The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-18


ence directly the contrary of that of the Inte-
gencer
THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE
FUTURE.
| The present condition of The Democratic par
| ly merits the calm, unprejudiced, but earnest
scrutiny of every lover OF free institutions. 1t is
from such spirit only that its principles and its
destiny can be rescued from the overwhelming
catastrophe which all the signs of the times in
dictate awaits it. The present juncture is en-
phatically crisis in the career Of that patriotic
organization, under whose auspices this Repub-
lie has attained degree of prosperity, intelli-
gence, and moral and physical power, in space
of time unexampled for the results achieved, in
the history of the world. Representing The prn.
ciple which gave existence TO This People and
whichlays at the foundation of our soca and po-
ltical superstructure-that principle which, in
separable from Christianity as il is, has done so
much to elevate mankind, and overturn the SUI
perstiton and bigotry Of the middle ages-repre-
senting this principle, we repeat the high and
sincere hopes and expectations of every friend
OF man centres in its existence and pros perty.
There is no virtue in the practice, TOO usua
among political leaders, of holding up 6 false
prints" to deceive the honest and credulous
masses, touching the prospects, designs, and re-
lative strength Of parties. II is due to the People
that the truth should be always told. 1t is worse
than idle, therefore-it is criminal-to deny that
the Democratic party at the present moment is
in imminent danger of a rout, similar TO that of
1870 There is this difference, however: that
while, by dispensation of Providence, the
principles of the party were saved from the
consequences of the events Of 1910, now they
are menaced with destruction. The Wings
will not again elect statesman schooled at the
footstool of the sage Of Monticello The strus-
gle Of 1914 will send no second John Tyler TO
the capital, 10 watch oyer and guard the work
of Jefferson and Madison Henry Clay will
come the pledged champion of all those ultra
notions of the Federal school against which The
Republican phalanx has contended ever since
the foundation Of the Republic And that he
wiHcome, perhaps as the reluctant choice of the
People Of the Union still as the preferred alter
native OF very large majority OF the People, if
Mr. Van Buren, be his competitor, we firmly
believe
This opinion is not confined TO us, but is en-
teria'ned by the most sagacious member. of the
Democratic party in and out of Congress-
Even the especial adherents of Mr. Van Bu-
rem, many Of them at least, hesitate not to ex-
press their doubts and misgivings on the subject.
Why, then, should his nomination by the Bati-
more Convention be urged with the impetuous
zeal which is evinced by his friends? Can il
be that the party and lis principles are of so lit
tie value as TO be risked for a mere personal OBJ
Ject? Are the ambitious views of the distin-
gushed politician of New York TO be gratifed
though the overthrow of the party be the con-
sequence Are such sacrifices due TO any one
member of the Republican family Should
| not doubt Of the result, or the conseouences
to the party, be conclusive against his nominal
tioh Whatever may be eur attachments or
admiration Tor eminent public men, let u. no,
loose sight ofthe truth, that party does no, de-
rive its value hom the persons who compose !,
nor It's principles from the party which upbolds
them. Parties and their champions can o,lv
claim to be sustained as Necessary AGENTS r.,
the enforcement and application Of PRINCIPLES
They can have no claim TO support when the
very support which is asked endangers all tba,
is valuable in political organizations. Let if no
announced TO the American People that prin-
| cfpfes have ceased to be the bond of union and
their ascendency the object of the Dcmocra,;c
party, and IN a month the party will itself cease
TO exist And vet what but an ipdirect n,oci,.
nation OF this fact will be the nomination If Mr.
Van Buren, There are two modes Of spn,or,-
ing Mr.. Clay. One is the open, honest and d.
rect vote Tor hm-ihe other is to insist upon vot-
ing for an antagonist who must be beaten bv
him.
The condition of the Democratic party at This
Juncturc, though anomalous is not witbout anal
ogy. In 1924 the usages and machinery of
The party were equally perverted and emploved
TO tbwart the popular will. The result vas a
revolt OF the great body of the People, not from
the cduse, but from the unacceptable banner
and leader chosen in caucus. The candidate
Mr.. Crawford, was not only discarded by the
mass of the party, but the very machinery used
IN his nomination was Indignantly broken in
pieces. Is there not reason TO apprebcnd that
slnnar result awaits the forced action of the
Baltimore Convention Will the People tame
ly tolerate The deliberate insult 10 tbe;r updsr
standings involved in the nomination of 4, rsn-
tleInan against whom they pronounced a, th.
last ~, sidential election, with unon;m;,v ,