Democratic Banner

"It is now obvious to every observer, that there are three distinct parties in this State, and in many of the States of the Union. They are the Democratic, the Whig and the Disunion. This latter party is mainly furnished or made up out of the democracy, and in some States, is a majority of that party, but every where has the audacity to call itself the democratic party."

Jefferson Inquirer.

For some time past the Inquirer has been uttering, or made to utter many things which its editors knew to be false.

The design of the above extract is still in keeping with its former course, but the words themselves are fraught with truth. There are these parties now in our country and their names are properly given-the democratic, the whig and disunion parties.

The democratic party is the same it has always been-advocating the rights of the people and the sovereignty of the States.— It contends that-the powers of Congress are limited under the constitution, and that none should be exercised except those expressly granted in that instrument. It is the great conservative party of the country. It watches the interest of the people, and indignantly frowns down every attempt to corrupt our institutions, or pervert them from the original aim and object of our forefathers. It looks to every section of the Union and endeavors, in a spirit of justice, to legislate for the common benefit of all. It takes the Constitution for its chart, and clings to its provisions as the only hope for the perpetuity of our liberties, It guards against the consolidation of power in the hands of the Federal Government, and checks its tendencies towards a dangerous aristocracy, that has unfortunately closed the fate of all republics existing before us. In a word, it stands as the guardian of constitutional rights, against the assumption of power or unjust aggression. It regards its officers as agents to reflect the people's will, and holds them to a strict accountability. It looks to the compromises of the constitution, and follows the example of those who cemented the bonds of our Union.

The whig party too, we are proud to believe, is actuated by the most patriotic motives, in the advocacy of its favorite measures. Its members urge them with zeal, under a full conviction no doubt, of their utility to the country. They too, have often evinced their patriotism by deeds, that proved their devotion to our common welfare. They only seek, in common with the democratic party to secure "the greatest good to the greatest number," but differ in the means to be used.

But what shall we say of this contemptible faction denominated the disunion party? It is alone composed of abolitionists and free-soilers, who seek to violate the compact of union, and trample upon the rights of their brethren. They proclaim that the constitution was "conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity" --that a portion of the confederacy is polluted with crime, and that morality and religion demand at their hands a temporal and spiritual separation. They mock the spirit of compromise and spurn the words of conciliation. Their numbers are small, it is true, but misguided men such as the Editor of the Inquirer, in daily giving them "aid and comfort" in their work of treason. Their motto is to rule or ruin. Justice is no check to their wild fanaticism, and the guaranties of the constitution and disregarded in their heedless career. It is their petitions that ask a dissolution of the Union, and they alone give them countenance of support in the councils of the nation. Designing politicians and slavish writers may attempt to deceive the people, and disguise this matter for selfish purposes, but yet the voice of reason speaks that these alone are the disunion party. Then let the whig and democratic parties withdraw from them all encouragement whatever. Let them unite, as they are doing, to stamp the seal of condemnation upon their reckless course. Let the voice of stern rebuke from every section, be made to ring in their ears, until they cease to agitate the country for sinister ends. When such men as Cass and Webster join with Southern statesmen to condemn their dangerous course, should we refuse to unite with them in their laudable efforts to preserve the Union and the Constitution? Shall it be said that some of our own citizens, who affect to love the union so ardently, are lending their encouragement, by excusing their wrongs and charging them upon others? They who desire to see the Union preserved and the blessings of our free institutions perpetuated, should speak boldly the sentiments of their own hearts, and cease to echo the promptings of malice or human ambition. Truly is this a disunion party. and it behooves every patriot to frown it down, and refuse to countenance it either by word or deed.