Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-03-09
COLUMBIA DEMOCRAT,
BLOOMSBURG, PA.
Democratic State Convention

Democratic State Convention
The Democratic State Convention, which
assembled i'll Harrisburg on the 2Ist and
22d ult, was not like the remnant of a
conquered and subdued party. Never in
the history of the Democratic party of
Pennsylvania, not even in the DAYS of its
power, did a convention contain more able
men inspired with more earnest, devoted
and unselfish patriotism. The leading
minds OF the State came from their retire
ment in this the hour of their countrvs
greatest peril, to consult together, ,and take
the position best calculated to restore the
Union, as it was formed by the fathers, in
spirit of ami'y and mutual concession -
The difference so lately dividing the Dem.
oeratlc party into hostile camps disappear,
ed In the presence of the great danger TO
the Union, and the conclusions unanimous.
ly arrived at by the Convention demon
strated what it so happily expressed in the
resolutions--"tlatth the Democratic marty
possesses the recuperative power which
nothing but integrity can give"
Nothing could afford stronger illustra.
ton Of this conscious integrity possessed
by the Democratic party, ia common with
all conservative citizens who opposed the
destructive spirit of sectionalism, which
eliminated in the election of Lincoln, than
the simple fact that less than four months
"T'e4 " N~--r' 4, - ai4-.--------., .nc
largest and abIest convention Of the DEM
ocratic party, containing many of the best
and most patriotic citizens of the State ,as-
sembled at the capital to re-aiirm their
devotion to those National principles which,
while triumphant,preseryed US as one pco-
ple-when defeated, have brought us to
the verge Of National dissolution and dey-
astatlAg civil strife. The Democratic par.
ty was defeated, but its principles remain
triumphant. The success of the Republi-
cans has only served to illustrate the ne
cessity for the maintenance Of National
ideas, and the odious and perlons charac-
ter of sectionalism. The victorious party
has destroyed itself by its apparent tri-
umph' The yanqushed party emcrges
from the contest with its principles unim-
pared and its banner untarnished. The
people now See and deeply regret the mis-.
take they made in yielding to the bland
ishmcnts of the sectonalists, who assured
them that there was no danger to be ap-
pretended from the election of Lincoln
and because they were deceived and be-
trayed into promoting the designs of lead
ers who Intended to exclude the Southern
States, and to form Union composed eG.
tirely Of Northern States, is their wrath
aroused against the authors of the disasters
that have followed so closely in the foot
steps OF republican success to demonstrate
the spurious nationality of Republican
principles. At time when the Justice of
their principles and the truth of their sol
emn warnings are too clear to be misun-
derstood, the Democratic party assembled
in the strength of conscious rectitude, and
placed itself boldly before the country as
the champion of the Union and the reso-
Lutte enemy of fFatricidal war.
The resolutions, adopted without sin
gle dissenting voice, express the pervading
sentiment, not only of the Democratic or.
ganization, but of the great mass of Union
loving citizens of Pennsylvania. They
declare in favor of the Crittenden resolu-
tions or something similar as satisfacto-
ry basis of adjustment They announce
the determination of the Democratic party
to oppose, discouptenance and prevent, by
all proper and Legitimate means, any at
tempt on tie Fart of the Republicans in
power to make armed aggressions upon
the Southern States-thus giving the
dominant party to understand that they
can receive no assistance from the De-
mocracy in the diabolical work Of plpng-
ing the country into the horrors of civil
war-ospcciqlly,s so long as unconstitutional
enactments remain pnrepealed upon the
statute books of Northern States. The
dignifed and prudent reserve of the bor-
der States and their conciliatory over
lures are very properly commended, and
the Democratic party of Pennsylvania
placed in position side by side with those
loyal and devoted, although much injured
States