The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-05-31
The Rule or Ruin Policy of MIR
Douglas.

Ill We laCe Vi the oOutucfn DelnoCtaCy. buFoupu
his Dorr letter, the arrogant and aggravatingly
egotistical threat that the Charleston Conven-
ton nlust take him as its nominee, and his squat
ter sovereignty heresies rs its platform. or he
would take no part in the campaign in behalf
Of its action. lie plainly enough gave US to
understand that unless we submitted to and
approved of his programme, it was highly pro-
bable that we would find in the discarded die
tator q determined foe. He threatened to
pout, grow sullen, and generally play the part
of Achilles when disconnected at the manner
in which the prizc-beautics were divided among
the Greek warriors. And the unconciliatory
and vindictive stubborncss displayed by his
partisans Throughout, the sitting Of the Charles
ton Convention, shows how relentlessly did-he
pursue his purpose of ruling or running the De-
mocratic party. Though seventeen States (and
they the only dead sure Democratic States in
the Union)- though two great sectious the gold
and cotton producing portions of the contcde-
racy, pronounced against him both as a man
and as q politician, with repeated emphasis, he
stood out defiantly, by virtue of a bare numer-
ical majority, against their appeals and pro-
tests. He forced upon the Convention the issue
of Douglas or disruption, with the reckless hope
that in so grave a contingency it would sink
into idolatry and bail him as its savior, rather
than encounter the evils of an irretrevable
DISCRIMINATION. But fortunately for the well
fare of the country and the honor and safety Of
the South, the higt-sprited patriotism of the
delegates from a majority of the slave States
avcrted these catastrophies. Their prompt and
gallant interpositon defeated the schemes of
Douglas to secure the nomination., postponed
and most probably altogether prevented the
incorporation Of squatter sovereignty in our
platform, and has secured oh interval for refiec-
tions for the second sober thoughts Of modera-
tion and justice.
The Northern majority, which is so shabby
and powerless at the ballot-box to give any
practical aid to its nominee, and so omnipotent
upon the floor of Conventions, have now ample
time to study the ugly and desolate latitudes
into which the currents of their passions were
SO swiftly hurrying them. Between now and
the 18th of June, the time is ample enough to
learn lessons of torbearance and respect for the
rights of all sections Of our country. 1t is to
their peril if they neglect to improve it. Their
high-handed disposition must undergo Won
derful and thorough toning down. and their
ideas of justice between members Of the same
household must be equally renovated and en-
| lightened. Let them also learn that the bond
of Union between the South and North, both
in their party as well rs civic relations, can
only be preserved by extending and upholding
their independent equality. There is no dis
count in the pluck which has placed the South
in her present attitude. Her position is defen-
ded by the Constitution, by repeated decisions
of the Supreme Court, and by the time-honorcd
usages of our party. And We will not yield
until powerless to make any further defense Of
our rights Douglas personal ambition and
doctrines are both known to be too lawless to
receive the approval of any but political pre-
tenders and discarded hacks The conservative
and patriotic portion of the party will arise in
its might and repulsc his slashing foray after
the highest honors and most sacred principles
of the Union. Everybody now is aware Of the
portentous crisis which his desperate trickery
has precipitated upon us. The least critical
glance over The details of the action of the Con.
vention may gather up irrefutable factsto con,
Wet him of conspiring to be the despot or de.
stroyer Of the Democratic party. There was
but one alternative to his aims-personal sue.
cess or party ruin. Tie was strong enough to
make the Convention spurn the authority Of
the Supreme Court of the United States and tc
freesoilize the Democratic platform Tin so ia,
as these acts were not held in allegiance by the
secession of the South.) Yet after all these
achievements of resentment and ambitious ma
Lightly, and when he must have known, aftel
so many fruitless ballotings, That his own no
minaton was utterly impossible, he refused tc
allow the Convention to select any other candi
date. This determination to defeat and sci
aside the very purpose which produced the Con
vention: is also manifested in his refusal to give
his strength to q compromise candidate, and in
employing that power to adjourn the Conven-
ton to have another trial at ruling or finally
running the Democratic party.