Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-20
Gbs StanDarb.
RALEIGH SATURDAY, JULY l6, 1859.
HOLDEN WILSON, STATE PRINTERS,
Fruits of Democratic Principles.

Fruits of Democratic Principles.
Ifan intelligent foreigner, unacquainted with the
history of this country and uninformcd as to the
giant strides to greatness and glory which it has
made since 1879, were to meet member of "the
opposition" and ask him to narrate this history to
hun and to tell him the extent of territory over
which the flag Of the Republic floats, the cop
postonist" would take up and dwell upon the sub
cc with honest PRIDE and, after exhausting his elo-
Qaence in describing our past and present condition,
would point him to the future, and bid him behold
in Imagination new States rising in every direction
and attaching themselves to the American Union,
and new achievements in government in diplomacy,
in science in arts, and in arms, shedding increased
iStre on our national character. But suppose the
foreigner should in the simplicity of his heart ask
the "oppositonist" upon what principles and by
whom this greatness and glory had been achieved, -
what would the "oppositionist have to say?-
Why, that it was all to be ascribed to Democratic
principles, and to Democratic Presidents and Demo
cratic Congresses. This is the truth of history and
the "oppositionst," if an honest man, would be OBJ
ged to admit it. Every acre Of territory added to
the country since 1889, has been added by the Dem
Ocratc party. Every new star that shines on
our national ensign, has borrowed its lustre
from fountains of Democratic light. Louisiana
vast Mississippi valley-the mouth of the Missis-
sippi-Florida- California, New Mexico
ALL all are the fruits of Democratic principles and
Democratic policy. There is no stopping place for
nations. They must either grow or decline. Call
it what you will" manifest destiny or "the ex-
tension of the area of free Institutions" the in
vncble energy of the American race-the Re-
public must continue to grow, or ceasing to grow it
will commence to decline. No party has so thorough
ly understood, so thoroughly acted upon this
truth the Democratic party. The same party
and the same policy which have already added mil
lions of square miles to our territory, will, in the
Mexico, and such other countries as it may suit us
to acquire 1t is not material what means are EN-
poyed in obtaining territory, so the means be hon.
orable in themselves and just towards other nations
and the past history and present policy of the Dem
ocratic party in this respect furnish the strongest
assurance that we need entertain no apprehensions
on this score "Where there is wiU there is a
L
principles, the "way" will follow as matter of
course.
But the Democratic party has shown itself as wise
in developing and improving as it has been bold in
acquiring. Every law of Importance on the statute
book has been passed by the Democratic party.
We were told at one time by our opponents, that
the country would go to decay and that all its great
L D.,
net established and high protective tariff kept
steadily in operation but time and experience have
demonstrated the fallacy of this opinion, and the
country has continued to prosper with revenue
tariff and without mammoth bank. Revenue te
the amount of seventy millions of dollars per annun
is received and disbursed by the government itself
without the aid of banks, with such system, such
regularity, and such fidelity that not one dollar il
lost while the infusion of so much specie into oul
circulation has had the most salutary effect in limit
ing excessive bank issues and in invgorating thu
business of the country generally. In word, tn
country grous and prospers under Democratic rule
Every body sees and feels that it prospers. Ant
yet the people called upon--not to rejoice il
this prosperty-not to do justice to the men whos'
measures have, for the most part, produced it-no
to continue it. by adhering to the principles and t.
the men to whom they owe it; but they are asked
undo the present. to ignore the past to cast thu
lessons of experience to the winds, and to confde il
new men with no well-defned principles and whose
only reason for the course they pursuing is tina
they are opposed to the Democrats! Will the peo
pie do this? We think not. Some Of them may
not be entirely satisfied with every thing the Demo
cratic party has done; but they will not on that ac
count, abandon their principles or discard those pub
lie men who have been faithful Some of them may
not entirely agree with the President in everything
he recommends but as long he is faithful to tn
Constitutional rights of the South and as long as hi
maintains the exalted character for honesty and in
tegrity which he possessed when they voted for him
and which has already become portion of the his
tory of the country, they soiU stand by him.
The country has had, once or twice, taste Of tn
fruits of Wing principles. TAey were bad enough
without the tincture which we are offered now o
"higgery, black Republicanism, and Know Moth
ingsm. Such dose would, if often repeated b.
Death to the body polite. Let us, then, stand b.
The old Democratic party; and let us stand in al
our Congressional Districts by the men who bea
It's flag If that party cannot govern the country
protect our liberties and perpetuate the Union, NJ
other basty can.