Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-28
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.

The New or Herald OF tuesday contains the
letter lately addressed by Mr.. Robert G. Scott,
of this city, to the various Democratic candidates
for the Presidency. This letter is in the form of
circular, literal copy of which, it seems,
sent to every individual whose name had been
mentioned in connection with the Democratic
nomination. The following passage occurs in
Mr.. SCOTS epstle:
Marked as has been your past political life by
fearless rankness and devotion to the great principles
of the Democratic party take leave to enquire of you
&c.
This language, it should be borne in mind, is
addressed to Mr.. Buchanan, Gen. Cass, Mr..
Douglas, Commodore Stockton, Mr.. Dallas, and
some dozen others The past political life of
each aud all of these aspirants has been marked,
according to Mr.. Scott by fearless, frankness
and devotion to the great principles Of the Dem
oeratie party Now it is notorious historical
fact that Mr.. Buchanan was, in former years, an
avowed and bitter Federalist. The best portion
of his life was devoted not to the sgreat princi-
pies of the Democratic party" but to the cause
of Federalism. He was violent opponent of the
war of 1912, and denounced the republican adj
ministration of Mr.. Madison in the strongest
language. In 1919 he was Missouri Restriction
list, and in 1913 he signed circular to the Federal
voters of Pennsylvania, commencing ''As Fede-
raIists ace address you.'' But notwithstanding
all this. Mr.. Buchanan is now complimented by
the regularly constituted organ of the Virginia
Democracy, en- the devotion to Democratic prin-
ciples that has characterized his past career -
Again: IF calledon to specify the great principles
of the Democratic party to which he audes, Mr..
Scott would of course designate free-trade or OPP
position to protective tariff, of them
Does Mr. Buchanan's past political life attest his
devotion to this Democratic principle? The re-
cords of the country answer the question in the
negative. They will show that this consistent
and devoted Democrat voted for the ssFederal
Wing Tariff of 1912, and we believe, also, for
the tariffs of 1924 and 1928. The Democracy
of this State denounee the protective system in
cessanty the quintessence of Federalism and
yet here is man who has been upholding that
system all his life, in whose past history they can
nothing but the most satisfactory proof of his
devotion to Democratic principles.
Commodore Stockton too, although less than a
month ago, he declared himself on the floor of the
Senate in favor of the protective policy, is com
pllmented on his devotion to Democratic princi- |
Piles.
George NJ. Dallas who in times past stood forth |
as the stalwart champion not only of the Tariff |
but of the United States Bank comes in for his
share of Mr.. SCOTS comprehensive and indiscri- |
inmate eulogy. His support of the above named !
measures furnish, we presume, the evidence of
has past devotion to Democratic principles.
We pass over the compliment to the 50 fearless
ffankneSS" of Gen. Cass, which we take to be |
roncal, addressed it is by of the architects
of the old Virginia platform to the author of the
Nicholson letter.
One of the cardinal principles of the Democra-
cy, as laid down by Mr. Scott and his party, in
their late Convention in this State was, that Con-
gress has ght to grant the public lands to pur
poses OF Internal Improvement. Now Mr.. Doug
las claims, and claims justly, the paternity of
this system 1t is mainly due to his exertions
that the principle announced by the Virginia
Democracy has been violated and trampled I'M
der foot in the legislation of Congress, and yet Mr.
Scott says to Mr. Douglas your past political
life has been marked BY fearless devotion to the
great principles of the Democratic party.
We might extend these remarks to much great
er length, but We fofbear to do So The facts to
which we have adyerted may serve to illustrate
in some degree few Of the manifold beauties of
Locofoco consistency.
The Presbyterian New SCHOOL, General Assembly now
sitting in Washington, D. c. have adopted resolution,
declaring II proper that each member Of the body shall
constitute one dollar for the purpose of procuring block
n marble for the Washington Monument, in
oferset ioz il that city The block will bear efoow
; inscription: The General Assembly ofthe Presbyte-
rian church in the United States met at Washington,
1s5as A committee OF three appointed carry
thu resolution into effect.
The Mail steamer Niagara left Boston for Liverpool
Wednesday last taking 90 passengers and 100000
in specie.