Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-15
P @ l. [ I [ C A L.
The reunion of the National
Democracy on the Baltimore
Platform,

The reunion of the National
Democracy on the Baltimore
In former number we attempted to show
the imperative demand now made by the condi-
tion of public affairs upon every democrat for
the 'reanion Of the democratic party for the pre-
se,ration Of the Union. This being clear
duty, how shall it best be performed,
All experience has demonstrated that this re-
union cannot be effected upon any national plat
form that does not exclude entirely STARE asita-
fon as political party test The soundest
and safest democratic statesmen have taken
this view from the beginning, and, so long as
it was adhered 10, it resulted in the triumph of
the democracy and the cohesion of the Union.
In the presidential election of 1913, it was de-
parted from by a considerable portion of the
northern democracy; and the result then was
a national defeat. the fruit of which has ever
since been fast ripening into national disunion.
Let us trace the course of the democratic
party, in its national organization, and see how
completely this position has been demonstrate
ed, and how exactly the prophecies of demo-
cratic statesmen have been fulfilled, touching
the effects Of slave agitation upon the business
of congress, the nationality of the democracy
and the union of the states
We go back to 1885, when, as has been al
ready stated, slave agitation first became
fixed element in national politics, and was seiz-
ed upon by the wings to divide the northern
and southern democrats upon this conflicting
sentiment and interest. The democratic party
were then obliged to take their stand, as a ma
tional party, between norihaa aboEtonism and
southern notification. Geographical lines
were attempted 10 be drawn exclusively upon
this domestic issue, and to array the north
against the south, the south against the north.
On the one hand, Mr.. Van Buren,, the demo-
cratic candidate, was arraigned at the north as
a northern man with southern principles =
As vice president he had taken the ground of
excluding slave agitation from congress, and
had gone even further than that, by giving his
casting vote in favor of prohibiting the circula-
tion of abolition publications thr ough the post
office. A portion, and but a small portion then,
of the northern democracy suffered themselves
to be led aside by the whig cry that Mr.. Van
Buren was subServient TO the south, and was
untrue to the north on the slave question. On
the other hand, a southern section, at the head
of which stood Mr.. Calhoun, (always formda-
BILE in opposition, from his transcendent talents,
but powerless in success, from his extreme
impricticability, doubted and denounced Mr.
Van Buren, as not going far enough with the
south
Such was the position Of the party when the
national convention was held in 1885. They
had to choose between the two extremes of
north and south, and they took the safe ground,
excluding both elements, and laying the basis
of a national platform upon slave agitation
which was ample for the whole Union. The
convention of that year passed no resolutions,
but they adopted an address, which was distinct
and clear on this point. On the committee
which reported that address were Slas Wright
of New York, Andrew Stevenson of Virginia,
Robert Strange of North Carolina, and Jared
W. Williams of New Hampshire. 1t would
be profitable to quote the whole of this address
on the slave question, for it has already be-
come history teaching by example, but we must
be content with few quotations to show its
genuine spirit of patriotism, and the prophetic
wisdom with which it uttered the united voice
of the democratic national convention OF 1885.
Extracts from the Democratic National Address
of 1885
sWe come now, fellow citizens, TO another
objection, and probably one Of the most mis-
chievous aud wicked that has ever been made
against the peace and happiness of any coun-
t:y. IL rs the attempt To create sectional par
ties and divisions, and 10 ALLEVIATE one portion
OF Our country from the rest, by charging up
on the supposed defects of our complicated
system tie calamfIies which evil men are
themselves endeavoring 10 bring about. In
different parts of our country we see mis-
guided men attempting TO weaken the bond
of union, by exciting the north against the
south aud the south against the north. The
peculiar differences in the social orcaniza>
ton of these two sections of our country is
ever ready and fruitful subject 10 create
these jealousies and dissensions. 1t has ever
been fundamental article in the republican
creed, that these relations were not by the
constitution brought within the scope of fed
eral powers, and that congress has rs litile
right to interfere with the domestic relations
OF master and apprentice in Massachusetts,
or master and servant in Virginia, as they
have TO mcddie with similar social relations
in Great Britain, France Or Spain. So deep
ly rooted is this conviction, that it is incor-
porated in the democratic creed, aud consli-
Iutes one of the broad lines Of separation be-
tween the strict construclionisis OF the Jeffer-
sonian school, and the latiludnarians or con-
solodarionisrs, under all The Prolean coors
Thus repubicanism is the safest guaranty OF
the stability of our Union.
Let then the republican party everywhere
stand firm and united, and trusting to these
principles fear not Alfwili be safe And
why shall not the democracy Of all quarters
Of our Union, and the several states, implc-
lty contide in each other! They entered
inIo this confetleracy as independen; states,
with the express stipulation that each state
reserved to itself llie right OF managing its
domestic concerns and social relations in its
own way. The people of no state, therefore
can violate that compromise on which the
Union is based and call themselves republi-
can.
Listen to the admontion of a man of the
soundesl and most experienced head and the
purest and most patriotic heart, JAMES MAD
isoN, one of the most distinguished founders
of our constitution. But this deteslabe ef-
fort to ALLEVIATE one portion OF our country
from the rest, and enieeble the sacred ties