Des Arc citizen., 1860-03-28

Democratic sentiments of the nation, and to walk in the path of honor to secure demo- cratic ascendency and national safety. Let them meetthe issue, boldly and honestly, ten- dered by the sectionalists. Let them lay down the platform of equal rights for all American citizens and appeal to the funda- mental idea of Democracy and the best in- stincts, intelligence and manlness of the northern masses. Standing on this high ground of principle, it is matter of subor- dinate interest who the candidate may be-, whether the clear headed, the eloquent, the intrepid and chivalrous Davis-the safe, able and accomplished Hunter; the profound and all-embracing Toombs, or the gallant Breck- inridge: Either is complete embodiment of the great issue before the country, and either or any of them abundantly competent to per- form the duties of the Presidency. And should the Democracy be defeated; should the local politicians throughout the north fail to stand up to the issue and consequent disaster be brought upon it, it will go down unconquered--its banner though torn, still flying, it's honored and untarnished princ- pes made more distinct, bright and glorious than ever.
 But it cannot be disguised that prodigious efforts are being made to avoid the great issue before the country, and to trust to the igno- rance and folly instead of the reason and patriotism ssfsthe northern people. It is pro- posed to re-adopt the Cincinnati Platform to parade before the country again the we'll pounded carcass of the Kansas Nebraska bill, in short to stultfy the Democracy and insult the common sense of the country by the dodge of popular sovereignty. And there are men even iE tAis State, whose sender nerves will not permit them to demand the full assertion of their rights, but who are willing to main- tain the nationality of the Democratic party upon the basis of squatter sovereignty. But we warn them that such would be fatal error. If the nationality of the Democratic party cannot be maintained upon the basis of a platform securing to the South the full measure of her rights it had better be aban- doned. If we manifest, as heretofore will lingness to take the best we can get, we will be most shamefully and overwhelmingly defeated, and platform meaning one thing at the North. and another at the South will be foisted up- on us, upon the pretext that it'is necessary to abandon our principles to defeat the Black Republicans. She should demand of the Charleston Convention full and uncondition- al repudiation of squatter sovereignty-an explicit endorsement of the Dred Scott De- cision-an assertion of both the right and duty of Congress to protect slavery in the Territories. Let us for once have clear victory or clear defeat. If the northern Democrats are not loyal to the principles we have just enunciated, they are no better than know it the better. All other parties have become abolitionized, and the events of the next six weeks will demonstrate whether or not the Democracy is still true to the Consti- tuition. Then let our delegates go to Charles ton asking only what is right, and, failing to secure it--let them sternly refuse to accept anything less, and shaking the dust from their feet, return to their constituents as free as they went. THEN the same history that re- cords the unfaithfulness of the Democracy of the Union, will also exhibit the rectitude of that gallant States Right Democracy of the South, which through all the vicissitudes of politics. has borne aloft her standard, refused to barley with her enemies, stood fast by her rights, and in whose unselfsh devotion to her honor she finds the reflection of her manhood and the best hope of her safety.