The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-09

progress, the demand OF the republican and democratic
party has been, advance while the cry OF the federal
and wing party has BEEN backward, and onward
Ay at every step, and step by STEP the democratic party
has carried the country forward and dragged the federal
party along hanging al the wheels OF progress, and
tarding IN every possible orm the march OF the country
onward in the mission OF her high destiny.
From the first day that the first State formed out
OF territory asked to be admitted into this Union-I
mean Tennessee, in l796lhe federal party began-and
has ever since continued, down TO the annexation OF
Texas and Califona-the camor OF no more territory
and States the United States as il isl"
And but Tor the far-seeing policy OF democratic admin
isatons and the democratic people who made them, the
United States II left IN the hands OF the federal party
would have been she Daswi,h the thirteen original
Atlantic States and few appenddges, created into States
within their Immediate territories. And what then,
would this Union have been this first day OF the year
1882 feeble republic. with no national character
abroad, and at home surrounded by other petty republics
or yceroyates, or small colonies jealous of us and of
each other, and exhibiting 10 the world conflict of
feeble powers, TO be played oil against each other by Eu-
ropean diplomacy.
Is there single historical fact in this estimate
Who annexed Louisiana in 1902 against the deadest
hostility OF the federal pariy Jefferson, backed by the
republican party. Who reclaimed Florida from Spain,
against the same oppositonl The democratic party.
Who recognised the Independence of Texas at the first
moment, without waiting TO il Mexico, by the aid OF
some foreign Intervention, could not conquer her back
again Andrew Jackson. And who brought her into
this Union the first Independent State united to out of
independent contiguous territory democratic Con-
gress and democratic people. And need speak fur;
Thereof Oregon and California, the of 1912, and
the Mexican war; and all this country is and 10 be, if
we are but true TO ourselves
All this has been the fruit of democratic policy and
democratic administrations and the great secret OF all
this extension has been the simple principle to which the
democratic party have adhered OF intervention in the
domestic concerns of each State, and the admission of
every State, with all the rights of the original States
And In this way, and this way only the democratic par
" has gone on, from infancy to manhood, still extend
ing the Union, and still making the Union stronger; and
therefore il is right TO say that the democratic party.
which, in spite OF wing opposition has made this Union
as i is, is the party OF the Union sustain The Union
And fprth h,., ,lntth a
racy is the party 10 whom ghtfully belongs because
they are the great majority the administration Of the
government OF this Union, and from whose hands it has
never departed temporarily but with injury TO the coun
Try, and backward cast in her great destiny.
Why, gentlemen, what spectacle is there to-day at
the seat Of The party commonly as
President and his Cabinet and their officials; and yet
look abroad and what see we' 0fthrty governors
England yields them but a solitary chief magistrate,
vermont OF State legislatures they can scarcely claim
majores in both branches of fue while in Congress,
which is 10 make the laws, they in minortes in both
houses wholly unprecedented!
What party, them is this to hold the general govern
ment at all And what party is It TO go before the
people OF the United States and ask them for eXeR
sion OF power another four years No, gentlemen, the
weakness OF our opponents such that the only fear
we may have too much confidence in our strength and
falout by the way This gave the opposition the admin
istration in 1S4S. The democratic party commit
such suicidal mistake in 1852. And it is the wise
deliberations of that National Convention have to-day
recommended that the country now looks with conf
dence for the restoration OF her natural guardians and ad
ministrators and TO insure this need only mutual
confidence IN each otherthe mutual confidence OF the
South and the North.
Why, when look back 10 the hundred battles
achieved by the united democracy of the North and
South who shall dare now TO nierpose dscord sever
this ancient bond OF ra,erny2 What on the one hand,
- mere abstraction OF night OF secession which may
by possibility be exercised in unknown emergency
but which nobody thinks OF putting in force now Or
what, the darker side OF the picture, this perncious
spirit of intermeddng in the domestic OF the
States and Iepudaing the compromises Of the constu-
elements South or North, that they should now, when
this disturbing question is finally settled, if will but
say So become again an instrument OF discord in the
democratic party, and the harmony OF national
convention Let resolve here, and let the democracy
resolve everywhere. that this fell spirit of slave agitation
shall be exercised from the halls of Congress and from
deberatve assemblies and that he who agaies the
repeal OF the compromises shall be regarded the COM
mon enemy Of the democracy and OF the Union.
And here allow me 10 say, northern democrat, Uor
we are in danger OF grave msappIehension from the
merest misapprehenson OF erms) that at the North, by
acquescence in the compromises, understand but one
practical thing which remains TO be done, and that
faithful execution of and acquescence in the fugi
tive law final adjustment OF slave agitation IN Con-
gress. And here we ask our brethren of all sections 10
make their mark with us, and, leaving out OF the ones
ton the old issues already passed into nal laws which
Congress has no power 10 change. bring the whole dem
ocratc party TO the now only pressing practical point OF
acQuescence in the compromises which remain to be
forced and for the faithful execution OF which, IN the
spirit OF union and the constitution portion OF the
Union must rely upon the good 1alth oil Inc oner Ana
am that can say TO my friend from North Caro-
lima, lMr. STRAscE,l in fraernal spirit that know
would be responded TO by the democracy Of the North,
that we pledge TO democratic brethren OF the
South good faith, If they will pledge TO cordial and
cooperating conidence-if they will not hold back in
acquiescence in the compromises, and will rightly dis
crninaie between the fanacal agitaors OF the North
who may call themselves democrats, and he sound de-
mocracy OF the North, who regard this spirit OF section
alsm in all its forms dsunion.
II there is settled purpose al this lime pervading the
of the North II is in my judgment, firm reso-
luton TO put end TO slave agitation and dsunion in
Congress and 20 discard from all democratic organiza-
lions this element OF discord and sectonalism The
North is weary of IT, and pray the South not to give
seeming countenance 10 lis revival by confoundlng ac
quescence in the compromises with any supposed sacr.
fee OF State rights.
Gentlemen, these mere suggestions which, II they
worth anything, you, in your wisdom and eoquence,
enforce and by community OF feeling throughout
Congress and the country, bring bear upon the great
question now before OF the restoration of the demo
cratic party TO its natural and true position at the head
of the administration of afaiTs, through the instrument
tally OF the national principles and the national candi
dates which the Baltimore Convention will submit TO the
people.
Thanking you for your kind attention, most re.
spectfuly take my leave, and declare this meeting OF
the Democratic National Committee adjourned without
day.