The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-14
CITY OF WASHINGTON.


view OF these elections 1t reduces the majority In favor
OF Gen Fooie TO very small one and leaves infer
that the other State and legislative tickets will pre-
sent such decisive msjores were called forth on the
issues involved in the election OF the members OF the
venon. This change in The tone OF the public opinion
the State ID doubtless attributable in degree to the
Chrsana and Syracuse ourages but mainly to the belief
that the new position OF Gen. Davis, the competitor OF
Gen. Foote involved no dangerous projects Of resistance
TO the constituted authorities of the land Under such
circumstances the declaration OF Gen Davis that he
guessed in the decision OF the people, far the Com
promise concerned and that he would hereafter
with the democratic party, calculated TO restore to
him much OF that confidence which his previous views had
lost him. 1t is these that ascribe the great
falling of in the which has been given 10 General
Fooe, and to the party in that Slate with which he be-
came identified the chief advocate OF the Compromise,
and the champion who defeated the schemes TO break up
our Union and establish southern confederacy.
In every point Of view that whole con,es, has been
most remarkable. In the history of elections know
Of none in which single individual has had TO contend
against such formidable opposition that which has
been arraysd against Gen. Foote powerful influence
out OF the State and in quarters from distinguished
men who pretended TO sustain the Compromise, was
brought act in conjunction with that which had been
previously committed TO the extreme doctrines OF the
Nashville convention. Added 10 this, the prejudces
Of party spirit. though generally acting apart, were
made TO concur this occasion in increasing the
obstacles to the success Of individual who APP
pealed alone to the patriotism Of the people in vind
eating the constitution. A triumph under such crcum.
stances is indeed trumphone which rarely in
the history Of parties, and will long be remembered to
Tho nf m If and ha
patriot who had the courage rely upon them amidst diff
cules which would have ovcIpowered ordinary men.
Such triumph commands the respect and sympathy
which due TO the preservation Of vital republican
principle, and will be honored throughout our happy
Union.
In another point Of view, the conduct OF Gen Fooe
exhibits fidelity TO principle which will connect his
name with the mos, conspicuous displays Of genuine
public virtue. In the most critical period OF his can.
his enemies sought withdraw from him the sup
port Of both the regularly organized parties of the State
by alleging that he a member Of neither Of them,
and would betray both OF them. 1t was thought that
such charge, if honestly answered. would expose him
to the Indifference which usually awaits those who are
not ardenty claimed by either OF the parties which
are supposed to hold in their hands The fate of candidates
for public favor He superior TO all such tempa-
previously entertained party man. He was moi
afraid to say that he had been, and was still. democrat
but that he opposed the heresy which sought 10 make
democracy the shield for movements which would de-
stroy our Constitution and Union He was moi afraid tc
say that be democrat in the that Jack
son was when he put down notification in 1882. Defy
ing thus his enemies, and relying alone the patriotism
and virtue of the people, his victory is no, less
- al
temptations than II is Of the safety with which public
men may anticipate an enduring popular support when
their motives pure and their actions are in accord
with the hes, interests of their country.
| We render this tribute OF applause 10 General
Fooe, not that underra,e the high character of hi,
opponent. tina, would in,erap, the progress Of
that public sentiment in the South which would throw
the veil OF oblivion the errors OF those who, in
nomen, Of high excitement. would have produced con
nct between the State and federal authorities
of the measures adjusting the slavery question. We
| trus, that that sentiment will 90 until the people OF
the South ready TO act unit in defence OF the
laws, and that parties even now ready in that
portion of our Union 10 assume that heahiul and
useful position which belonged 10 them organ
lied in our earlier history Within the sphere of the
measures proposed for the public good within the
sphere oil the constitution, whose preservation IN all
its force and purity is the highest duty OF the pa
triot-parlies are Indispensable and, however named,
they mus, have the place which they have acquired in
our past experience. Without parties the vigilance
which is the price of liberty would slumber and cor
ruptions in the spirit of institutions would 20 on
until innovations in their form would assmilae them to
those Of monarchy and desposn.
The results OF the Mississippi elections put an end to
the hopes Of those who seeking to form permanent
third party They tell us that while there tangible
purpose OF resistance TO the laws, the people rallied with
great unanmi'y against those who entertained such
purpose but the such Imminent, danger is with
drawn these people seek TO manifest their political
thought through that OF parties TO which they
have been accustomed The same fac, would have been
shown in Georgia. il the circumstances had existed
there. Had Mcdonald re,reated Davis did, and ahan.
doned the untenabe ground he occupied the president of
the Nashville convention and declared his determination
to acquesce in the Compromise honorable proof OF
devotion to the Union. he would not have found the i'm
majority of eighteen thousand OF his fellow -citi-
arrayed against him for can pretend to say
that such majority would have been brought 10 con.
denim any real principle Of democracy. That majority
does sustain the noble Cobb as the representative
OF doctrine opposed to that which makes him dem
ocra II is, on the contrary, tribute TO that senti-
men which holds the interests of our whole country as
higher than those of the partisan, and which does no,
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