The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1860-08-25
Historical indications.

~" c""'' ''o N"i"hpuS Npco'J iiiqulref
of the Sth instant some comments on Ger.
tain positions assumed by his excellency
Gov. BRowN, of that State; in an address
delivered on the occasion of his recent in
auguration in Office
1t seems that the Governor gives il as
his very decided opinion that our public
affairs during the last six years have beer
constantly going from bad to worse, until
Mt the present day spirit Of sectional an
imosity has taken permenant possession Of
the body polite. As during this period
the Democracy have had undisputed con.
troll of the Federal Government in all its
great departments, plain minds might be
ed to suppose that they were possibly in
some way and to some degree responsible
for the unhappy deterioration which he de.
plores; but this is an inference which does
not appear to have suggested itself to the
Governors mind. Accordingly our Geor-
gia contemporary ventures to recall n few
facts in our recent political history, as ser
wing to shed some light upon the relations
Of this much canvassed subject
"When Mr.. FILLMORE retired from the
Presidency, and Wing rule gave place ia
Democratic misgovernment, there was not
threatening speck of "Abolitionism" in
the political horizon. The slavery cues
tion was regarded as settled upon a basis
so firm and constitutional MS to defy the
efforts of sectional agitators to get up an
other sectional broil. But Democracy
must needs pit the South against the North
in another domestic cmcvte; il must sum
mon the two sections each TO the support
of its "squatter sovereigns" in Territorial!
flight for Kansas; and out Of this "localiz-
ed conflict grew n new excitement, over
spreading the whole Union, and building
up Northern sectional party that almost
carried the last Presidential election. The
whole Governmental management Of this
controversy. has been in the hands Of the
National Democracy, and it has temper
lied until neither section has the least con-
fdehce IN its ability or ts ,ciU 10 pacity a
couatry bristing att orer wiM sccfionai re-
pugnancies and conflicts. Yet our Cover
nor says that THIS is the only party that
can be entrusted with the settlement of the
slavery controversy, and that its expulsion
from power must be the kncl proclailning
a dissolution of the Union"
As we know there arr some persons who
seems to suppose that historical facts are
more or less true in accordance with the
channels through which they arc commu-
nicated, and as the Wing testimony ON
this point may not pass as current among
our Democratic friends MS the evidence af-
fordcd by their own chosen leaders, we cite
from the latter few noble declarations
coniirmatory of the contrasts shown by the
Columbus Journal. And in the first place
NE may BE- pardoned for rccalliag the foil
owing resolution, passed by the Democrat
ic Convention which placed the Hon.
FRANKLIN PIERCE in nomination for the
high office to which he was subsequently
elected by the American people
"Rcsolrcd, That the Democratic party
will resist all attempts at reriring in Con-
grcss or out of it tyc 0gttatiOn on tie sure
re- question, under whatsoever shape or col
or the attempts may be made.
In his first annual message to Congress,
in 1853, and in reviewing the general CON
difion Of the country at that date, Pr,si-
dent PIERCE was permitted to hold the
following language:
at is no part of my purpose TO give
prominence to any subject which may
roperiy BE- rcgarded as set at rest Jy he
deli6rdfe Judgment IF Me poople. But
while the present is bright with promises
and the future full of demand and induce
mcnt for the exercise of active intelligence,
he past can never be without useful les
sons of admonition and instruction. If It's
dangers serve not as beacons, they will
evidently fail to fulfil the object wise de-
sign. When the grave shall have closed
over all who are now endeavoring to meet
the obligations of duty, the year of 1850
will be REQUIRED to as period filled with
anxious apprehension.
~ successful war has just terminated
Peace brought with it vast augmentation
of territory. Disturbing questions arose,
bearing upon the domestic institutions of
one portion of the Coufcleracy and involv-
ing the constitutional rights of the States
But, Notwithstanding differences Of opin-
ion and sentiment which then existed in
relation to details and specific provisions,
the acquiescence Of distinguished citizens,
whose devotion to the Union can never be
doubted, has gireS rcaeared rigOr 10 oar in
stitufions and restored sense 1f' repoSe and
security 10 tie Yubiic mind Mroughoxt Tire
Contcderacy. That tbs rePose is to suffer
no shock during my official term if | have
power to avert it, those who placed me
here may be- assured"
In thus referring to the composure ofom
sectional agitations President PIERCE did
not, of course, suppose that any identity of
opinion had been brought about between
the people of the two sections in regard to
the abstract merit of the ourstions which