Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-04
How the Negro Agitation" has been used
by the Democratic Party. for effect

any DhuI, VINO Knows any tnlnS Ot p3ru-
Eau history, k"ows tW ~clI that. since $40,
the Democracy South has never failed TO
make handle of the negro qucstion-novcr
hesitatcd to proclaim itself the especial
champion-thc sole guardian Of slavery: and
never hesitatcd 10 charge upon the opposite
party either inimcal views and purposes in
reference to that institution, or such an in
difference to it's growth and we'll being. as 10
make it matter of extreme doubt, whether
they ought not to be expelled i'll a body from
the domains of the Sunny South ~ Oh .
the unconquerablc affection the Dcmocra-
tic speakers and editors felt for this doubly
glorious and thrice blessed institution Oh.
the unimpcachablc fidelity, the answering
devotion with which they were prepared to
cling to its fortuncs-thc more closely as
those fortunes became more desperate. OH,
the countless myriads Of Democratic patriots
who not only poured out their breath, and
their ink, III opposing the aSgresslons Of
Abolitionism, but who--if we are to believe
them-were not only ready, but anxious Ia
build a rampant with their dead bodies a.
gainst its farther progress Southwark. -
Words cannot tell. nor heart conceive nor
mind imagine, the pure, steadtast affection
that Democracy entertained for slavery rs a
social, moral and political Institution; or the
holy horror the bitter rage. the utter loathing
they each and every one felt against aboli-
tionism. or abolition liberation. in any form
or in any degree: or the terrible anathemas
and the virulent cursings they each day
were wont to pour out upon it, and its ul-
holders, or sympathizers, from the day each
canvass commenced until--clection We
say till after election; for it is u notable fact
that as soon rs election was over, all this pro-
slavery thunder was carefully bottled up, to
keep until another canvass required the I'M
corking of these walls of wrath. The Wool
" Horse, which the Democratic leaders ex-
hibited for the purpose of frightening the
weaklings of their party into completer
subserviency was carefully put back in the
stables. and well fed and cared for until an
other campaign would again call for his i'm
portant services AS is so strongly urged
in the able and patriotic letter Of Val
entine W. Snuthall which will be given in
our next they essayed to denounce all who
refused to worship at the altar Of Dcnocra-
CIV, as utterly unsound and unworthy of trust
upon the peculiar institution Of the South !.
In 1910, this ball of niger agitation
was commenced by the declaration that Cen
eral Harrison, a native of Virginia, was an
abolitionist. the proof being that he had left
his native State and settled in Ohio-Io ere
dit being given for the fact that his long res
idence in that country rs Governor before 1t
was admitted az State. had made that resi-
dence almost matter, of course. Consult.
reader, the files of the Richmond Enquirer
OF any other Democratic paper of that day,
and observe how urgently the South was be
sought to repudiate this rccreant son. and
fix its pro-slaycry affections upon Martin
Van Buren-"that Northern man with
Southern principles
In 1874, the same charge was rung out
with still more shameless mcndacity against
Henry Clay-thc son of Virginia, the states
man of Kentucky the tried and ever true
whose name even at this day warns the
heart, and quickcns the pulse, of every gen
une Wing of that period. Of all the poi
soned shafts which political malice urged
against this pride of American state-man-
ship, none was driven with more rirulcnt ma
Lightly, than this base born charge "f i'll
fidelity to the institutions of the State of his
birth. az well as to those of the home of his
adoption Nearly every Democratic speak
or South charged him with the most utter
abolitionism. Every Democratic nowspa-
per was filled with the Iciteration of this out
rageous assumption; and every Democratic
pot-house patriot. parrot-likc, rc-echocd this
most abominable Of all of the abOminable
fabrications, that were raked up against the
greatest and wisest, purest and most gallant
American, that has lived since the days OF
Washington What heart of Wing. but will
remember how the Eagle towering in his
pride of place, was hawked at and slain by
the "mousing' political ''owls' OF this pc
Rod!
In 1913, the same charge was made with
the same ctfrontery against Gen. Taylor,
himself son of Virginia. citizen Of
Louisiana, and the owner of hundreds OF
slaves. and was used with crushing force
against Mr.. Fillmore.
In 1851, the same charge was again
brought against George W. Summers, anotll-
er native of Virginia, another STAKEHOLDER,
one of the ablest statesmen and purest men
of our Commonwealth. He like Gov. Me-
Dowell and Mr.. Richie had. under the ex-
citing events of 1892 made an emancipation
speech. Those who remember the partlzan
force with which the made up charges of
abolitionism had beem urged against MIR.
Clay and Gen. Taylor, can guess something
Of the delight with which Democracy reyel.
led in the real. tangible abolitionism of MIR.
Summers!
In 1852, the same charge was made a
gainst Gen. Scott, another son of Virginia,
another owner of slave property (by family
right)-not because he was inimical to the
institution of slavery, but because VIM. IL.
Seward was :nferentially connected with his
nomination!
In 1865. Mr.. Flournoy was dubbed, and
proved" an abolitionist by these same guar
dams of slavery-rhy! Why simply be-
cause he aspircd to the Gubernatorial chair.
and because his election would deprive this
ercl"sire 'pro-slavery' party Of the State
spoils.
In 1851, the same charge was rung out
again in all it, fury against Mr.. Fillmore
why. Because he in 1888 wrote letter
which said ives" to an abolition query
This letter was paraded over and over again
and was mouthed over and over again by
Democratic speakers--and these the same
speakers and presses which now claim the
statute of limitations in favor Of Dir. Letch-
er's acts, perpetrated nearl Y ten years after
wards In that canvass. too, every wing
and American South was called upon to sup
mort "pru-slavery' Buchanan: and IN de-