The Whig standard., 1844-01-26
W WASHIN G I 0 N.
FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 26. 1914.
"THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY"

1.-THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY"
Our readers have, without doubt, regarded
with some degree of solicitude the disperslons
which have sprung up in the ranks Of the self
STYLED and misnamed Democratic party. The
following editorial article, taken from the Ala
bama Tribune, an able Calhoun paper, published
at Mobile, places the matters OF difference be-
tween the contending portions Of that party in
striking point of view.
"The Democratic party is in lamentable
condition at present, and good men who have
hitherto stood by it, loving its professions and
conidlng in its honesty, find themselves con-
founded, and uncertain how to proceed On the
one side, they see party arrayed against them
in open hostility; on the other party which,
while protesting everything, has omittedmuch for
the advancement OF the principles they avow-a
party which has brought their opinions into tenn
porary odium by the evils associated with it
by making it the machinery for the advancement
Of the selfish ends of mere party men. Shall
they insist on the terms of the bond or In VIOLA
tion of them, labor to enlighten the public, in
defiance Of consequences? We say that honest
men must act up to their convictions-let God
shape the end. The result may aid in giving
(what must, under the present tendency of
things, be inevitably victory to the enemy, but
il will scourge and purify from our ranks the
poison which has infected and is destroying its
vitality On the one hand, if we preserve not
the mere brick and mortar of the temple from
destruction, we shall rescue the priests who
make it holy; on the other, the temple may be
turned into den OF thieves; priests and all may
be corrupted, and the very religion itself become
stencil in the nostrils Of the people. Victory
may destroy-defeat will chasten-and we shall
rise like the erring good man from his devotions,
renewed, invigorated, and doubly strengthened
for the conflict
"We say, then, that present defeat is not the
worst evil that can befal the Democratic party.
The truth does not die with those who profess
it, and good men must decide for themselves
how much they are willing to sacrifice for the
empty huzzas Of victory gained by relaxation
and sacrifice of principle gained by desertion
OF the cardinal faith, which has attached us to
1t. Let us wait--let us see what we have to
expect, and then decide"
1t is in more philosophical spirit, than that
Of exulting over the dispersions Of our political
adyersaries, that we are induced to remark upon
this article of the Alabama editor. To one who
writes so well, and who refers in terms SO touch
ing and so frank, to the "lamentable condition
Of the party" we would not speak in the Ian
guage of levity or reproach. We concur with
him, that there is party in this country, which,
/" while protesting everything has omitted much
for the advancement of the principles they own,"
and welds its g machinery for the advancement
of the selfish ends of mere party men," But we
have to ask the editor Of the Tribune, in all sin
ceriy. how it is that of late, for the first time,
he has discovered the facts of which he COM
plains. To us it is wonderful, that the preten-
sions of Mr.. Van Buren have not all along ap-
peared to him in the light in which he now per-
ceives them. Regarding Mr.. Van Buren's con-
duct, when compared with his professions-re-
gardng his votes in the Senate, and the votes of
those gentlemen who are supposed, par ercel-
lence to be his friends, what substantial reason
has ever existed to conduce to the supposition,
that he yas a free trade man? Was ii his
vote for the tariff Of 1928? We put the ques-
tion to the editor of the Tribune-does he not
believe that Mr.. Van Buren gave the vote which
he preferred to give for that measure SO odious
to the South We say preferred to give-for
although the vote was attempted to be explain
ed, by referring it exclusively to the influence Of
legislative Instructions who that knows Mr.
Van Buren does not know, that those insruc-
tions were the effect of that very machinery"
which, from that day to this, has been employed
for the advancement of the selfish ends of
mere party men? 2" He voted for the tariff of
1923. OF the tariff of 1842, which all candid
men must admit, falls far short of it in its pro-
tectve character, he has recently declared that
he is opposed as well "to its principles as its
details" We again put the question to the
editor OF the Tribune-does he not believe that
this declaration was the effect Of the same party
machinery g Look at the facts. An impor-
tant issue was made up before the party to
which they belong, between Mr.. Calhoun and
Mr.. Van Buren, as to the Presidency Mr..
Wright of New York had voted for the tariff Of