Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-09-07
unworthy the conntenance OF any National


Democrat.
But, Douglas Democrats, notwithstanding the
example of Your distinguished leader, We shall
not assail You in like manner. We desire peace
and reconciliation with you. We live in hope
of an honest, earnest, and permanent rcstora-
ton of harmony in the ranks Of the Virginia
Democracy. We knoS that You must in time
discover that your present path leads you away
from the ancient sanctuary Of your faith, to the
heather temple Of Thaycrism and SIuatter
Sovereignty. We do not believe you recresnt
to the South, but we do believe that when con-
vinccd of the immincncy Of her peril, your de-
votion will be as heroic, your zeal as fervent as
! that Of the noblest Of her defenders. We can.
not believe YOU deficient in dev0tiou to those
great princi Piles of State Rights, State Sore-
rcgnty and State Equality, which were the
faith Of your fathers, and which constitute our
last protection against the usurpations Of IA.
natical despotiSm at the North You do not
sustain Senator Douglas 1ecagss Of his adyoca-
cy of Squattcr Sovereignty, but in spite of such
advocacy You despise and locthe the name,
as we'll as. the idea Of Squatter Sovereignty, end
you cannot deny or destroy the moral force,
the truthfulness, the wisdom and the efficacy
of the position which We now occupy. That
position, in plain and comprehensive language,
is, "Just and Equal Protection to all property
in all the Territories" as opposed to Total
Prohibition of Slavery" which the Black Re-
publicans advocate, as opposed 10 "squatter
Sovereignty Eli Thayer, the origina-
tor OF Abolition Aid Societies, declares the
most ctiectual expedient by which to crush
slavery, and which Douglas advocates; and,
lastly, as opposed TO the totat ignoring and
suJmcrYiHg OF this vital issue, as proposed by
the Bell and Everett party.
The reasons, implied above, are, in our esti-
nation, perfectly satisfactory, and justify
our settled purpose to refrain from all assault
upon the supporters of Mr. Douglas in Yirgi-
nia Inclination the appeals Of patriotism in
behalf Of united Democracy in the future,
even though it be mpracticable now, alike i'm
pei us to total abstinence from such policy.
Do not the same reasons appeal with equal
force to the Douglas men in behalf Of n similar
course? Wherein have the friends OF Brock
inrdge and Lane sinned against the faith We
deplorc the rupture of the party as much as
you, we sought to avert it as earnestly as you,
but since the chasm has opened, despite our
efforts, we have but exercised the right and du-
ty to take that side which our judgment conf
mended Have you not acted likewise?
We certainly cannot assume too much in
saving that the rank and Gle Of the Douglas
Democracy in Virginia, would, under any cir
cumstanccs dcplorc, quite as much MS ourselves,
the deep humiliation Of Opposition ascendancy
in our old citadel Of State Rights Democracy.
We cannot suppose them to be prepared deli
bcrately, and with ''malice alorethought' Tor
any such result. But we tell them that. If OF
practical effect at all tic tendency Of their
present course Of action is to throw the
vote of the State for Bell and Everett
Can any Democrat, then, feel justified in
taking any course that viii assist the success
of Bell and Everett? We ask, what can you
gain by it? Bells success will fall with equally
crushing effect upon the friends OF Douglas and
those OF Breckenridge. We lose nothing which
is not equally your loss. Grant that wc do
differ from you upon one solitary issue, you
must admit that we are perfectly agreed re-
spec.ing all other articles Of Democratic faith.
What have YOU III common with tine supporters
of Bell and Everett? We differ from you on a
solitary issue, which, too you pronounce q
mere abstraction" totally valneless and un-
worthy Of consideration or discussion, while
the Bell men differ from you on aN other Is
sues.
Now, what should principle and policy alike
suggest rs your proper coursey Wide as the
breach IS between you and the supporters OF
Breckenridge ard Lane, there is gulf still
deeper, between you and the followers OF
Bell and Everett By voting for Douglas
yon pass that gulf and sacrifice yourselves and
your party in the cause Of hnow.SothinGism,
Federalism and all the hercsies Of the Opposi'
tion. Against such 4 result we heartily cry
"Dcus acertat amen r. We arc the advocates
of the success OF the Democ, attic party, and We
invoke all good and true Democrats to abandon
all resentinents, all factious prcjudices, and
place them all, a willing sacrifice, holy llba'
ton, upon them altar of party and country
Don glas men, We appeal to you, lay down your
arms, abandon your suicidal policy, assert your
indep pcndencc, throw of the loathed shackles
OF Squatter Sovereignty, and rally with your
brother Democrats, under the banner Of just
and Equal Protection to the property OF all CIT
liens Of every section" Abandon the For'orn
Hope which you now follow, refuse longer the
rendered guidance of know-Nothings, to be
the servile instruments Of Opposition sue
cess, and join the grand army Of the Consti'u
ton. under its noble leaders Breckenridge anc
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