Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-09-07
For the Rnquusr
4 Word 10 the Douglas Democracy.

Ihe hcr0lc QeYOtlOn OF tne virginia Deii"-
cracy to the principles Of their fathers, is
theme upon which we love to dwell. When
in silent meditation We avert our gaze from the
sad spectacle of divided and disrupted party,
we do not seek in vain consolation from re-
Prospect of that glorious past, so repletc with
examples of noble DEVOTION of willing sacrl-
flee, unparalleled even in the annals of Spartan
heroisln, in behalf of that consecrated shibbo.
leth Of their faith the doctrine Of State sove-
reignty and State equality. Though having
sometimes to witness the sad spectacle Of dis
scnson among their allies elsewhere and
though called upon on such occasions to oiler
the olive branch of peace and reconciliation to
the mutual grasp Of contcnding friends, they
have ever as we'll in moments Of peace as amid
the din of strife, the clangor Of arrns-in the
midst of the deadly conflict with the loe, and
in the face of the equally fatal dssensions oil
fricnds-stood firm and united, coincident in
opinion, harmonious in sentiment. aid unani'
nous in resolution 10 ourselves, We confess,
the alienation and the hostility which is partial
~ engendering between members OF party
with such past, with so many incentives to
harmony and union, presents saddenns
spectacle The sling of modification, too, de-
rives additional poignancy from the TACT, SO
plainly patent that it cannot be denied, "i the
total absence of any necessity for the present
division Of the party in Virginia. Were we
actuatcd by motives Of revenge, We could
very easily indicate where the blame pro-
perly rests, since those only can be respon-
siblc for the result who rejected the only
effective remedy. We do not propose, how
ever, an enterprise Of elimination and conVlc-
tion, but rather one fsuggestion and pcrsuasion
and that in spirit Of conciliation and am'ty.
And why should we undertake the task before
us in any other spirit? With whom do we pro-
pose to hold communion? Do We cndeavor to
x the stigma of reproach upon an enemy, or
do we propose counsel with friends? Are we
cautiously and cunningly connecting a trick ol
diplomacy, by which to overrcacl trcacherous
enemy, equally anxious to take any possible
advantage over US or are we not rather seeking
to nro,note an union Of friends with trlcnts
against the lifelong and relentless enemies OF
BOTH We throw down no gauntlet ofdeiancc to
the Douglas Democracy ofVirginia, and we chal'
lepgc them to no combat which must result IN
our mutual destruction. We invoke the coun-
sci and the aid of those who, despite our differ
cnce rs to individuals, should be in cordial
union against an enemy seeking the destruc-
tion of both. For reasons entirely satisiacto-
~ to US, and we think plainly foreshadowed
above we have not assailed and shall not as
sui the supporters Of Douglas in Virginia,
except in so far as the blow AIMED at the leader
shall unavoidably fall upon ti'se who, anxious
to shield him from just ret: bution, forget the
necessity Of care for their own safety. We
frankly confess that in c,r determination 10
pursue policy Of concliation with the Doug
las Democracy in Virginia, and to keep our
temper, if possible, we assume tact OF Chris
tan iorbearancc, worthy of one much more
inclined to ,nartyrdom than ourselves and
one more practced in the preccpt which en-
Joins upon us to return "good for evil Sena
Tor Douglas in his speech upon the Capitol
Snuare did not hesitate 10 condcScend from
the dignity of his position as a.: aspirant Tor
Presidential distinction, to indulge in the gross
est yituperation Of the supporters OF Brecken'
ridge and Lane. Upon their very hearth-stone,
in the very bosom of their own people, he
did not hesitate to stigmatize the most distin'
ouisbed Vireinians as "agitators," "dIsorgani
Sers !" "disunionists, and "allies Of Lincoln y
Such are the epithcts which Mr.. Douglas ap'
nlicd to every Southern Democratic member
Of the late United States Senate, to every De
mocratic Senator from the North except tro,
to more than thrce-fourths of the Democratic
members of the House Of Representatives, ana
to such time-honored leaders of the Democracy
rs Lewis Cass, Wm. O. Butler, Franklin PIERCE
and Daniel S. Dickinson What sin has LEWIS
Cass committed that now, after more tnal' stA,y
wears of devoted service to his country, "niie
trembling upon the verge OF Sra'e " ~ ~ :.
future Mecca for the pious vstta'iohs VI n'
patriotic countrymen, he should ne !huS u, pI1ss
cuted and denounced rs 'dlsun'oI,st' H1.N I'm
YOU, Douglas men, you VINO 'ote.' ~. 'iu' ~.
pras;dent in lS4S his treason Consists u, ms
srnnort of Breckinridge and Lane When did
Ppppl.,;- pierce become q disunionlst: IS nc
nat the same Franklin Pierce with the same
ys eJa,;tn r. the Constitution, and attachment to
tbs | Union. who retired from the Presidency
three years ago, amid the rapturous applause OF
Union % men throughout the nation: But tido'
Iitr To the Union now consists in subscryency
to the loathsome despotism Of Squatter Sove
reicnty, and President Pierce, albeit elected to
the Presidency by vote unparalleled in its
unanimity, and althoug h canonized by the DE,
mocray three years ago, is now ''traitor" ano
an ALLY Of Lincoln" because he has pronoun.
ced the nomination of Douglas by "HumP