The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-29
MOVEMENTS IN TIE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

l.
The Democratic members of Congress. in
their caucus last December did what the
Wings have just done-refused to affirm the
hnalry Of the Compromise rs an opposite
course might have given Their opponents the
control Of the organization Of the House Since
then, General Butler. who was the hone of the
liberal Democrats Of the North, because sup
posed to be unlrendiy to the incorporation of
new ta't~ IN the Party creed has placed himself
on the same ground with Cass, Buchanan. and
Douglas Without a leader. the liberal De-
mocracy has lost strength and meantime. the
State Rights Democrats have gradually been
approXImating to the Compromise platform
Inc result has been the adoption in the House
OF Jackfons resolution affirming the finality of
the Compromise, thirty-six Democrats from the
North voting aye, twenty-onc, no, twenty-five
beng absent. This vote increases the probability
OF the passage Of Compromise resolutions by the
National Democratic Convention, though it
does not fix the question beyond doubt
The Southern men are quite unanimous for
this policy the Northern Democrats, as usual
are divided Some of them, ON principle. are
hostile to the Compromise and Fugitive Law
some, from motives Of policy, would prefer tC
exclude them ms ISSUES from the next Presidon
tial canvass; some Ike the National Wing,
having identified their political standing will
them, demand from the National Conyentio,
an explicit recognition of them
The late action of the Wing caucus will en-
force the couuscls of those who deprecate tn
introduction Of new articles of faith in tn
Baltimore platform. 1t will be urged wit
great force, that the iiaality test if forced upo
the Party by the Baltimore Democratic Con
vention, will probably give all the free State
to General Scott, except Iowa Illinois, and Ca
ifornia. Most certainly it would ALLEVIATE Ne,
York and Ohio. This view of probabilitc
may lead the Convention to follow the exampl
of the Virg mia Democracy, in avoiding all rel
erence to the Compromise And this might b
done without much dctriment to the Party il
the South rs the article relating to Slavery, il
the established creed of the Party, which will o
course be re-aliirned, has always been consid
cred satisfactory by the Slave Power
But, should the attempt to introduce new
tests be waived, the Southern delegates vii
demand security in the character of the candi
dates who shall be selected What are resolu
tons and platforms and tests, so long as tn,
chosen standard bearer of a Party embodes il
himself the mind and will of its ruling element
So far az the interests of Slavery are concerned
the Democratic Party under the lead of Cass
Buchanan, or Douglas, would need no platform
at all. Shareholders and Anti-Slayery mel
would know precisely its position, The simple
fact that D5uglas, Buchanan, or Cass was the
regularly nominated candidate of the Party
for the Presidency, would put its policy and
purposes beyond doubt Mr. Gwin in the Sen
ate, and MIR Polk in the House. speaking au-
thoritatiyely have pledged them all, not only
to the support Of the Compromise measures,