The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-31
The Consistency Of tho Democratic Party.

In many portions of the North, and in some of the
South Also efforts have been made 10 create the impress
sion that the Compromise, and particularly the fugitive
slave feature of il, contained something which was at
war with the true principles OF democracy; and is 10
the partial success of these efforts that we are 10
scribe the mpedments which have been offered to the
reunion of the members OF this party. But this error
only awaited examination to fall by the weight of its
condemnation. Tested by facts and principles which
could not be refuted compared with the sentiments and
views which have pervaded and controlled the action of
the party since the days of Jefferson and measured
by the spontaneous Of the people, from HON
at last springs the corrective Of mistaken dangerous
legislation the compromise stand acquitted OF all
suspicion as menacng weakening in the slightest de.
gree the old and time honored doctrines of the demo-
cratic party How could ii be otherwise when the great
feature Of those from the hands Of
fanatcism and sectional passion the power to defeat
plain provision Of the constitution The right of the
master the undsturbed possession Of his slave, and
the duty OF both the federal and State governments to
protect this right is compact of the constitution, and
10 a. inviolable any other contained in it, Ii would
be strange, then. if the party which has always made it
its boast that adhered 10 the literal construction of the
constitution. rejecting the doctrine of implied powers.
could be driven from its propriety by which
was Lothing more less than the fuflinent OF one
OF the plsnest provisions of the compact, il would
be unaccounabe, indeed. il the party OF Jefferson.
Madison, and Jackson, could revolt at it's own
action for fifty years, and raise the cry Of alarm
because Congress had passed bill to carry out effect
ually that injunction OF the constitution which de-
eea that the fugitive from labor shall be restored to the
owner But what is still extraordinary is the sup
position in some quarters that that was aban
donmen Of the old Staterghu doctrines OF the party,
and would give to the federals,s scope for the at
tainment OF their cherished wish OF consolidation
Time, however-which trust will never in our free
country enable msconcep,ion and prejudice to outrun
tn. light Of truth and ustce-alrcady behods the true
democracy Of the land dsspatnG the mistakes Of those
Of is leaders who would have assigned the federal
and wing parties the merit OF indicating democratic
principle 1t is now obvious that this old democracy. no
longer deceived by the short sighted views OF few In
divduals, is organizing its forces around the Constiiu
tion and the Union, and that is already in condition
to say the various factions which have brough, the
country 10 The precpice OF danger. that their vocation
must Are there those who say that the nsltu-
ton Of slavery evil to be removed, notwithstanding
the guarantee created for it by the constitution Democ-
racy such that the highest duty of the Amer
freeman is to ful6 his constitutional duty, and no,
esp,ss upon his brothers. rights Are there those who
aege that the spir, OF fana,csm has already weakened
the rights Of the South Democracy that the pa
olsn OF the country strong enough to apply the rem
sdy by the peaceful agency Of the laws Are there some
eontendng that the injuries already inflicted justify
sion revolution Democracy replies, No; this is
sort which not become practical long there is
certainty there is that these injuries reactng
upon their su,hors and creating that the
federa government can again be made to subserve
the designs Of sectional prejudice
Throughout, the crisis in which we are passing il can.
not be denied that great for excitement and alarm
has existed in the South But in proportion TO the ex
ten, OF this will be the merit OF tina, orbearanoe
which has avoided any step OF direc, hostility to the
peaceful operation OF the laws In proportion to the q.
tent of the provocaon has been the exercise OF tha
maspanimity which refuses to strike long the wa,
Of reconciliation and Justice il kept open-a magnanim
ity worthy of the land Of Washington, Jefferson,
Jackson and guarantees against future danger, of ia
more value than any which could have been obtained b.
those counsels which advised resort to extra cons,itu
honal redress
Under such circumstances, we look to the future with
rance given by the true democracy OF the land that th'
fugitive slave law will be maintained and erecu,ed-ar
witch not only needed in respect TO Thu
particular measure, but to guard against all those mis-
chievoua doctrines which have been undsrmin;oo IN,