Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-11-01
POLITICS OF THE DAY.
THE DIVISIONS OF THE Locoroco PARTY
tnos ran aIcnnosp wHls o. ocro... 70

PROM THE RICHMOND WIG or ocrox..
We notice that some Of the Wbv nres,a. .;.,
a strange forgennlness of the past are 6pd;n. 49,.
ISOLATION in the jeaouses and hearburninos sro,,,,
the leaders OF the Locofoco party. These homes
are utterly futile. The old adage will be disproyed
however our adversaries may wrange. These dis.
sefsions are frequently counterfeied TO parayze the
efforts of the~Whgs, but real or counterfeit they
cease at the polls. All the chickering's stop there
the different factions unite, like the deadly compo-
nents of the bomb-shell, to strike blow at the
country and the Constitution.
Let us look at the events Of the past year. Be-
fore the Baltimore Convention, we saw the self
styled Democratic party divided into hundred fac
tions-Tarif men at the North abusing Free-tra-
ders at the South--a Democratic Congress refusing
to annul the act of Wing majority-Van Buren,
men denouncing Calhounites, and uice uersa, in
terms which nothing but an intimate knowledge Of
each other would enable them to use-with no
principles in common but an Incorporating love
Of power, an unrelenting hatred Of HENRY CLAY.
Under these seemingly inauspicious circum-
stances they met in conclave They established
the highly democratic two-hirds rule, which deci.
ded in effect that minority shall rule majority.
They cast aside their instructions, and proceeded to
nominate candidate for their motley party. What
was the principle of selection! Not ability, for
they might have found it not distinction, nor yet
time-honored services. No. The rallying cry
was, save the party, save the spoils The pious
Butler, with all the subdety OF fnancer, and all
the feryor of divine fresh from pilgrimage to
that Mecca of Democracy, the Hermitage, after
loud professions of love for his patron, touched the
train which had been laid, and James X. Polk
stepped forth the chameleon candidate, changing his
hue from every object, with promises for every
section Of the country, and ready to prove faihless
to them all.
What were the principles Of this party more
discordant mass was never collected. Beaten before
the people on the great and true issues they looked
around for some war-cry, which, however senseless,
might rally the fanthearted. I" Democracy was
potent, but its frequent use had made it somewhat
musty. In fortunate hour TO them) their eye
rested on Texas, and deserving their country for
semblance Of principles, they sang loud hosannas
to the glories Of annexation. Then came the I" SCI
cret circular an evolution Of the Albany Junto
the letter to Kane, a cunning mystery to mislead
the good people Of Pennsylvania and, finally, the
loud appeal to every ofeighcr-and the base veto.
ry was achieved. Intelligence, honesty, and virtue
cast aside, and the demagogue sat himself down in
the seat of Washington. Then came the division
of the spoils. The Treasury was deemed but fair
equivalent for the Texas letter; the War Depart
ment healed the " solution Of continuity" in Gov.
Marcy's breeches; and District Attorneyshp sup
piled the sainted Butler with the amount Of specie,
which he needed quite much as the stated
preaching of the Gospel" at Sandy Hill.
And thus are healed all the divisions of this par
ty The clamorous are rewarded the disafected
threatened with the lash the " secret circular" is
hlshed up; and Benton, after greatdisplay of mock
patriotism the coquery Of political prostitution,
dimes with the Cabinet and promises his aid in the
matter of public printing. None but the Chivalry
seemed really disposed to take arms. They find
that the election Of Polk does not restore the fer
ty Of the worn lands of South Carolina, nor pro-
mise to make Charleston importing city, and
still strive to bring about by fnespun theories what
nothing but industry, economy, and perseverance
can effect.
Here is. one leaf from the chapter of Democracy.
and il proves how utterly vain is the hope that any
good is to result from the apparent dissensions Of
this party. The Treasury will always be centre
of attraction, and will ever prevent too great CEN
trifugal force Let us forbear, then, 10 place any
reliance on SO feeble hope, and turn TO a surer
safeguard
g In native swords and native ranks,
Our only hope OF courage dwels"
Let us preserve the integrity of the Wing Party,
through good and through evil report. Standing on
the platform of the Constitution, with no wish but
for the restoration of country, we must succeed
at last. Adversely will bring its wholesome lesson,
and Locofocoism, after spreading desoation for
time, will depart like the cholera or the plague, and
be no more.