The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-13

In the political aspect OF the present moment there Is
perhaps nothing 50 remarkable the almost enre dis
appearance IN the democratic ranks OF the once threat
enng excitement on the subject of the Proviso in the new
territories This day twelve months many good Democrat
DOUBTED whether because OF a diversity of opinion or
TINS question, any national democratic convention coult
be safely held-or indeed. be held al all Nor the da,
Tor the assembling of that convention IS close upon NJ
and no one magnes that the Proviso is to have any dis
turblng OF disastrous effect upon its deliberations The
dfheuly has almost disappeared Among the national
democracy II Is alive only in the State of New York and
there II lives only in the lingering vitality of an old sec
nonal and personal quarrel As an element OF practea
dsunon IN the democratic party of the country the Pro-
VSo has not even the force OF good plausible pretsnc
II VIII not do any longer, for mask II Is not Ia
be denied that this good result has been brought about
IN large measure by the frank and statesmanke manner
IN which leading statesmen OF the democratic party have
met the question is, of course attributable in still
greater extent to the PATRIOTISM the moderation and the
justice OF the democratic masses
But how stands this matter with our opponents The,
have not candidate for the presidency with any show
OF strength IN his favor who daTes 10 take any position
or make any distinct apoI0al Of opinion upon the subject
Mr. Clay tells that he SIS opposed war for the ex-
tension Of slavery" Up to that point of expcitness he
travels fearessy-and up to that point all the world
travels with him Beyond that, he does not 90 Gen
Taylor has not far as know found room even for
the word Provso" or the topic 10 which refers in
any of his leers-eary or recent long or
short-save when the editor of the Signal" epanned
the old General into most premature and injudicous
approval OF OF his political eaders"-a trek which,
up this day. dare to say the General has never for
given him OF General SCOTS views upon this question
nothing is known. Among all their candidates who can
be said to be fairly in the field this moment-whigs and
half whigs-sodiers and poltcians-avaabes and non
avalabes-he great wing party find single one
who already has taken who dare 10 take any
fined position rhateUer in black and white ''under his
hand and pen," upon the question OF slavery in
the new territories
The reason is obvious Just as soon as the wing can
ddate shall take any position upon that question: he
fears that he lose half his party strength On the
ground and doctrine of the Proviso the wings OF the
north have BEEN for the last years. fighting against
their countrys par Having paid, a party, such a
price for that doctrine they certainly cannot now reln-
quish it or compromise upon it Because of the
Proyiso question: the wings Of the south were forced
most reluctantly 10 embrace the iata issue OF no more
territory To justify this, they only plead oppos
ton 10 the Proviso. They, too, them in position
to compromise recede, make upon that oppo-
ston. Upon the whole subject the whig party-now
that, by the ratification Of the treaty the ''noerory
dodge has failed them-has not and does not pre-
tend have, any middle ground whatever of harmony
and union The northern wings and the southern wings
wholly and undenably issue with each other upon
the whole subject The significant silence of their can
dda.es proves that they hope of adjusting or com
posing their differences.
How and whether the wing convention at Phadel-
phia viii find erpeaent to sumount this difficulty
vet remains to be seen None has yet been suggested
and il is about time that the suggestion should come
Political decorum requires that even the wings should
not wheel into new party position TOO suddenly