The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-10-10

Ihe Democracy OF Missouri
The 81 Louis Times publishes conspicuouslya com
municaton signed "yindex." which il commends 10 the
public attention coming from the pen OF one OF the
aoesi and siauncbes democrats Of the State. The wr
ters object is 10 show the 10 which the demo
cratic party OF the State may unite without sacrifice OF
principle, and thus the State from its present pe
bald whiggery" We make the following extract from
his communication:
"The democracy of the State, as everybody knows,
became divided III consequence oil the passage OF certain
resolutions by leg sature and the appeal taken by
Col Benton from instructions contained IN those resolu-
lions.
In the heat OF the contest growing ont OF this divs-
Benton and his supporters charged the friends OF the
resolutions with holding to the doctrines Of notification
and disunion and with abandoning the principles OF the
democratic party in the election OF Geyer to the Senate
10 all these charges the friends OF the resolutions plead
not guilty Ga the other hand the friends OF the
uons charged Benton and his adherens with sustaining
the doctrines OF federalism and free solism with aban
donng the Baltimore platforms with denying the rg hl OF
instructions and claiming for Congress the night to egs
late in way incompatible 1ouh The constitution The
friends OF Colonel Benton deny being guilty OF these
charges believe this to be fair but brief statement OF
the principal facts in the case and am right IN this
conclusion the conviction is irresisby forced upon the
mind that great error exists somewhere and It may
turn that instead OF there being radical difference in
upon great fundamental principles. there exists
only unfortunate misunderstanding which needs only
to be explained 10 be Ieconclled and happily adjusted
devoted riends, IRON slight misunderstanding, be-
come the most hostile and deadly enemies And how
often. again, have we seen those unhappy occurrences
explained and adjusted by the inerposton OF mutual
friends, and the former happy relations of harmony and
concord entirely restored Such is human nature The
present position Of the democratic party in this State may
prove to be a case in point.
. In our efforts to settle the questions between u.s.
should deal canddly and frankly with each other
neither deceving ourselves nor others Our own self
respect and decent regard for the opinions OF the
world alike require these things at our hands.
The friends OF Col Benton, in their support OF him,
deny that they intended thereby commit themselves
the doctrines of federalism free sosm to abandon
the Baltimore platform the right OF instruction They
also declare themselves the fast friends of the late
them 10 be both ecacious and judcious. they, I'M
deTstand them. against their repeal or modification
On the other hand, the opponents of Col Benton-hose
who favored the legislative resolutions-those who favor
ed Mr. Geyes election. and those who did not-deny that
anything they have done in the premises they intended
to commit themselves to the doctrines OF notification. dis
union, federalism whiggery. In thus summing up
the position of the two parties, do not. matter Of
course include those avowed and well-known free soil
ers of your good city.
"l / have rightly defined the position of each party
and hope have-I am unable to perceive why it is
that a reconciliation and reunion cannot be effected
To accomplish il. however, will require some sacrifice
the part OF each | mean not sacrifice OF principle
but sacrifice of feeling OF prejudice. of hatred, and also
of blind attachment We must not lose sight of princ-
ple either in love or hatred for certain men. No
man. however great, must be sustained at the sacrifice of
principle. This brings up to the main questionable
reunion Of the two parties. How shall it be done Ac
cordng to my judgment. j, ought to be done something
after the manner followng Let convention be called.
and frank declaration OF principles first be made If
these reed to- then let nominations be made OF the
best men for the various Offices.
:" In order that may be fully understood, | will here
give, in eptome. what think that declaration of prin-
cples should contain 1t should deny the power OF Con-
gress charter national bank-,o tariff for pro-
tecton--to engage in system OF internal improvements.
II should denounce nullncaon, dsunioD and free soil
ism in the strongest terms. II should reafm part
and parcel of the Baltimore PLATFORM and give the
unqualified pledge 10 stand by the late compromise the
slavery question, as should assert its broades
sense The right OF the constituent to instruct the repre-
sentative and the corresponding duty of the
tive TO obey resignwheher the constituent body be
the VOTES at the polls or the legislature II should re-
new the pledge to stand by the sub treasury system In
word il should declare the federal government Of
limited powers, and that but the delegated powers
manage its own domestic affairs and institutions"