Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-09-11

RNNt'
first question TO be determined is, can the
Democratic party Of this State unite and har-
monize again without sacrifice Of any one Of
the great principles OF the partyp We beiiecs
that Il can" But our neighbor either greatly
misreprescnts the opposing branch of the DEM
ocratic party--in inputing to their actions mo-
tiyes selfish and contemptiblc--or else there can
be nc reunion withouta coalition If, ''from
feelings Of attachment to Benton--whoI
had long been IN their service, y they consented
to sacrifice their party, such a course, in the
eyes Of every honest man, deserves to be pointed
at BY the fngeraof scorn; and, il seems to us,
that men who would destroy the effective meas
ures Of their party, in the support Of man, 'not
because Of the principles involved in this 'Ap-
peal,'" but from the comparatively insignificant
consideration of individual attachment" are
fit instruments, in the hands of designing men,
to accomplish the most illegitimate endsi yet the
number Of such men, in the State, appears to
have been very considerable. OF the two al
terhntives our preference would be the coalition.
But il is family quarrel, and we are not dis
posed to dictate terms. II would afford us inf
mite satisfactionto see them rate each other sound
lly How is it, that so many were laborng un-
der the delusion--that ''a large portion of the
party" soughtto paralize the action Of the party
merely from individual ''attachment?H 1t seems
! unreasonable that man Of Benton's influence
was suddenly dropped without his avowal, by
implication, or otherwise, Of sentiments opposed
to those of a slarge portion of his constituents.
esPrinciplen must haze been involved in the sep
aration Of the party, and coalition is the nec-
, essary consequence of reunion. Why 81
is needless to enquire into the causes that have
divided the Democratic party" is mystery. Il
seems impossible to take comprehensive view
of the condition of the parties without it. But
: Just to glanceas is our intention-at the arti-
: Gle in the Courier, will not warrant US in fully
: doing so at present. Col. Benton has beer
charged in certain quarters, (whether justly OF
. not is another question: with being Free
Soiler, and abused and villifed as such. 1t i:
I much too late in Che day to institute the pie;
of individual E'atiachn.ent''-a shallow pretenc,
: at best!! Thos. II. Benton has been denounced anC
! abussd-because his election would be consid
. cred a triumph by the aboIitioaiSts and Ere
y Soilers.n Principles we're inpolued, and that gu
opinions may have show, at least, of being sub
IT Stimulated by what, at the time, was considere,
2 good authority we clip the following from al
re article in the Courier, which the editor afirms
d ''was written by veteran Democrat, who ha
Id grown grey in the knowledge and support of Dem
y oeratic principles" r,-g
4 ''The Senator of thirty years was near on
is third of that time Clay Wing, and one to,gt
D. of tie balance Pan Boren Free Soiler. He op
- posed his party on the annexation of Texas. H
denounced as a, cabal the convention that nomi
+ mated James X. Polk. He opposed the Mexca
o War. Years ago, he joined Nth the Free SoiIe,
in and uoted Nth he 46Clitonists, and nop Srives
We carry off Missouri Nth him"
m o These are some Of the reasons that induce
IL the Democrats (Which appelation, one branch {
n the party claimed exclusively to ''repudiate
is. their great statesman. The editor cannot deny
d, even could he consentto place his party in S
er unenvlable position--that principles were il
va lvolved in Mr. Benton's defeat. But as our neigl
mt Dor has endorsed the letter referred TO-, By sdyn
Id as author "has grou1a grey an The knotcledge an
Isl support Of Democratic principles, we give hi
w the benefit of few more articles,-thus, wit
ay reference to 'fhe ranks of the Democracy Cant
na Benton wing) it says, 'they hare necer proved
n creaiH TO their principles. Whence, the und
niable inference, that the opposing wing of Il
ed party Tor Bentonites) hare ''proved rccreant
an their principles" and farther-''Upon the gre
h questions springing out Of the institution
. slavery. they are in strict union with the Dem
b. cratic party, and standing on the Democratic plo
Ii form, ~ G
is "But where Is Benton and his f-iendsl A
he they not on the Free Soil platform, and engage
cir in contest 10 transfer our State TO the Free So
Ice erS-to the traitor, Martha VaH Bureau"
to times, 0 customs "No principles involved
lis The Courier says-''We shall unhesitating
i'm give our sanction 10 any plan that may in futu
lis appear preferable, or that shall seem to be Il
Of choice Of majority" But we are somewh
ion disposed to question neighbours loyalty, fc
lb- notwithstanding he attempts to show that not
or, ing more significant than ''individual attac
nentp was the cause Of The disunion-nothil
=, more than mere ,ehim--he, at the same tim
declares, that-"That portion of the Democrat
= party, who opposed the appeal Of Col. Bento
Ia can never under any circumstances, sanction az
act giving him the remotest countewnce.'
sarely our neiglbor is growing over scrupulol
in ''these latter days." When rather than wi
Il. at within, he win weaken the efforts for R
tn, Unionl ..a ...r
he --------