The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-09
NBW6 BY THE MAILS
Our Washington Correspondence.
VI. curNnTos Feb 1871


tto~al Democratic Platfrm-A~ OpeH,"g in I'll
Fog--Prospects of the Campaign.
Things are getting stale. The session has bee
fiat. The proceedings of Congress prosy and dull
The debates dry and stupid; no excitement; N
Point; no pungency. After the volcanic effer
vescence OF the last session, we have not only
suspension OF hostilities, armistice, grounding
of arms; but drowsy stagnadon, dull and heav,
as the Dismal Swamp. But there Is an under
current worthy of examination.
No man knows exactly where he belongs, OF
where to 60, or what to do. The wings are ga
listed with the administration but not At all
certain of the existence of wing party, or a whg
PLATFORM or what is to be, or when or how il ia to
turn up. The democrats are sure they have a
party, scattered about somewhere; and the mpor-
tant question with them is, how it is TO be re-
united, who can do it; and what movement is first
necessary to put the ball in motion Some con-
cessiens of principle must be made, to secure tn c
Southern rights wing of the democracy, If possible;
but that is delicate operation, and requires con-
sutation, study, and the putting of the old wise
heads together with some of the leading ultras in
deliberate consultation and that, too, Is a deli
cate proceeding. But this is certain unless the
Southern ultras are conciliated, the nationality of
thing, and can effect nothing, with national can
dldaie before the people.
Therefore It is, that we disposed to credit the
hints whispered in our private ear that the demo-
cratic party in 1852 will be organized rot only upon
Union platform, but upon strong Southern ground;
and that the first step will be TO reconcile by oe.
raj concessions, the ultras of the South, and to
bring them back in this way, as backsders are re-
covered 10 the church, by the exercise of charity
and the holy oil of consolation.
Mr.. Bright has given notice of bill to amend
the fugitive slave law; that is to say, TO provide for
more elective execution OF that act, by more
stringent pains and penalties. This is TO be peace
offering TO the recasant and mutinous Southern de-
mocracy. On the other hand, Major Boriand,
who IS also doctor, has presented memorial
from Arkansas, praying Congress 10 take steps for
the peaceabe acquisition of the beautiful island of
Cuba, Including the delicious attractions of Ha-
vana, and the key of the Gulf, which is supposed
TO be locked up in the Moro Castle.
This is a straw-but il shows the drift Of the
wind. Was not Texas, and was not Oregon,a part
OF the platform of 1871 And did not Col. Polk
carry it out to the full length in the remuneration
acquisition of Utah, New Mexico, California, the
Bay Of san Francisco and the gold mines And
does any man suppose that when Gen. Scott is go.
ing to run upon the Remuneration of Can ada, that
the democrats will not have some equivalent
in the other scale. They will, as sure as Cuoa is
the queen OF the Antilles-the emeralu of the Gulf
the delight of all eyes-he desire GSall lovers of
good cigars, dsrkeyed damsels, sugar p mt ATOMS
Bound to be so. II is destiny. We must submit
10 it,
Here we have break in the fog--a glimpse of
the land-a point or two for reorganization from
which TO take our bearings. We say that there
are democrats who count upon a recognition of
their party upon new plattorm-a constitutional
State rights platform, on strong Southern ground,
for the preservation OF Southern rights, the best
means of securing the co operation and SUPPORT OF
the Southern ultIas. Mr. Brights notice is broad
hint in that direction. And mark you, the Ma
honal Democratic Convention, at Baltimore, Will
boldly recommend TO the country the policy of en-
terlng into negotiations with Spain and all con-
cened for the purchase of Cuba, and for buying il,
If II is TO be had at the cost OF the war with Next
co. Such ticket, backed up by sam Houston,
will be awful.
come to tea! The set out will be waste Of hos
piallty, une ss the guests invited come in. Doubt
Jul. South Carolina is still in her tantrums sand
may play the devil and break things" before we
can get the new arrangement under way But
suppose their gallant sons lay down their arms and
unstrap those collins from their backs, and sub
init, can't we do something Doubtful. The
recommendation of the Nashville Convention will
be very apt 10 be followed up by a Southern Sec
tional convention for the nomination OF Southern
ticket for the Presidency; and if that is done, the
regular compromise wings and submissive demo
Gratis must either unite or lose the South. Just
So Clear as the light Of day.
Before the adjournment of this Congress, we ex-
pcct there will be recommendation from the
Southern rights men, OF both houses, recommend
Ing the people OF the South 10 keep aloof from the
movements and overtures from either the whig
or democratic parties of the North; TO keep alooi,
and TO stand FIRMLY upon their reserved rights and
their reserved strength for action. the occasion
may require, IN defence OF their peculiar insttu-
tlons when the time 10 act shall come. And we
have some reason TO assume that the extremists Of
the South, in Congress, are, at present. In favor OF
a separate independent Southern State rights ticket
for the Presidency, TO be run south OF Mason and
Dixon, and with The express design OF casting the
election into the House; and for the plata reason
that the fifteen Southern States, each with one
vote, will have immensely greater relative power
IN the House than apon their congressional
strength in the electoral colleges In the latter,
Florida will have but three votes against the thirty
odd OF New York. In the House, her vote will be
exactly equal TO that OF New lork-one against
one, the representation from each State having
but one yoie.
What thenl We still count upon new national
democratic plaiform-the framework Of Southern
like oak; and If IL shall suit the South better than
the national whig rubric, there Is still prospect o.
winning the Southern States in the grand carnival
OF 1852.
In nut shell-in three words-this will do. We
arrive, then, at these conclusions respecting the
uniented, though considerably cut up, democra-
cyi-They will have a national convention; they
will promugaie a new set OF fundamental princi-
ples-s new platform, based upon State rights and
the protection Of the institution of domestic sla-
very against the aboitonsts. They will also
HdHR OUT the pdnucfs bfodu IOT dc-
QUESTION OF Cuba"-to say nothing OF the Sierra
Madre country and Lower California, where there
are said 10 be some remarkably "big chunks" Of
silver, in the mountains. We count upon a ma
lonal democratic candidate on this programme,
because, il Cass Is nomin aied without Cuba, Hous-
ton, independently, will be able TO leave HIM out Of
sight in the South
The democratic card, then, Is;-A National Caa-
didate- Reuenchment and Reform-State Rights
Cube, and so forth.
Now for the wings.
The administration IL satisfactory 20 the wing
party-eminenty 80; but II is not considered the
head OF the party-t Ia not generally contemplated
to give Il the succession. Hence. while the wings
take an honest pride 10 their executive, they are
Indifferent TO pushing forward his surcs in Con-
rress. They are divided upon men; there are
veral favorites among them for lSj2 aud accord.
ingly, while the President has the confidence and
respect at the wing party they are not disposed TO
advance his system Of measures as heartily as II
he were thes admitted leader Of their party, and
their champion for the succe ssion, The democrats
not having the responsibility Of the administration,
If md Therefare the in