Year: 1860

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 democratic heart of the nation with gloomy

 sadness. All the circumstances attending

 tnis unfortunate event, are now matter O history and before the public, thus render Ing recapltulation unnecessary on my part

 only desire to say that the great de- mocratlc party of the nation, to which ii has been our pride and boast to belong, is now for the first time in the annals of the republic dlsmembered by open revolt.- he seceders, composing some six of the thlrty-three States of the Union, have erect ed themselves into separate and independ- ent organization, calling a national conven- tion in opposition to the regular democratic organization, to nominate candidates of their own for President and Vice President of the United States.

 The effect of this is too apparent; for if 1t succeeds the democratic party can no longer control the destinies of this nation. It must of necessity fall into the hands of our open and declared enemies, the black republicans, and our rights and interests be meted out to us by higher law'' than the constitution of the country. Such a state of things could not, and should not be endured by the South. If this occur the dissolution of the government is inevi- table, with all its disastrous train of con sequences, and confidence will be annihila- ted, dragging down prices, until the man of wealth to-day, will be the poor man of to- morrow, and the poor man of one day the beggar of the next. Immediately on its heels internecine war, and in rapid success sion other disruptions, until at last we shall present to the world the humiliating spec tacle of Ancient Greece about the close of the third Punic war--split up into many little confederacies, bound together by the Amphicyeonic and Eonic leagues, which were nothing more than treaties offensive and defensive, only serving to keep up in- ternal broils and wasting wars among the confederacies.

 But l would not have you take counsel of your fears. If, on examination of the platform presented by the democratic party at Charleston, you are of opinion that we of the South lose one single constitutional right we have, or are entitled to, then it is your duty to hazard all on the cast, join in with this new party. or any other party, and sacrifice all, rather than submit to wrong. As to myself if so believed, and this Union was one vast magazine, I would apply the torch and blow 1t into countless fragments, invoking one general ruin to swallow all, before 1 would submit. The question is, does the democratic platform present such a state of things? If so, why was it not found to be anti-democratic and sectional sooner? For it is essentially the same platform as was adopted at Bal timore in 1852, carrying Mir. Pierce in tri- umph to the Presidencv-and the Cincin. natl platform of 1856, on which the great battle under Mr. Buchanan was fought and won. If these principles were right then, they are right now, and the prosperity of the country attest their truth Recollect principles never change-thev are the same to-day, tomorrow and forever-alike suit ed to all times, all countries and climates unfading, immutabe and eternal--in fact, possessing some of the attributes of Deity itself

 'Tis such a platform that the seceders now impiously denounce, calling on you to stultify your previous course; for there is not one of you that reads this (and 1 call on you to attest the fact that did not in- dorse the principles of the Cincinnati plat form four years ago. Then the non inter- ference doctrine was all we asked, and that is what we now ask in the Charleston plat form-whilSt this new party demands congressional intervention, or a slave code for the territories.

 But 1 am inclined to think they will re- cede from their demands, when they read the dispatch of yesterday, informing us that the lower branch of Congress had just in- tervened and passed law repeating the pro- slavery laws of New Mexico. This is an that may persuade our seeding friends to retrace their steps, and again stand with us on the old democratic plat form, which has worked so well in times past, proving itself broad enough and strong enough for any democrat to stand upon and so honorable for the interest of the South. May God incline them to so honorable course.

 I know will be expected to give my opinions as to the course we should pursue under the present embarrassing circumstan ces. Hence l avow l am in favor of con- ciliatory measures towards our seeding friends, for do not doubt but that they were actuated from motives as pure and patriotism as exalted as that which moves the democratic party itself

 The party then should be liberal and magnanimous and throw wide the doors, that the prodigals may once more worship in the true temple of democracy.

 They meet in convention about the time we do; perhaps by that time they will listen to the voice of reason. In the mean time there is but one course left to the demo- cracy, and that is to fill mp their delegation. There are six vacancies. 1 know of no other way to fill these. than calling a State convention at the earliest practicable mo- ment to give notice, and enable the dele gates to reach Baltimore in time To this end suggest to the central committee the calling of the convention at Little Rock on Tuesday, the 9th of June. I doubt not but the patriotism of the party will re- spond to the call in full convention. There is another reason why the call is impor tant; I am determined never to go dele gate to another convention under in~truc lions. I musi be left free and untrameled to do the best I can for the party. If my friends have not confidence l will do that, some one else must serve them. Instruc- tions have brought us into the present diem ma: and when the State convention meets I shall be ready to surrender the Trust re- posed in me, and if that is not done, shall feel myself absolved from all obligations to instructions and shall follow my own iudg- ment as to what is for the best interest of the party. Dr. Stirman, my colleague, is absent and I am not authorized to speak for him, but have no doubt he will concur in the main in these views.

 Your ob't humble serv't,

 1T B. FLOURNOY.

 May 11M, 1860.

 r. S. I take this opportunity of apolo- gizing to my friends in St. Francis and Jackson counties, the democracy of which I was to address about this time by appoint ment. But the illness of my wife calls me to Kentucky with sudden haste, and must forego the pleasure of meeting them.- IT o,ro,-or bopo to ro+urp bofora tho oon