Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-15
CASTLE JACKSON, Feb. 7, 1859.

'
DEAR TM:-I received your letter few days
ago, and avail myself of the first leisure time
since then to answer it. rejoice that you
made free to write to me. tiatter myself that
| shall be able to elucidate your doubts ana re-
remove your scruples. The embarrassment,
that interferes with your free action In the ap'
preaching election, arises from mlsappreheh'
sion in reference to the requirements OF Tue
democratic faith. You, as young and lne3Pe.
renced politicians are apt to do, have iaiien ih.o
the error of supposing that the richest Jewel III
the democratic diadem is CONSISTENCY, anu
hence you are for requiring politicians 10 enter
tain the same views, ON the same questions at all
times and under all circumstances. There is an
other error twin brother to the above, into which
Won seem also to have fallen, and that is, that
the ..platforms" and resolutions adopted by dem
oeratic conventions, authoritatively announcing
the views. principles and measures OF the party
acrnallv mean something, and require an identl-
ty of sentiment and harmony of opinion III al
nersops subscribing to or endorsing them.
|. Now, my young friend, the sooner yoI, aoan-
don these fatal errors the better. The history
of the party demonstrates beyond doubt or con
troyersy that consistency" is no part OF the
democratic creed, and that platforms and resolu-
tious are merely tubs thrown out to amuse tnat
great "Whaen the people. 1t is, however, none
the less glorious truth that while "democrallc
states rights republican" principles and doctrines
are immutable, constituting "rock OF delence
painst all assaults upon the federal CONSTITUTION
and Union, and wall OF adamant ar0uno 'ne
rights of the several States, (see Mr.. Letcners
letter of acceptanceO yet they present no 0ar-
riers to the spirit of free inquiry aud impose no
shackles upon the subtle movements OF the hu-
man mind, but embrace within their circumler, :,
ference every diversity OF Poltlcai sentilnen' anu
.o,orote tbe most anomalous and heterogeneous
scbemes The Briarien arms of the party en-
close alike in their fraterna embrace those who
so W the safety OF the Union only in Gen. Jack :
son,s "force bill.n and those who sought security
g. tho s.r;ohts of the States" under the dark
hanne, of notification. The party cherishes
with eonal affection President Buchanan and
.Indge Campbell who are for enforcing our neu-
,roIifv laws as essential to national honor and
dignity. and those who advocate wiplng them
az blofs. from the statute book, and converting
no info nation of freebooters and buccaneers.
The party with the same breath sings hosannas
to the Kansas policy of Mr.. Buchanans Admin
istratiop. and shouts huzzas in honor OF the re-
election of Senator Douglas. And under the
influence of a ubricity, that alone could be pro-
duced by an amounting with the magic oil DIS
filled from democratic 'plattorrns" we see the
stssn protectionst, James Buchanan ana the
cb}valrous free-trader, Howell Cobb revolving
in tho Same administration without the slightest
iarrino or creaking. You know they are
SCARCELY less antagonstic on the vital questloh
Of the tariff, than Mr.. John Letcher OF ie4i Is
with the Hon. John Letcher OF 1858 on the 40 r.
olition of slavery in Virginia. AND again the
VIRGINIA democrats who are horrlhed az the
mere thought of Congress approprlatlng as mucn
money TO internal improvements as wouid re-
move single ledge from James river are es-
teamed equally orthodox and trustworthy Win
those of Missouri and Minnesota who ind IN the
Constitution authority for constructing az least
three railroads to the Pacific Ocean. -.
n thus appears that it is no less striKlng
tbon an honorable characteristic OF democratlc
doctrines that while they alone are potent
enonob TO preserve the Union and "hedge a.
ronndn the sovereignty Of the States, they are
vet so impapable and permeable as to admit 10
closest fellowship men Of the most diverse ana
irreconcilable views on questions OF constta-
tional construction and practical statesmanshiP'
In trntb thew present no greater obstacle to the
admission of discordant opinions and antagonls-
tic schemes than the perfume from bed OF VIC
LET'S or the fragrance from garden OF roses Oh
fers to the genial showers of summer or r., the the
fructifying influences of the atmosphere. !here
ia but one particular in which the party ID lnoA-
orable. 1t admits of neither excuse nor Paiila-
tion for falling to vote for the regular noml-
neesn % Every other sin may be forgiven or a.
toned for hut this one is an ottense OF such
crimson dye that to wash it out would "inSar- ~ @
nardlne" the mighty food of the "iather Oh Wa
ters" -,
In illustration Of the happy working OF the
glorious principles have thrown together in
this this hasty and desultory manner, may be al
lowed low to refer to the fact that supported Mr..
Buchanan and the party just as zealously, patri,,
oticslly, and democratically, when they assailed
Adams Administration as wasteful and extrav-
agant for spending thirteen millions of dollars q
wear, as-F do now when they expend egnEy