The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-04
What Is the Democratic Party Z

jcians to maintain that the old political parties of this
country extngushed or Rave become obsolete, and
that no practical difference now exists between the fed
sra and democratic parties These the good. naiuIed
gentlemen who would yield essential point rather than
contest it. Many of them feel most philosopbic indf
ference between the great national parties, and
no, straw which prevails. These gentlemen generally
went of under the nopary banner OF General Taylor,
and thought when he elected the halcyon days of
"e,erna sunshine had a, length dawne upon the earth
They were soon undeceived The administration OF that
old hero and its adjunct under Mr.. Fillmore have been
among the most rigid INSCRIPTIONS and proscrptive that
ever controlled the dcsnies of this country All the ante
election promises Of General Taylor were forgotten or
shaneessy violated, and the democrats who aided in his
election have been treated alien inteopers who have
mugsled themselves into the wing camp to steal the
Offices They have been secuted and spurned with con
tempt and the whom they elevated 10 power have in
soleny spa upon them in the face OF the country What
lesson does this teach Il shows that the bitter and
unmsaed pfeudices OF the wings federaliss are as
keen and active they in the days Of the elder
Adams or of the Essex Jun,o It is idle to doub, their
disposition. The democrat who joins their ranks is The
servant OF servants. and is regarded with all the eal
gives deserlers toreaste OF their fate. The wings
will profit by the treason but they .despse the traitor
And yet they the good simple starlings OF de-
nocracy that there is no longer any such distinction
Is tina, OF whig and democrat They tell us the
National Bank is an obsolete idea-high tariffs, in
nmal improvements, and all these general questions
public policy, have been decided and closed and ought
not be again disturbed With these issues they tell
that all practical differences between the parties dsap
sared. and that now we all republicans all feder
,sts"-one and the AT the time they resusci
tate the questions of the tariff OF internal improvements
,nd in fact, everything but the National Bank. The lat
e they wisely leave in its grave for il canno, berevycd
JUS, now by any process, either gavanc or otherwise
Ii will overchem any party mad enough TO make the
attempt Contrary TO very current Impression, we be-
.ve the line OF demacaion between the democratic and
wing, antagonist party, is as broad and wellaefned as
il was in the days of Jefferson. The tariff and a,erna
Improvements, the river and harbor bill aess are
still to be finally settled, or rather to be efeciuay kept
rsst the basis upon which they are now adjusted
The currency must be held up the constitutional stand
ai is at present. and yet before two years we sus-
ect efforts viii be made 10 tinker and debase IT, The
question Of questions is, however, that of interfering
with slavery IN the States. This depends on the con-
Mucton Of the federal constitution which the demo
uadc party has ever given to that instrument Should
that construction be faithfully adhered to- this rock may
Sescaped and the Union be preserved Blu, the loose no
hons Of federal statesmen afford no guarantee at ALL and
will Justify by example any course the whig party
chooses to pursue this vital foucsone OF the federal
Union We verify believe the rsrIetniy of this govern
nenl depends on the ascendency Of the democratic party
That party has been the true guardian Of the cons
aloh 1t watches the ark OF political liberty it is
indeed the only sentinel in whom confidence ought 10 be
rposed The great and essential distinction between the
wing and democratic parties consists chiefly in this that
ne whig party is mere accidental conglomeraon OF
ambitious, Inscriptions aspirans for wealth and honors
While the democratic party is made up OF the ioiling
''sophislicaed mass OF the people, who nothing
% ONCE, and ask only TO enjoy the fruits of their labor
peace, and 10 be free from imposition and oppe ssion
hs history OF the parties clearly proves this to be
ne real difference between them The great object Of the
aera party in early times was to create banks tariffs
snem's OF internal Improvements and other devices
"Aeh IN reality increased the patronage and power OF the
sInmsnt and made those who dispensed them able 10
'a around them sort Of privileged class Of iavores
ND recipients Of The public bounty who could live and
pow rich a, the public expense They re,oced in IN.
rogan, assumption OF "all the talents and all The de.
ncy OF the nation, and Of course Eel, themselves en-
lied TO all the Offices and emoIumens Their "sedition
avs were crafhly designed to suppress all popular
amor and 10 secure them the possession of power and
honor IN peace They always had their ewes turned long,
Wy towards the a,istocratc institutions of Europe.
~ never ceased 10 believe tha, our government, was
we experiment that would fail unless brought near
e'e ianced models OF perfection. In more recent times
Wing party has been influenced by some distinguish
a'cessons from the democrats, and has in certain
as become, II not more LIBERAL certainly more prudent
Aasver they secretly believe and hope, they do no,
'aV avow their preferences for foreign institutions
may see occasionally some aping admrer OF The
Ns and garters" OF Great Britain sporting t.oa
s upon his servants. or regrelling that we dine TOO
wy OF seeking family alliances with the younger sons
daughters of nobli,y--ihose poor Esaus by birth
va Nus preserving sort Of back door familiarity with
gentle blood" Of foreign nations Bat these are
wan and the weak, and excite by their conduct no
sf Telling than that OF ptful contempt. The leaders
wing party at least, pay much respect TO the
pem to pretend 10 be solicous 10 advance their wei
se They have initiated the models OF the democrats in
hp party machinery, and have sought as lar possible
Oon'erae all recoectons Of the early sins and mis-.
w OF their political progenilors. They affect 10
:" respectfully of Mr. Jefferson and Mr.. Madison,
" vii allow that General Jackson was no, the worst