Gazette and sentinel., 1860-08-18

event, from what quarter can he rea-
sonably look for support? The few
adherents of Douglas could render no
efficient aid, and from the true Democ-
racy no support whatever could be
expected, for the reason that while the
dictates Of patriotism would induce
them to q choice Of the least evils, to
vote fer Bell, they would be driven to
no such alternative, as the Constitution
happily provides that in the event of
failure of an election by the House,
the duty Of selecting a Chief Magis-
trate devUlves upon the United States
Senate-at this moment a conservative
and Democratic body.
1t IS therefore conclusive and be-
yond cavil, that tbs only possible hope
for the election of Mr.. Bell is solely
frem the friends Of Lincoln, the sworn
enemies Of the South-the mad devo-
tees of the hIoody announcement Of
the "irrepressible conflict" and Of u
higher law than the Constitution Of
our courstry. Can any true Southern
man co]nscientioasly give his support
to such a ticket, with such prospects,
and such inevitable consequences?
In short. the main issue before the
people Of Louisiana is the preservation
of her equality as q sovereign State Of
this great confederacy, the protection
of the institution of slavery as it ex-
lists under our Constitution, with all its.
1nnnon,i,a, ~ hln-,T,.rg ~, l.-4 ,....I
bic condition for the Africans, and an
institution which experience from the
days Of our colonial existence TO the
present time has shown io he fraught
with incalculablc benefits. Its pro-
ducts have been frci@htcd on every
sea, given employment to thousands i'll
many lands, built up cities, towns and
villages, extended the limits of Chris
tian civilization, and been one of the
main supports Of commerce, manufac-
lures, arts, science and religion. Its
distinction Of color in the Southern
States has ~obliterated all other social
distinctions, placing all white men,
whether rich or poor. on "a common
equality-producing a nearer approach
10 social democracy than exists else
where upon the face Of the earth.
1t has developed in her sons great
individuality and strength of charac-
ter, and their achievements, alike in
the forum and on the field, have shed
luster on the American name, wherever
our country has required the statesman
or the soldier.
Upon the preservation of this insti-
tuition intact under the Constitution,
depends our political existence as a
State and nation and III obligations |
to point orr tellow-citizcns of Louis
lana 10 the impending danger Of the
present political crisis, rises above all
considerations of party.
Upon those who have stood by the
party in all It's glorious
triumphs, and its occasional defeats
who have held to principle through evil
and through good report-we enioin to
stand firm in this hour of peril. We
have the most cheering hopes that our
candidates will be chosen by
Electoral Colleges. The patriotic
and rejecting are waking up to the
momentous consequences involved in
the present contest, and the purposes
Of a ruthless fanaticism may yet be
by the constitutional action of
tn people.
If. however. in this you are to be
disappointed, let your warning voice
De heard, let your hands be guiltless of
he fearful evils which are likely to
Be true to yourselves, to
your principles. to your constitutional
and to your sister States of the
IT UATCU