The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-08
The Democratic Harnonies.

L
candidate. From the recent speech Of Mr..
BREcKENRIDGE, of Kentucky, delivered in the
House of Representatives, we extract portion
which bears upon the course Of the Democratic
Reriec, and of the gentlemen who are sup.
posed to control that leading and able organ of
the party. 1t will be seen that Mr.. BREcK-
ENRIDGE repudiates the ideas Of the Rcpie,c in
regard to ''young blood,' and is disposed to
stand by the tried and standard men of the
democracy" We anticipate no little amuse-
ment from the further developments in this
case. The able and active friends of Judge
DOUGLAS referred to by Mr. BREcKENRIDGE,
will no doubt claim to be heard, and possibly
| the political loaters on the streets" may have
word to say in this regard By the way,
who are the individuals classified under this
denomination If the political loaiers on the
streets" are to be read out Of the party, we APP
prehend that General BUTLER will have per-
mission to cultivate the character of ''gentle-
man" in that parlor retirement for which the
Democratic Reriew considers him SO eminently
qualified. We annex the paragraphs of Mr..
BREcKENRIDGE's speech to which we have
above alluded
Mr.. Chairman, have been defending this gen.
| tleman against Wing attack. 1t now becomes
my disagreeabe duty to notice proceeding
from Democratic source-y that can be called
Democratic source tchich traducS all the best and
most h0nored names IN the party. IL is well now
to talk plainly-and it 10 as we'll to have these
things understood in the beginning; arc all in
trouble-Whigs and Democrats There is no
doubt about it; and why not say soS Laughter
But the way for the Democrats TO get out OF
trouble is not for part TO fight out, by attempt
ing TO mount up the PROSTATE bodies OF all the
best men in the party. Now. sir, my apology for
noticing this attack is to be found in the charac-
ter heretofore sustained by the periodical which
contains it, and in some other circumstances that
make the whole affair quite an in American
politics. The Democratic fevistc has been here
tofore not a partisan paper, but a periodical that
was supposed to represent the whole Democratic
party. and to discuss general principles of finance
and of government IN the sense of the Demo-
cratic party. i have observed recently a very
great change. The January number of the Dem
0crdfrc RsViets contains an article, which has
been very extensively circulated over this coun-
try, the substance of which is, that no man who
has been LONG distinguished either for his
vices or character, is fit TO be President that all
who we're born away back towards the period Of
the American Revolution light be very good men
for that day, bu; that their principles belong
old era, and that they statesmen of past gene
ration; their principles denounced in the cant
language OF the day, us 'od fogyism," and them
selves as cold iogies;' and the public is assured
that their age their experience, and the fatality Of
their birth, make them wholly incompetent to
fathom the ideas control the policy Of this gene
ration The article annouucesn new generation of
American statcsmen-men not trammelled by "the
ideas OF an anterior era"-mcn who "will bring
not only young blood" but "young IDEAS" to
the councils OF the Republic. Now, sir, am in
favor OF progress. like young blood and like
young ideas, too, Eats certain time OF fe bot do
not like this course. This article, sir has been very
generally considered as an attack upon almost
every man in the Democratic parry whose name
has been mentioned in connexion with the Pres-
dency. This attack wac followed up. in the Feb
ruary number of the Democratic Rspisto, by re-
dceming pledge contained in the preceding mum
ber that the editors would descend from genera-
ties to particulars that having swept the whole off
in mass, they would take of their heads sertoftn,
and they accordingly began with General Butler,
OF Kentucky The February number OF the ReuisW
contains grossly personal and abusive article
dguina General Butler by name, and against ue
rest Of The candidates coverHy-and even impeaches
General Butler's Democracy, though he was en-
dorsed by the whole party in lSl5 and has been
consistent Democrat since, before the conductors of
the Rerieio we're born. will not descend 10 the de-
tails OF that article and answer thom sudhm. 10 is
full Of groIs nisrepre,entations ! do not now ap-
pear specially on behalf Of any one of the distin-
guished members OF the Democratic party, but
say that the party should be warned that influ-
cnce has sprung up in their midst under the ope-
ration of which periodical, supposed 10 represent
the interests of the whole party, has been convert
cd into mere partisan sheet, and, under its pre-
sent CONDUCTOR s attempting 10 promote particular
interests by raducing the most honorea nares in
our party. make this statement that the party
may understand how much confidence il TO be
placed in that Rsuie,c.
Let me say a word now upon this question of
progress. profess TO be n friend Of rational pro-
gress, but want no wild and visionary progress
that would sweep away all the immortal principles
of our forciathers-hunt uD imaginary genius
place him q policy, gaze him Young line
Ticn for Jnicturn, aud let him Turn The ,1orld up
side dotcn That ID not the progress : want. /
want to progress in the line Of the principles OF
fathers; want steady and rational advance
not beyond the limits OF the Federal Constitution
but am afraid that such progress is talked
| about would carry Va clear away from that sacred
! instrUmcnt. | want 20 progress by ameliorating
the condition OF the people by fair. just and equal
| laws, and by simplicity, irugahty, and justice
marking the operations Of the Federal Govern.
ment. Above all. hope 10 zee the Democratic
| party adhere with immovablc fidelity TO the an
| Gent and distinguishing landmarks OF its policy
These are my opinions on progress, and think
| the sooner We canvass, and winnow, sRd aft awas
| opposite opinions the better.
Mr.. Chairman, am here TO make no charges;
| ! am here to make no ASSAULT; but am here 20
say, in spirit Of friendship and warning in
behalf Of a, B, or e., but in behalf of nineteen.
| twentieths Of the Democratic party-to those who
make these assaults, Gentlemen, this thing must
stop
Now, let me give brief history of this matter.
There was gentleman, able, full Of talent full Of
activity, n particular partisan and fricnd--as he
| bad right 10 be-of a particular gentleman mcn.
| toned in connexion with the Presidency; that
| gentleman went 10 the State Of Kentucky upon n
political pilgrimage last fall the object Of which
| was, ! supposc, to drive General Butler from HE
own soil-to cishonor him at home-by fastening
upon him corrupt political intrigue; bot meeting
| there the same fate bcic those who went to
drive the McGrcgor from his native heath, he came
back and bought ~ the Dcnocrahc Reoico for a
| political pnrusan paper for the campaign, and
| with no names at the mast head, that Rfuie,o is
now pursuing course AZ Jafdi TO the Democratic
party as IL Is false and unfair.
| Mr. Chairman, every man, whether he be n
Whig or Democrat, has n right 10 be a candidate
for every ofiicc-that being Of the elements OF
freedom in this country-and no man ought To be
blamed for the misconduct Of his friende unless he
conuives at it, The individuals assdiied ~ his
paper, either coperty BY name, are Cas-. BIZ.
| chandn, Butter, U0,tsfouin fact, all the cGndi
dafe, ercopf the d,stngtG,hsd Senator from Illinois,
(Nr. Dougios) ,oho 10 be particular 0Uorifc
| Mr.. RicHARbsoS, (ntcrruptng) ! wish 10 say,
in connection with the remarks which have been
made by the gentleman from kentucky, that, 20