The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-02

. , IL
was sgnalized by the proclamation Of wha
are called the principles Of the Democracy o
ls4s. They are set down as progressive
conservation and siapery non-inferpention.
The style Of this proclamation, we are
happy to say, is Of an elevated order, anf
does no little credit to the writer. The
ideas are boldly and feicitoasly expressed
and the whole production is, we are pleased
to see, devoid Of offensive personalities
0 81 sic Omnia
The doctrines of the Democracy Of the
present year, as exhibited by the Unios Of
yesterday, certainly present different phase
from that which it wore during the foul
years Of Mr.. PoLK's administration Of
federal affairs. During that period, Demo-
cracy had a pro-slayery aspect. It dehed
the anti-slavery sentiment Of the country,
and even went before the people upon that
issue. Its defeat, under the leadership Of
Gen. CAss, has compelled it to take new
point Of departure, and non-intervention with
slavery is now its proclaimed doctrine, ac-
cording to the ukase Of yesterdays Union.
This change Of position, by our contempt
rary, who assumes to speak for the Demo-
cracy Of the country, we have been pre-
pared for, by the recent issue Of events IN
Connecticut, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Virginia.
In those States, the anti-slavery sentiment
and the slavery sentiment Of the Democratic
party openly coalesced during the spring
Just passed, and il is probable this coales-
cence will continue, until it shall unite the
Democracy Of every State in the Union,
unless it should SO happen that the slavery
question in the new Mexican territories
shall be settled within the next nine months
by the people Of those territories. In such
an eyent--an event highly probable-the
new doctrine of the Democracy Of the pre-
sent year, namely slavery non-'ntervent'o Ion,
will fall into desuetude Of itself, for want OF
field in which to operate
The change Of which we have spoken,
is in accordance with the nature Of Jackso-
MAN Democracy, which is, to change with
the course Of events and the pressure Of ne
cessity; but this variable character has never,
according to our recollection, been incorpora-
ted into the Democratic creed, as one Of its
articles of faith until now The Union pro-
claims to the country, that henceforth pro-
gressipe conservatism shall be one Of the
cardinal doctrines Of Democracy. The con-
venience Of such political principle, is OBJ
vious. II is mantle broad enough to cover
every political alteration that can be con-
ceived. While it is capable Of binding to-
gether, in one political family, the most dis
cordant materials, it loosens entirely the
bonds Of political morals. 1t substitutes in
dividual opinion as the RUE of action upon
the political body, for the opinion Of the
majority. This is the natural result Of the
three-fourths rule, which has been in vogue
as a Democratic principle Of action for
some years past. From maiorties, the De-
mocracy Of 1914 passed almost into totali-
ties, and from this point, the Democracy Of
ls4s proposes now to plunge into individu-
alities. Progressive conservatism involves
in its action the destruction of good things
as well as Of bad things. 1t is not the
voice Of the majority, but the will Of every
member Of the Democracy. 1t isno con-
servatism at all. Conservatism cannot be
progressive. lis stationary. Progressive
conservatism is only an ad cap iandum name
for Progression. Every Democrat and eve
~ body else viii know and feel, what the
Union means by this doctrine. It is con-
slant progress The desire Of constant
progress, is inconsistent with conservatism
II becomes an evil thought, and begets it
natural offspring-a desire Of change.
To allow the power Of changing its doc.
trines, views, and principles so as to make
them contribute to the objects to be gained
is to make party corrapt. Indeed, such
permission can only proceed from corrup
design. If the Union had stated the Prin
ciples Of Democracy to be centered In TIM
one object, namely, the desire and determ
nation to get and keep Office, and that all 1T
precepts and practices must conform to thu
achievement Of this one purpose, our humble
opinion is, that il would veavowed fac
which nobody could be found to doubt
Then, slavery non-intervention would b
understood to mean what il really is, a de
vice to deceive the ant-slavery sentiment Q
the Democracy Of the North into belief
that it would be respected, if Democrat
were in power in the federal government
Then, progressive conservatism would b
understood to be, mere adaptation Of par
tisan politics 10 the necessities Of the day q
an engine Of obtaining and keeping office
Knowing, as the country does, from sor
experience Of twenty years, that the Jack
son;an Democracy is animated and prompte