The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-22
Communicated.
Communicated.
THE WASHINGTON SENIOR DEMOCRAT.
&c ASSOCIATION

THE WASHINGTON SENIOR DEMOCRAT
&c ASSOCIATION
Great credit is certainly due TO this old Spartan
band Of democrats. Their first efforts as politi-
Clans commenced in the year 1881; and they organ
lied themselves under the name of Hickory Club.
II was then composed of clerks Of the several de-
partments and of citizens, but chiefly of mechanics
and laborers. These entered into formal association
for the avowed purpose of cOunteracting the gross
misrepresentation and ISLANDERS which the federal
party had propagnted against the democratic party,
under the auspices of their leading organ the "Na-
tional Journal" They had then assumed to them
selves the title Of the great ichg party and had adopt
ed this new and imposing name in consideration Of
the vast influence they had derived from the great
rhiie monster IN Chestnut street But with all their
combined forces, and with England to back them the
resstess power of democratic truth prevailed against
them, and the mighty citadel of federal monopoly
| and oppression fell to the earth and buried thou
| sands under its ruins. Those who could not enter
the temple, but remained outside gazing with as
enlistment upon the wreck and general destruction,
rallied again in 1886 upon "Tippecanoe" and found
clear field at, the seat of government. The Demo-
cratic Association, depending upon the strength and
| security of their party throughout the country did
not reorganize, and left quite formidable array of
Iippecanoes In possession of all the ISLANDERS they
could possibly rake together; and this relaxation of
their efforts-this want of energy and vigilance on
their part, they firmly believe, put in jeopardy
the democratic party, and was near proving its over
throw. Fortunately for the country, however, we
succeeded in placing MIR. Van Buren, in the presi-
Dental chair
| In 1889, the wing convention met at Harrisburg
and, from the fatterng encouragement received du-
ring the canvass of 1886, they rallied once more
under the old banner of Tippecanoe; and, in order
to give their patchoord the magic of poetry, they
added "Tyler too" In the following spring Of
| 1910, the same Spartan band--the old Democratic
Association--found it necessary to reorganze them
selves, and bring all their energies into immediate
| action. But, from the supineness in which the as
ISOLATION had too long INDUCED, arising from fan
ced security, and, from the important advantages
gained by the wings at the previous session of Com
| gress-havng managed to mature their dark and
deep-laid plans, and to propagate them under the
enlightened auspices Of log-cabins, coon-sleins and
cider-barrels-the minds Of the people were misled
and contaminated; and, from such continued ex-
hibition of vulgar debauchery and disgusting num-
merry, the great masses were bamboozled and utter
ly swept from their propriety. II became impossi-
BILE for the utmost vigilance and energy of the demo-
cratic party, at that stage fthe canvass couneract
such disastrous effects The fatal consequence was the
overthrow of the democracy. But their indomita-
BILE spirit still slrvved and their principles like eer-
nal TRUTH though crushed to earth, soon rose again
| in all their purity and vigor.
II may not be amiss to state that in 1640 the only
real organized effort made to resist the extensv We
operations carried on during the campaign, at the
wing fraDkingro in the City Hall, land no doubt
at the expense of the tax.payer) was conducted in
the front room of painting establishment ON Penn
| sylvania avenue, and sustained throughout at the
heavy cost chiefly Of its philosophical proprietor.
Yet, when their limited means were opposed to the
vast resources of the hungry and maddened party in
opposition, the effects Of the former were scarcely
felt; and, although their noble exerons proved vain
and unsuccessful, this democratic band not dis
mayed, but from that hour they commenced and
kept up regular correspondence with citizens and
committees of the several States in order TO rally
again, they resolved to rally, under the gallant
flag Of Mr.. Van Buren, From almost every point
of the compass they received the most fatering re-
sponses and assurances that their patriotic efforts
would be appreciated and sustained by the whole
democratic party.
In August, ls43 this same little band again form
ed themselves into committee of l6, mot to ex-
coed 26 for the purpose of urging the claims of Mr.
Van Buren,; and consequently issued a pamphlet
with that view. Their exertions in his behalf were
unceasing, until his celebrated letter on the Texas
question was offered to the public, While they adj
vocated his claims in preference TO those of any 9TH
er, they held themselves prepared to abide the de-
cision of the Baltimore convention. When the re-
| suit of that convention was announced in Washing
ton, although it produced deep and painful disap-
ponment at first this committee with their Jealous
friends and co-laborers, rallied in front of the Ma
| tional Theatre, fixed up stage, adorned it with
transparency inscribed with the ratification of Polk
and Dallas, and Young Hickory against the world ;
| and then their abors and the battle commenced.
Congress had just adjourned. The democracy of
the city consisted chiefly of poor mechanics and a
few others Of limited resources, and these waited
upon the democratic members Of Congress to ascer-
tain if they had provided means and appointed
regular committee for the purpose of battling with
| the wing committee, who had arrayed themselves
and marshalled their forces for the campaign. The
answer was, that nothing had been done, and that
too by Appointment member of the party, who is now
! a member of the cabinet He further remarked that
the democratic party in Congress had agreed upon
nothing; that is, they had decided upon no particu-
lar plan Of operaonsj and that he sa,ed The result
| But this damper thrown upon the committee, even
| from such quarter, did not dshearten them, nor
parayze the sturdy and brawny snews of their de-
mocracy. The indomitable proprietor of the old
paint shop repaired forthwith TO the Globe Office;
and, having compiled the most important documents
had one hundred thousand struck off for circulation
1t is well known tina. their influence was soon felt,
and gave powerful impetus to the cause. That
| veteran of Jackson democracy, the old painter
wrote to prominent friend in Jefferson county Vir-
gina, Mr.. Lucas, requesting him to present hick
DRY pole TO be erected in front Of the Globe Office
This request was readily complied with, and the
pole was erected at cost of nearly 5000 sum
that was drawn chiefly from the hard earnings of
the mechanics. Then the war-whoop was sounded
and the press went nobly to work to counteract
tho infamous ISLANDERS set ahoat by the reckless
wing committee against Polk Dallas, and do
mocracy, and the consigned dead LET Il not be
forgotten that the whole-soued John C.. Rives
poured out his treasure like water, TO sustain
land advance the glorious cause. He is one Of
the granite pillars in the temple Of democracy; and,
by his profpse liberaty and gentlemanly bearing,
he has secured the esteem and admiration Of both
parties.l Then, when the question Of torture came
from the adversary, "Who is James X. Poik?'' the
ready reply from these rough and hardy Locos, was,
1--WE will tell you in November, and show him in
person on the fourth of March next" In due time
The scales fell from their eyes, and the demonstra.
| ton was riumphantly made
From the 18th July until The result in New York
was ascertaiued the old paint shop was the mpreg-
nabe fortress from which the volleys Of hot-shot
were poured into the enemy, without ceasing, day
and night The midnight lamp bore witnesa 10 their
manly action and patriotic lahors. The battle was
gloriously won; and this gallant band after spend
! ing their hard earnings, and deyoting their whole