Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-14

to reflect in the slightest degree on the Committee,
we must az the same time be pardoned for this frank
and explicit expression of our opinions.
Union and Harmony---NO PrOscription---No
Tests among Democrats on State Affairs.
In the Standard of the 14th of March, under the
head of the Pending Campaign" we said:
1t is not for us nor for any to attempt 10 die
tate to the Democratic party; but we respectfully
suggest that the true course is to know no dStinc
tons in our ranks, so FIR Democracy concerned
between those who favor and those who oppose the
principle of dd cGL0rem, whether considered in
stricted or in fully extended sense No party in
this or any other State, for example, has been
unit on State affairs. The Opposition party in this
State is now divided on al raL0rem yet they will
ALL or nearly all vote for John Pool Let every
Democrat who is true to his glorious principles and
who is anxious to see our excellent State admins
traton and the national Democratic party sustained,
profit by the example thus set them by our oppo-
nents. Let them remember that in 1S4S and in
1850 we had troubles and divisions on the question
of internal improvements that Wayne and Edge
combe, and Martin and Halifax, for instance could
not agree with Davidson and Rowan, or Burke and
JACKSON but that this difference in opinion on State
affairs had injurious effect on the canvass for the
Legislature or for Governor. Are we less united
less loyal to the cause, less determined defeat
ing our opponents than we were in 1850? Let US
show by our action that we not"
In the same issue we said:
Bear in mind also, that the paramount issue is
the preservation of Constitutional Union that
this only be done by defeating the black Repmb
lican party and that the only party which can de.
feat the black Republicans IS tie national Demo-
cratic party. Let unite heretofore on all our
candidates; and let make the issues, as hereto
FORE for opponents. 1t is not for them to die
tate in this respect to the majority. Let meet
them on our own ground and in our own way. Let
us stand as one man around our candidate for Gov
ernor. Let sustain him and reelect him. be-
cause he has acquitted himself well in the position
in which he placed in 1885, and because he is
the State embodiment of the paramount issue, to
wit, the preservation Of the Union Constitution
al basis; and let at the same time determine that
the Opposition shall obtain TO advantage over us in
the County campaigns by their "cunningly devised
fables" on State issues. Let unite and do this,
and all will he well. Let our watchword be unity
oneness Of purpose and Of action IN the campaign,
and rictOry at the polls"
In the Standard of the 2Sth of March we said:
"If Seward is defeated, Democracy must do it
1t do it. if it be not crippled and embarrassed by
new issues What then? Shall we divide on a
Stare issue when the State itself is to be saved p
Shall we rush into the burning house to save the
furniture when the wife and children are in danger
of the flames? Shall we open ranks and change the
order Of battle just the enemy is charging? Shall
we stop to change Constitution when the threat
is hanging over us that if we do not submit to abo-
liton rule that Constitution itself will be tramped
under foot, and the State dragooned into mere
province? Whatever may be our opinions the
subject Of taxation let us remain united. The Dem
ocratic party is LIBERAL enlightened tolerant party.
1t proscribcs none of its members account of their
opinions State affairs; it erects Procrustean
bed to cut off draw out according to the within
caprice of the moment. We have our own opinions
on this subject but we intend to subordinate them
this and all other questions to the great issue be-
tween abolition and a Constitutional Union. The
only question we shall ask will be- 1ohO are the Dem
Ocrdtic candidates? We cannot trust Know Moth
ing leaders to egisate for US, to represent in the
United States Senate in the Governors c. air, or
to change Constitutions If the Constitution must
be changed let the Democrats acting under instruc.
tons from the people, effect the change in their
time end way When the time comes they will an
it, and when the way is asked for they will
point it out They did this with Free Suffrage and
they can do it with this proposition if the peo-
pie wish ii. But not ROc."
We still hold these opinions word for word as we
expressed them then; and we arc gratified to find
that sustained by Gov. Ellis and the Demo-
cratic State Committee. In his speech accepting
the nomination Gov. Ellis said:
differ we often do but divide never. The word
divide is not to be found in all the great dictionary
of the Democratic language. 1t only occurs here
and there in fugitive productions that have no
rank among the standard works of our political lite
nature Our opponents seem utterly unable to COM
prehend the nature of our political organization; we
party based upon principle, and have no pow
er to divide"
In their Address just issued, the members of the
Democratic State Committee say
"Under such circumstances. we appeal-we feel
that we shall not appeal in vain-to the patriotism
of the people sustain the Democratic party Nth
out reference to any question Of taratiOn; to aid
them in preserving this great and glorious govern
ment, and then arrange the details Of our TeUenue
system amid the sunshine Of safer days."
But we are answered, what must be the course of
Democrats running for and against adj rGIorenu in
the same County for the Legislature The reply
is "difer zoe often do but diuide nerer" Let eve
ry Democrat refuse to make test on State affairs;
let him, therefore, vote for Gov. Ellis and Tor the
Democratic candidates for the Legislature "''th0ut
reference TO any question Of taxation" But what,
we are again asked, are the Democratic members of
the Legislature thus elected, to do when the ques-
ton comes up in the Legislature? The answer to
this is plain and conclusive The great object which
candidates have in canvassng for the Legislature is
to ascertain the wishes of the people; and those
wishes, when ascertained, every Jeffersonan and
Jackson Democrat is bound to carry out If he can
not on account of conscientious scruppes carry out
these wishes, let him resign If an dd CalOren can
didate, for example, shall find that majority of the
people are against the measure he will be bound as
member of the Legislature to vote against dd 0ato
rem, or resign; and if the other hand, an anti
adj Ualorem candidate shall find that majority OF
the people in favor of the measure, he will be
bound to vote for ii, or resign. This is our posi-
tion-and this, in our opinion, is sound Democracy
If we prescribe each other on this question, we will
do what has never heretofore been done in North
Carolina in State affairs and if we shall thus di-