The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-06
The Twin Sisters-DemOcracy and Free
sOillsm.


The last mail from the North has put us in
possession of details of the proceedings of the
twin conventions of the Democratic and Free
soil parties in Middlesex county, Massachu-
sets, which resulted-as the reader is probably
aware--n the formation Of an alliance sworn
to wage war on the Wings and the Fugitive
Slave law.
The Free-soil Convention, at a very early
stage, appointed committee to nominate Sena-
| toria candidates, and 'confer with such com
! mittee as may be appointed by the Democratic
Convention" The vote had scarcely passed
when representative Of the latter body APP
peared to announce that Democratic com
mittee had been chosen, to make or receive
overtures, as occasion might require. 1.-The
announcement" says one report, ''was marked
by loud applause" Without attempting to
chronicle every step on either side, we
may state that the said committees met in
sweet communion, and succeeded in concoct-
ing 4 list of Senatorial candidates, three of
whom are Free sellers, and three full booded
Democrats and that this list was unanimously
ratified by both conventions. The coalition
ticket then stands thus: Free soiIers-H Viii
son, of Natick; A. Burlingame, of Cambridge
S. f. Sewal, of Stoneham. Democrats-C.
G.. Hazewell, of Concord; j. A. Beard, of
Lowell J. Fuller, of birmingham.
Into all the talk that took place, and resolu-
tons that were adopted on the interesting &C
casion, we cannot pretend to enter. We can
only run over the field and Gull its flowers
Beginning at the beginning, we have the fol-
lowing as the Lowell Journals report of the
speech Of Mr.. BEARD, on taking his seat as
president Of the Democratic Convention
81 thank you for the honor you have shown me
in eecting me to this office. You know am no
o6ice-seeker. You know what an uncompromisinR
Democrat am--that never have and never will
give up one particle of my principles. But this
year am for a union of party with the Free
soers-not, however, to admit them on to plat
form with equals, but to have them help
US carry out our principles, If they mind to
be tools, will usc them"
The Journal remarks that this is ga funny
speech''-funny enough, in all conscience, but
quite characteristic rendered doubly amusing
by the fact that within one year Mr.. BEARD
has been a candidate for no less than twelve
separate offices.
Then we have the following resolution, set
ting forth the approved Democratic notions on
the philosophy and morality Of coalitions,
brought about by the sacrifice of principle 10
advance party ends:
''Resoiped, That principles and can
be carried into effect only by a union Of indiydu
ais and parties who agree in relation TO those
principles and measures; and a combination,
union and concert of action by individuals and
parties, so far to carry into effect principles
and measures upon which they agree, instead of
being an act of political corruption depravity
on the part of those individuals parties unit
ing, combining and acting together, show only
that they possess the ordinary wisdom and caps-
city by which alone can be secured and main
taincd the triumph of those principles and inca
they hold in common"
The Democratic delegates were in too great
hurry to record the principles and mea-
sures" on which this union has been effected.
They thought it best to deal in generalities and
to cover their vulgar bargain with a sprinklng
OF fair phrases; and no doubt they were right.
The thing won't bear inspection, much less
handling.
But the Free-soilers are less discreet. Leav-
ing philosophy to their allies, they are not