Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-14
The Duty OF Democrats.

The Duty Of Democrats.
TIE great political ball Of 1860 Il
fsarly opened, and the cauldron com
nencei it's seething with more than ordi
nary virulenoe and intensity Probably
not sirce the Inauguration Of our system q
government have the press and politicians
of the country at large been more earnestly
If not wisely, engaged in the discussion Of
the claims Of the various aspirauts for. the
Presidency. and the issues which may Gu
ter into that momentons struggle. That
freedom of thought and expression, which
10 one Of the legitimate offsprings of our
popular institutions, is being exercised
with liberality that might we'll institute
an inquiry as to its propriety, and the va
rious schemes and claims Of politicians urg-
ed with tenacity, which, to the unobser-
want, might SAVIOR of anything but harmony
and oneness Of action by the friends Of in
dividuals in each Of tue party organizations.
But, while at this early day the elements Of
discord and contention seem prevalent, we
have the history Of the Democratic party
as a satisfying assurance that the author
lied action Of its representatives at Charles
ton will calm the troubled waters. and pre-
sent the country another evidence Of that
unity of sentiment which follows an abiding
faith in the conservative cardinal princl-
pies which lie at the foundation Of our or
ganisation. A simple reference to the ag-
itation which preceded the contest of 1896,
and the fears that doomed up in the minds
of the timid, will justify the prediction that
temporary breaks will be healed, the col
ann closed, and the organization SO con-
solidated, as to defy the enemy, and achieve
another triumph as significant and glorious
as that which crowned our efforts in the
memorable conflict which elevated the pres
ont Chief Magistrate to the position he now
occupies.
We freshly remember the ominous pre-
dictions of the Opposition as to the result
of the action of the Cincinnati Convention,
when it was assumed as one Of those events
whose shadow had been cast before, that it
would be an asscmblage Of homogeneous and
dissentient elements, aeventuating in the to-
tai disorganization and, consequently, the
humiliation Of the Democratic party
But the JUNCTION thus aatteringly laid to the
soul proved but another Of those decisions
which has marked the perturbed existence
Of the Opposition, and but verified the
strength and power Of party the basis Of
whose existence and successes is well de-
fined and immutable principle. With a
combination of all the issues of which the
niasmatic vapors Of the North are prolific,
to oppose it, the Democratic party steadily
marched on to triumph, and once more pre-
served its integrity and traditional adher-
cnce to the guarantees of the Constitution
The same hopes that encouraged the Oppo-
sition then, and similar fears to those which
agitated portion of the Democratic party,
are again in active exercise. Indeed, the
promise is that the Opposition will be more
firmly but not the less fatally united in go.
IF we are to take the Richmond Wing as
The authorized organ of the Opposition Of
Virginia, combination as odious as "Bli-
fl and Black George Puritan and
Black Legs now in process Of consum-
nation. the election Of Black Republican
Speaker of the next Congress being the
first step in the detestable programme. -
While we are averse to receiving the belief
that ouch union can be Effected that hon
est men of the Southern Opposition can fra
ternize with the bitter enemies of our inter-
ests and institutions at the North-yet we
are irresistibly forced to give peculiar sig
nifcance and Importance to the suggestions
Of SO influential and able an Opposition
journal as the Richmond Wing. It be-
hooves Ms, however the proposition may
surprise and startle us, to anticipate the
emergency when Southern Opposition mem
bers of Congress will vote to select thu
NacAest Of the Black Republicans SPEAK.
sr Deer lang Democrat North or South.
With these indications staring us full in
the face, is it not the suggestion Of wisdom
and policy for Democrats to cease their bick
srings and ordinations as to men, and re.
posing cherished confidence in the pa
triotism and party fealty Of the Charleston
Convention, leave that body the trusted
umpire whose selection shall be yea and a.
men to every one who cherishes the prin.
eiples and rejoices in the success of the
Democratic party.
RT We must again request that persons
who write obituaries for this paper, vii
eonfne themselves to reasonable space.
It is always disagrecable for us to refuse