Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1859-10-01
TIE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.

democrats OF the South. lie takes
bis stand upon the principle of Popu-
lar Sovereignty, III the broadest and
most literal acceptation Of the term:-
and he intends to secure the open, ex-
|plicit and uncompromising adhesion of
the Northern Democracy to the same
position. In other words he means to
go to Charleston as the unmistakable
Representative Of the Democratic par
ty Of the North, and in that capacity
to claim his own nomination at the
hands of the South, as absolutely es-
sential to the success Of the party and
the protection Of Southern rights.
Whatever may be thought Of its
wisdom, nobody can deny the bold
ness or the manliness Of this course Of
action. 1t stands in most creditable
contrast with the policy hitherto deem
ed absolutely essential to the success
of a Presidential candidate. 1t is
difficult to recall the time when any
aspirant for that Office profted BY
frankness, or gained his point without
concealing his opinions. Mr.. Polk Sc
cured his nomination by being less
frank than his competitors, and his
election by being more double-faced
than his opponent. General Taylor
sought the nomination by protesting
not to want it; and Mr.. Clay was de-
feated because he allowed everybody
to see that bis heart was set upon his
own success. Gen. Pierce was nomi-
mated by the Democrats, in 1852, be-
cause he was unknown as politician,
and Mr.. Webster was set aside by the
Wings because he had not the same
good fortune. Mr.. Buchanan became
the Democratic candidate in 1856
mainly because his long absence from
the country had concealed the intrin-
sic baseness Of his personal character
from the knowledge OF his friends,
and his political corruption from the
knowledge Of the public and Col.
Fremont became the nominee Of the
Republicans because, as a politician,
he was equally unknown to all parties
and to every section of the country.
We are not in the least surprised,
therefore, to find Mr.. Douglas assailed
on every side as the embodiment of
rashness. The Buchanan organs very
naturally regard his frankness and
honesty in the avowal of his opinions
as equivalent to suicide,-and they are
already holding their inquest upon his
body. The Administration cannot
understand how a politician can be
honest, and live. 1t is a phenomenon
quite out of the ordinary experience
Of political parties. Nor is it, indeed,
quite certain, as things go, what will
be the result of it. The South has a
natural repugnance to dictation, and
she may prefer being beaten to being
bullied. If her politicians take coun.
sci Of their resentments, they will not
take Douglas as their candidate ;-if
they look to their interests, instead of
their passions, they may come to a
different conclusion. If they nom;-
nate Wise, Hunter, Stephens, or any
such man, upon the Southern platform,
Mr.. Seward, or any other man the Re-
publicans may nominate, viii! carry
every Northern State. There are
some Of the Southern politicians echo
seek that result as the most direct route
to their coveted have,e-Disun;on.-
There are others who do not believe
it possible, and who do not feel bound ,
therefore, to take any steps TO avoid
it. But there IS a ve,.y large number
Of sagacio,ts, patriotic and influential
public men IN the Southern States ,cho
do apprehend such an issue, and ,oho
are open advocates Of the nomination
Of Mr.. Douglas as the surest means of
averting 1t, and 1t Is not at all ,s,,-
likely their Numbers eeiU steadily in-
crease.
The Republicans, very naturally
and very wisely, seem inclined to
await the result Of this movement of
the Democratic party before taking
any action themselves. If the South
does not yield to the pressure brought
to bear upon them, and refuses to nom
mate Mr.. Douglas, the Republicans
will feel strong enough to enter the
field with any candidate whom they
may prefer. In that case Mr.. Sew
ard will unquestionably be their nomi-
nee-for in point Of ability, public SER
vice; party claims and political posi-
ton, no other member of the party
can enter into competition with him.
He stands clearly and unmistakably at
the head of the Republican party, and
will ho ont;t1a1 RI thar nnn;no<;on
under any circumstances which shall
give personal ability and public SER
vice . fair claim to consideration. 1t
j. by no means certain, moreover, that
the Republicans could nominate any
candidate who would poll more votes
under any circumstances than Mr.,
Seward. 1t is quite true that his po.
litical career has laid the basis for q
much more vigorous opposition than
could be arrayed against a less promi.