
triot whether North or South-should stop and
reflect. The Democratic party which the Black
Republicans esteem as the only foeman worthy of
their Steel is abused at the North for its alleged
ultra slavery procvitics, and at the South, for its
sympathies with free soilism and for throwing
government patronage into the hands of aboli-
tiOnists. Here is the only party, then, which has
oCcH Ihe MOI anu stay OF CnlS country LOT nalI d
century-bringing it through perils and dangers
to prosperity and greatness and directing the course
of empire westward, until she has become the
joy and beauty of the whole earth--attacked in
front and rear by an Opposition, whose extreme
views and diversity of interests are of sufficient
compass to form common platform of action for
all who determine upon political anarchy and
chaOC hort haD Ordor bv do,
ination of party, the head and front of whose Of
fence is, that it dcprives the opposition of the
spoils!
But this is not all. The party has been stabbed
by those who profess to be its friends. Men have
pretended to construe certain opinions of indi-
vidual democrats a departure by the party from
its cardinal principles; and they have used this as
pretext for setting up on their own hook, and
playing into the hands of the opposition when
they know-and every one knows-that the pro-
motion of self was the real object The principles
of Democracy are the same now that they ever
have been. Side issues and local questions may
arise, upon which individual members of the party
may differ in opinion; but they are tests of
orthodoxy nor do they afford a sufficient excuse
for malcontents to put in jeopardy the success of
the party.
The fact is, there are too many persons claiming
fellowship with the democratic party who mere
hangers-on for promotion. They are very lax
in their construction of democratic principles and
claim latitude which encompass almost every
thing affecting their interests, either directly
indirectly; and where principles are too long they
cat off, and where too short, they stretch! We
%bo rfv tbaSa
that party in whose ranks we have been, ,ciM
honest purpose, from earliest years-whose
principles were taught us in our youth, and for
whose organization and success We have battled
through the heat and burden of the day in our
ripper years-we warn it against the wies of those
in its own ranks, whether protesting to be demo-
Gratis dyed-in-the-wool or otherwise, who, under
cover of freedom of speech and thought, stab the
interests of the party to promote the interests of
self, and have hope of success only in disorganza
ton.
Oul defeat in two Districts in this State is only
Temporary if we arouse to action. The cause does
not lie in change of opinions by democrats-it
is found in that over-confdence which the party
had in former majorities. 1t all be regained,
and more too, if the party will only throw off its
lethargy, drive out disorganizers and arm for the
fight.
We appeal to it then, by the victories of the
past-by the glory and honor attaching to its his
tory-by the temporary defeat of the presently
the hopes of the futurc-by the blessings of Union
and equality--by the hope of preserving involate
the Consttution-in the name of Liberty, civil
and rcligious-we appeal to it to organize and arm
for the contest.
Ra- During the late canvass the charge was
made nv onnosition papers and speakers that the