Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-06-29
Side Issues.

If it be true-and it is true-that "a frequent re-
currcnce to fundamental principles is absolutely
essary to preserve the blessings of liberty" it is also
true that argd and constant adherence to wellknown
and wedefined principles is absolutely necessary to
preserve and perpetuate that party without which
the Constitution and the Union themselves would
soon cease to exist The Democratic party is never
in so much danger when it loses sight of its great
cardinal principles, and suffers itself to be embar
rasscd with what are called side issues There is
absolute safety outside the plain road marked out in
the Constitution and blazed by the good old Demo-
cratic axes of Jefferson and Jackson Whenever we
are in doubt must look first to the Constitutions
next to the opinions and acts of the founders of The
party who took part in the formation of the Con-
sttution and next to the resolutions of State and
national conventions. To the principles and opn-
ions enuncated in these latter bodies it is expected
that every good Democrat will adhere provided these
principles and opinions Go not conflict with his
scientous construction of the federal Constitution
The Constitution is the source Of and is above all
parties; and no party can, therefore, bind citizen
to do act or to give vote which he honestly be-
lieves to be unconstitutional. Much less can mere
men bind party to any thing which has 10 war
rant either in the Constitution in the platforms.
The Democratic party is tolerant, ndulgent inde-
pendentpa So far from dscouraging free thought
and unreserved expression of opinion, it seeks to
promote both; only requiring that great principles
shall be departed from contravened and thatall
its members shall support such nominations as are
fairly made in conventions and caucuses.
Side issues, or such issues as the party in conven-
ton has omitted or declined to make, must not be
urged as party tests nor should those who present
these issues be denounced ccnsured, provided they
are true in all respects Democrats
Every Democrat, for example, would like to see a
Railroad constructed to the Pacific. Some Demo
Gratis think the government possesses the Constitu
tonaI right to construct the Road or to aid in its
construction, while others deny the right Why
should they fall out about this difference of opinion?
1t is Constitutional question: question on which
the party does not seek to bind its members.
Then, as to specific duties We all maintain that
the revenue necessary to support the government
should be raised by tariff on imported goods. We
all favor tariff for revenue with incidental protec-
ton to American industry; we make revenue the
where in the whole country, is the advocate of pro-
lection for projections sake That's the federal doc
trne and the Democrats of Pennsylvania are as
much opposed to it as we are. But in laying the
tariff difference of opinion arises as to NODES
| Some contend-and among them President Bu-
chanan-that some of the duties ought to be spe-
ciic-that is arbitrary, fixed, not ad ualorem, not
II: of fbo 1yhi1a
others hold that the only true principle is the ad ca
lorem, and that, in framing tariff, this principle
should never be departed from. Both sides think
they have good reasons for their opinions and both
are honest. Both opposed to protection for pro-
tectons sake and differ only as to the naOde of raj
sing revenue. Why should they fall out about this
difference of opinion? Let them agree to disagree.
They one as to the measure ITSELF and differ only
as to tie mode After all, tariffs not the clear
est and simplest pieces of legislative workmanship.
They are always more or less complicated difficult to
bemposedas they should beimposed and hardly ever
entirely satisfactory in their operations to those who
labor most in framing them.
Next as to Cuba: We are all for the acquisition
Of the island on fair and honorable TERMS but we
Some think the best plan is to wait that the pear
When ripe, will fall into our lap, especially if the
tree be shaken little now and then Others think
The best plan is to place money-say thirty millions
Of dollars-n the hands of the President, and re-
quest him, whenever a suitable opportunity offers,
70 close the bargain with Spain, and then to report
'ae result to the Senate. These, then are the two
plans All of hot and xUa 7r1U
nave Cuba at some future day; all Of us agree that
" Spain should attempt to sell it to any European
power Or to Africanize it by emancipatng the slaves
On the island, we ought to take it at once on the
ground of sefpreservaton and treat about it after
S'fds Agreeing as to the great object in view, why
"oud Democrats fall out about the means Of attain
.St! There is nothing in the Cincinnati platform
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