Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-10
THE DEMOCRACY.

the country, principally members Of the "Natinnal
Democratic Committee" appointed by the las, Bal
timore Convention, has recently been Published in
the New York Herald. II is said that Senator
Wssrcorr. formerly Of Florida but now connected
with the Herald, got possession Of the letters and
gave them TO the public. The correspondence is
about the "Iichest" that has ever issued from the
press. and beautifully exposes the plans adopted by
the Democracy to ensure their party success. 1t
was gotten up by Mr. DONALDSON, of Texas, aud
Mr.. GREER, Of Iowa, in regard to the coming Pres
dential election, and embraces letters from Chase,
Giddings, Woodbury., King of Alabama, Comman-
der of Soolh Carolina, Van Buren, and many others
-Unionisis and Disunonists, Aboitionists and Sc
cessonists, National Democrats and State Rights
men! The Washington Republic well remarks
that the correspondence is sufficiently miscefa-
neous, and tho experiment of bringing together such
elements to cooperate for the re- establishment Of
the Democratic party satisfactory basis, and
with satisfactory candidate, is TO say the leas'
uncommonly enterprisng.
The key to the correspondence is to be found in
letter from Mr.. Donaldson 10 Mr. Greer, dated
August 10Th, Of which the following are extracts:
"From the tone of our correspondence we have
ample assurances that the convention will be with
us, and be composed mostly Of Houston men, who
wl.otesawe all opposition, and secure our object.
In regard To platforms, avoid all new tests. especial
| ly land reform. Partly re-affirm the Baltimore
platform. ,oithout offending our Free soil allies, ,ho
have pledged Themselves in good faith to as, as
their vule will be most formidable, you may depend
upon it, and we can afford to make few sacrifices
OF the South, where 80 irascble a disposition is
shown.
"Van Buren, and Croswell's influence secures
New York certain, and their friends everywhere.
Chase and Giddings may lie relied upon TO The at
most IN Ohio, and zee are IN hopes TO handle the
aires eUen IN Massachusetts. General Houston, Il
have the hest means of knowing, will be ON him
self shortly to take charge OF The wires"
Thus it seems Gen. HousroN is counting the Alb
olitionis.s, and "Chase and Giddings may be re-
lied upon 10 the utmost" 10 promote his nomination
and election 10 she Presidency Notwithstanding
Mr.. Donaldson's assertion, however, there is moth
ing in the letters TO show that the Democratic Ma
tional Convention alluded to in the above extracts,
will be composed mostly of Houston men who will
overawe all opposition" The writers do not com
nit themselves to any aspirant, but generally seem
to wish TO act with the party, whoever may be
their candidate. Bul their letters, containing pr-
vate opinions conlideniially expressed, afford Some
interesting developments as TO The stale of the par
ty in their respective sections OF the country
Thus, B. + Ilallet, Of Boston, Chairman of the
Democratic Committee, says the question of sus-
tanning the Compromises the last Congress must
be made the test issue, but continues, In this State
massachusetts, The Democracy is about disband-
ed, and merged in Free soiIism." Chase, on the
other hand, in a letter published n the same series
but written for another occasion, says
"Ceaseless efforts are now made, in certain quar-
ters, to commit the Democracy 10 The support UYthe
Compromise measures Of the last Congress, adopt
ed under tho auspices and through the influences Ut
the existing Wing Administration.
"The Compromise measures stand condemned
by Democratic principles"
MIR. Horace Clarke, of Vermont, says the Free
soil Abolition party has drawn largely from the
Vermont Democracy the last two years, and they
cannot in any possible event expect to carry The
State; while Mr.. Britain, of Alabama, writes (pre
vious to the late election) very discouragingly Of
the party prospects in his State, as follows:
1.-The Wing party of Alabama, under their new
name of Union are making extraordinary efforts
! to carry the State; and as the old Democratic
States Rights party have not only 10 fight their old
enemy with new and popular name, but also the
influence of The Washington Union, and of such
men as Cobb, Foote, Clements, and many others,
who are now body and soul in the hands of our en-
emes, it may be that defeat awaits u.s."
In Rhode Island the Democracy seem not TO
trouble themselves much abOut Union OF Disunon,
Slavery or Anti slavery, but, according to the Hon.
George H. Browne, leading member of the State
Legislature, "Money is the great element in Rhode
Island" One gentleman is highly commended BY
Mr.. Browne because che gives, when necessary,
his money (and he has to give)," and another he
thinks evil work with the National party" and
he is man Of .'immense wealth."
The representative of South Carolina in the
correspondence, General Commander. regards any
movement in reference TO the next Presidency as
unnecessarily his opinion "the days Of the Fed
eral Union are numbered" He proposes, howev-
to "expa,rate" the Submissionisls and suggests as
an ,dlimat,m of S. Caroiina, that Congress shall
buy back California up to thirty six thirty. But
"Having nothing 10 hang hope upon That Con-
gress will do this, | look with certainty to the Sc
cession Of South Carolina next year, probably be-
fore the meeting of the Democratic Convention in
that event. as her child, am with her as long as
life lasts"
CHANGE OF PLAcE.-The Central Com
mittee, as perceived by their announce
ment published in this paper, have adhered
to the day originally fixed for the assem-
bling of the Wing State Convention, but
have changed the place from Staunton to
Charlottesville. We much regret this de-
termination of the Committee, but never
theless acquiesce in it, and hope the dele
gates from the West will not be deferred
from attending by the short additional dis
lance they will have to travel. The follow
ing Counties and Towns have appointed
delegates, besides some we have forgotten
and many others who will take action at
their September County or Superior Courts
viz: Richmond, Petersburg, Frederick, AL
bemarle, Berkeley, Augusta, Fauquier, Flu
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