Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-06-25
Side Issues.

essary to preserve the blessings of liberty" it is also
true that rigid and constant adherence to welknown
and welldefned 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 as when it loses sight of its great
cardinal principles, and suffers itself to be embar-
rassed with what called side issues. There is no
absolute safety outside the plain road marked out in
the Constitution and blazed by the good old Demo-
cratic axes of jefferson and jackson. Wheneverwe
are in doubt we must look first to the Constitution;
next to the opinions and acts of the founders of :he
party, who took part in the formation of the Con-
stituon; and next to the resolutions of State and
national conventions. To the principles and opin-
ions enunciated in these latter bodies it is expected
that every good Democrat will adhere provided these
principles and opinions do not conflict with his con-
scientious construction of the federal Constitution
The Constitution is the source Of and is above all
parties; and no party cam therefore, bind citizen
to do act to give vote which he honestly be-
lieves to be unconstitutional Much less can mere
men bind party to any thing which has TO war
rant either in the Constitution or in the platforms
The Democratic party is tolerant indulgent, indie
pendent party So far from free thought
and unreserveG expression of opinion it seeks to
promote both; only requiring that great principles
departed from contravened and thatall
its members shall support such nominations as are
fairly made in conventions and caucuses
Side issues, such issues 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 censured provided they
are true in all respects as 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 a 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 a tariff on imported goods. We
all favor tariff for revenue, with incidental protec
ton to American industry; we make revenue the
OBJECT protection the incident No Democrat, any
where in the whole country, is the advocate Of pro
lection for projections sake That is the federal doc
trlne, and the Democrats of Pennsylvania are as
much opposed to it as we are. But in laying thu
tariff difference >of opinion arises as to nodes
Dome contend-and among them President Blu
chanan-that some of the duties ought to be spe
cllc-that is, arbitrary, fixed, not ad oalorem, no
rising or falling with the value of the articles while
others hold fhaf thn r0
'0rem and that in framing tariff This principle
Should never be departed from. Both sides thinl
they have good reasons for their opinions and boil
are honest. Both opposed to protection for pro
'ectons sake and differ only as to the mode Of raj
sing revenue. Why should they fall out about thi
uherence of opinion? Let them agree to disagree
lhey are one to the measure ITSELF and differ on
est and simplest pieces of legislative workmanship
iney are always more or less complicated difficult
oeimposedas they should beimposed and hardly eve
enely satisfactory in their operations to those VIII
noor most in framing them.
Next, as to Cuba: We are all for the acquisition
VI the island on fair and honorable terms, but "
ulner as to the mode or modes of acquiring it,
some think the best plan is to wait; that the pea,
"nen ripe will fall into our lap, especially if tn
Tree be shaken little now and then. Others thin
%e oest plan is to place money-say thirty million
VI oollars-in the hands of the President and n
aues' him, whenever suitable opportunity offer
close the bargain with Spain, and then to repo
"e result to the Senate. These then, are the tn
pans' All of US agree that we must and we ri
sse Cuba at some future day; all Of us agree tn
opan should attempt to sell it to any Europea
p0"er or to Aricanize it by emancpating the slay,
VI 'ne island, We ought to take it at once on IL
SOUND Of selfprcservaton, and treat about it ate
"fos Agreeing as to the great object in view, WI
should Democrats fall out about the means of attai
s .' There is nothing in the Cincinnati platfor
"n'ch requires Democrats to advocate any partic
ID plan for epsaiaing Cnbess Neither Presiden,
h h'r members 4 congrss nor Deadr.tic journs
r nave the right presq democratic tests tn
s 81, mas been Entrusted 81 the Democratic peop
@' national conventions. and national convention