The Van Buren press., 1859-11-18
Tho Democratic Party and the
Opposition

IT IN their Contributions OIL money Tor the
purchase of arms and munitions, in the
procurement of men, and in sending them
from the North TO make war upon the peace
and the institutions of the South. Their
under ground railways, stump speeches,
pulpit orations. lectures and newspaper es-
says. all exhibit an unpardonable intermed-
ding in the affairs of the Southern States,
that if not rcbuked in the North. must lead
ultimately TO dismemtermcnt of our glo-
rious republic.
There is a powerful minority party in
the Northern States. struggling for the su-
premacy OF the Constitution and the pres
ervation of the Union Its organization
has been maintained and handed down
through all vicissi,udes. 1t still bears in
the breeze the banner of the country and
invites all patriots TO rally beneath its folds.
Upon the triumph of that party depends
the safety of the Union. That party small
as.i is. holds together the confederation of
these States. Its representatives in the
Senate AMI House of Representatives stand
as solid barrier between Black Republic
can traitors AMI the control of the govern
ment. Whenever that little heroic band
is struck down and the enemies of the con
stitution get into power at the Federal seat
of government. the death knell of the I'm
ion will have sounded.
| The party we have reference to is the
Democratic. an integrant Of the great dem
cratic party of the country. Emulated by
a regard for the Constitution and the rights
of all the States. northern, democrats have
been battling against all the odds of sec
tional preiidices. fanaticism and loc3 pow
er and influence. Frequently they have
been borne down and crushed out OF sight
but their unerring fidelity AMI constancy
have sustained them in the good cause. and
they rise again and again. We see by tn,
ipress Of the country, that they are thor
ouShly organized, energetically at work
and sanguine of success.
What is the duty of the South, whose
interests are most at stake, in this crisis :
this last strike for the Constitution and the
Union? The contest of 60will decide
the fate of the Black Republican party. 1t
will either ride triumphantly into power
and commence tn. mischievous work of
trampliny upon the South and goa,ling it
into separation from her sisters of the
North or the Democratic party will tri-
lumph over it and scatter its legions of trait
ors beyond all hope of their doing evil
hereafter. Shall we march up to the Fed
eral Capital in one solid array, under the
banner of the only party. that at present
floats. which can secure the rights of the
South or shall we so divided. with a
small faction of Opposition at our heels,
ready to enter into combinations with the
Opposition of the North, to thwart and de-
feat the measures of the administration
Every man elected to Congress by the OPP
position in the South, is comforter to the
Northern Oppositionst or Black Republ-
can, the end and aim of whose labors are
ihe destruction of Southern Institutions
Every vote cast against the democratic can
,iidates, is SO much aid and comfort Civ
N to our enemies. Every attack made up
m the Democratic administration is a blow
n unison with the assaults of the Black
Republicans. But we are told that the Op-
position of the South. is the incorruptable
party that stands upon pure undefled,
conservative platform that the good men of
all sections can stand upon. and that they
invite the conservatism of the North to Join
them in their efforts to regenerate the coun-
iry. We ask them where is that conserva-
tism in the North > Is it the Democratic
party if so why not join that party.
Will they say it is the northern Opposition
the Black Republicans and do they
propose to unite with that reasonable par
.tty? Then, where is the Southern Opposi-
ZION to go? The recent elections in the
Southern States. prove that they compose
but Small faction, incapable of doing any
good upon their own platform but capa-
bic of doing much good in the ranks along
Sluc OI tIclr uemOcratlc brethren. Their
CO. operation with the democratic party, in
Congress, will enable them to elect Speak
Ter, form committees AMI organize nation
al majority.
| What can the Southern Opposition effect
by maintaining separate organization ?
They can prevent Black Republican or
: ganization, and in doing so they will be
serving their country. They can prevent a
Democratic organization in what way
will that serve their country? The next
Congress will be eithe: Democrats or Black
Republican. One or the other it will be,
and it will rest with the Southern Opposi
ton to say which.
We think. after the late demonstration
at Harper's Ferry, that the Southern mind
is prepared to expect the worst from the
Republicans and it should indeed be i'm
pressed upon all, that the time for small
political manuvering for a few petty offices,