The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-10-24
From the New York Day Book.
To the Friends of Mr.. BeiI I'm the
Southern States.

SOutnGFm 6t1tlGbs
DURING the course Of the present canvass, we
have been repeatedly requested to publish the
political record and antecedents Of Messrs. Bell
and Everett the so-called Union candidates for
President and President This we have
not thought 1t necessary to do, mainly for the
reason that we felt almost sure that before No
vember, almost every patriotic man, who is not
firmly welded to party ties, would see that duty
called upon him to vote for BreclIinridge and
Lane. We have nothing to say against Mr.
Bell, except that he represents no principles,
lays down no policy upon which he intends, if
elected, TO administer the government. He says
he shall be bound by the Constitution, brt so
says Lincoln, aud the real issue is, what does
Mr. Bell hold that tho Constitution means, cs-
I pecially upon the paramount ISSUE now before
! the people-the right to protection Of the prop
erty Of all citizens alike by the federal govern
ment? When asked this question, Mr.. Bell
referred his interrogatOr to his record in Con-
gress, embracing period of some twenty or
thirty years, contained in some forty odd volumes
Of Congressional reports Now, Mr.. Bel could
have answered the question propounded to him
in five line paragraph, costing him about five
minutes of very easy labor, whereas It would
take us some days, perhaps weeks, to inyest-
gate his Congressional record, and even then we
might not be able to find anythingupon the exact
point n01 under discussion. Mr. Breckinridse,
ON the contrary, in his letter accepting the Bal
timore nomination, replied frankly and boldly,
and assumed the responsibility of standing or
falling by an open and brave enuncation Of what
we believe, and what all true Southerners must
regard as only their fair and just constitutional
rights The simple fact that Mr.. Breckenridge
has risLed all, by standing squarely upon The
true platform, while Mr. Bell, to say the least,
has evaded tic direct issuc, ought, as VIC con-
ccive, to commend him to the gratitude and
earnest support of every Southern man: 1t re-
ally seems tous that there Is question of honor
involved, which the sons of the South, noted as
they have been for their chvalrous conduct up
on all memorable occasions, cannot ignore with
out blot upon their fair fame.
Wcdo not doubt that many patriotic people
at the South, when the Democratic party split
at Baltimore, did really feel that perhaps the on
~ way LEFT to defeat Lincoln was to vote for Mr.
Bell. The election in Kentucky increased this
impression, but we feel convinced that subse-
quent events must have convinced them that
this idea is wholly erroneous. The elections in
Arkansas and Texas were unmistakable indica-
tons Of Ike popular current Mr.. Bells warm
est supporters cannotnow seriously believe that
he stands any chance for these two Statcs.-
Florida and Delaware are much stronger arg,i-
mcnts against Mr.. Beli's chances ut the South.
These two States Were claimed, with some plau-
sibility, for him. If Mr.. Douglas possessed any
strength, surely he ought to divert votes enough
in two such close States as these TO give them to
Bell. But the result is before US. The Democ-
racy is triumphant in both. The people have
adhered to principles to the Constitution, and
the Supreme Court I
We have always believed that, as soon as
Southern men saw that it was necessary to con-
centlatc their votes upon Mr.. Brecl,iuridge to
defeat Mr.. Lincoln, they would do il with una
nimity never before known. And our reason
for this belief was this: The Democratic plat
form now expressly comedies to the South what
men of all parties there have ever claimed as
their constitutional rights. Can it be possible
that they are now going to vote against the rec
ognition of these rights, when there is every
chance to elect a President who is pledged to ad-
minister the government upon them We shall
l. hat
may be said, every State at the South which
votes for Mr.. Bell will be understood at the
North to say that the South does not demand
protection for her property in the Territories. 1t
viii do more TO weaken and break down north
ern men, who stand up boldly for Southern
rights, than all else combined and if the entire
South could by any possibility be carried for
Mr.. Bell, it would encourage and keep alive ia
natcal abolitionism Not that we mean to in
sinuate by this that Mr.. Bell favors anti-slavery
ism, but it would be considered an acknowledge
Nnent, on the part Of the South, that her nstitu-
tons were unworthy Of protection, and it would
invite further aggressions upon her rights. Any
yielding TO naticisin only inaames its spirit and
adds fuel to the fame.
Are Southern men prepared at this crisis, TO
recede, to retreat from their enemy? Win they
throw tub to appease the Northern whale Of
abolitionism, instead Of striking him with the
harpoon when they have the opportunity pre-
sehted? Have they not been tOrmented enough
vet with this monster to show It no quarter
The election Of Breckenridge and lane would
break the back Of anti-slavery. II Ifiollowed UP,
as it would be, by general assault upon it at
the North, in four years we could restore Dem
ocratic ascendeney in nearly every Northern
State Notwithstanding all, Pennsylvania and
New Jersey may beset down as reasonably sure
FOR the Democratic or Union electoral ticket,
which, in both States, is pledged TO vote for
BreckiEndgesnd Lane If it will elect them
Their votes amount TO thirty-four. We want
one hundred and eighteen more. Where can
we get themg Let us see: Cannot the follow
ing States be regarded as sure FOR Breckinridge
and Lane, aud if not all positively sure nor,
! can they not be made so by the proper exertion