The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-10
From the Ne,o York Journal Of Commerce.
Naxv Vnrlr nnItftea


national spirit in relation to slavery. Of so decided
cast that their chief earned the title of north
ern man with southern principles. The title was
not unjust. The policy was simply national. 1t
continuation Of that system under which the
country had been wisely governed by other dis
tinguishcd men, and would have secured for Mr..
Van Buren,, had nothing been done to forfeit it, an
exalted fame as prudent agacious, aud patriotic
statesman. The Democratic party Of New York
had been schooled in these principles, and was
equally eminent for its national and patriotic
character II gave the electoral vote of this State
to Mr.. Polk, who succeeded in the convention
which refused denomination to Mr.. Van Buren,.
The especial friends Of Mr.. Van Buren, in New
York were, however, omitted in the con-
| struction of Mr.. Poke Cabinet, although the
nomination Of Mr.. Polk was due in part, if
not mainly, to Mr.. Benjamin F. Butler. Sud-
denly the men who had for years been con-
cerned in plans which had for their object the
possession of the National Government, found
themselves stripped not only of power, but Of In
fiuence; and the Barnburners resolved on obtain
ing what they had lost by building up party in
the North on principles the opposite of those by
which they had previously been governed; the
anti slavery element 10 constitute its main foun-
dation. The grand assembcge at Buffalo, at which
ticket, composed OF Martin Van Buren, for Prssi-
dent, and Charles +. Adams for Vice President
an assemblage addressed by Frederick Douglass
and brought together under the auspices of John
Van Buren,, noble pair Of brothers, was the cul-
minating point in that sectional, unpatrotic, and
dangerous movement. II began in New York
during the Presidency of Mr.. Polk, and was in no
degree checked by Governor Marcy, whose posi-
ton Secretary of War enabled him to require
from the Administration its utmost efforts to put
down the sectional spirit in its incipiency. What
that Administration omitted, the patriotic spirit
of the country achieved. The National De.
nocrats, who had remained firm ia their. ale
glance to the Constitution, aided in accomplishing
a victory over those who to carry out their iniqui.
tous designs attempted to array the religious feel
ing of the North against slavery. and all the laws
by which it was guarded-the Fugitive Slave act
and those acts which prevent the carrying on Of
agitation within southern limits, by excluding free
negroes trained in abolition doctrines. The result
of the issue was long doubtful, The members from
the Northern States who had voted for the Mis-
| souri, Compromise, had not been sustained. There
were strong affirmative elements in every city and
county OF the North hostile to slavery. Opposition
to it was becoming mixed up with religious feel
ing. The anti slavery politicians threw the weight
Of their votes and influence in favor of those who
agreed with them in both parties. Politicians
were shy Of encountering what almost certainly
led to political annihation--a supposed inclina-
ton to protect The rights Of the South. These
circumstances made the result doubtful and,
but for one element in the contest, it would
have remained doubtful TO this hour. II was
the determined stand taken by the Southern States
A shock was produced by il which broke in upon
the integrity OF paries and the best men of both
sides, III the true spirit OF the founders OF the Co
vernmcnt and aroused by their love for the Union,
attacked the movement of the Seciionalists with a
spirit so determined, that no capital could be made
from prosecuting il. The rank and file deserted,
and leaders have since been busy to arrest their
steps at some new position, and there collected the
scattered material for other contests The National
Democrats, who had in every stage of the proceed
ing raised their voice against the danger, were
seen To have been the safest counseors, and
OF the Barnburners. Thus began movement at
last in the right direction. grave error had been
committcd-that was generally confessed-wlich
was being properly atoned Tor and corrected; and
time will yet show that no union can be formed in
the Democratic party except ON that basis-the
complete surrcDder Of unsound principles, and an
adoption of those which lie at the foundation of
the Constitution. III the National Democrats con-
sent to union any basis short Of this. their
total destruction is q work merely oil time; where
as, il they stand firm, regardless of temporary de-
feats, their final triumph Is sure. The meetings OF
recent conventions, ON the basis OF union without
regard to principles, clearly indicates what the
future will produce. Although the National De.
mocrats have had majority in two conventions.
they have been def, ated. The Barnburners have
stood compact, and have offered TO those who can
be moved 10y the temptation Of office noipin atoms
for themselves aud friends, II they would take
more moderate ground than the principles of the
majority required. The eight or ten necessary 10
give effect 60 this intrigue have been found;
aud those who have thus prostituted themselves
have compelled those who constituted majority TO
descend 10 their standard. The minority and the
middle men thus obtain the patronage, and they
sill be enabled TO do 30, il the National Dem
ocrats abandon, they do, their principles, by
placing thcnse Ives ia such an attitude. The mid
die men may justly argue, You have met here 10
victory, regardless Of principle, and II Is
the very ground on which We have acted, only we
have descended lower in the scale. IL is the neyi
table effect VI union the basis Of the spos 70
degrade the National Democrats 10 n low condi-
Al, ,fv no INN dfafa md
dcrance TO the Barnburners, and finally, for the
want Of principle, 90 defeat both. The delegation
from this State 10 Baltimore is composed OF major
ity which represents not the national feeling of the
State, but is hnatical aud sectional interests, mo-
oihed through the cxcrtioEs Of this middle clnse,
Nho stamp upon politics its loose, undgniicd and
vague character.
II appears to US that there is class Of men at
the South the precise counterpart Of tpse poJiti-
clans Of easy virtue in the Northern Statcs, men
who are bout on giving prcpondcrsnce 10 individ
uals and TO party, without respect 10 the great in
tcrcsts which depend for their maintenance on the
patriotism Of De present mOmsni Of Inajoritics In
every comm nifty II the South can afford ut this
juBcture 10 exhibit itself "a divided people, 20
show that u IL more mindful oi the succcss 81 men
and party than Of measures connected with their
prosperity and consequently with the prosperity
aud welfare OF the whole country IL will be from
disregard o! the wisdom which all experience loud
ly pfoclaims. The example will be contagious
IL would be n proud spectacle 10 see the Southern
States, after tho severe contests from which they
have lately come, form together a high basis,
and show their disregard and contempt OF old and
wOrn-Out associations. Tic exhibition IL fierce
party spirit among them strikes the mind uuplea.
slutly-nuch in the way In which II is affected
when a widow, fresh from her husbands grave,
enters into n new alliance. Much depends On their
firmnoes and patr otism. The men here who look
TO them for strength and support ~ their political
action scarcely stand alone. II The National
Wings and Democrats arc TO be handed over, os
wore the friends Of the Missouri compromise, TO
the political cxCcutiOncrs IN the Seward aud Ven
Buren, factions, IL determines the OF others
in a criss like that through which the country has
passed.
In connection with the above, we present com.
munication which comes 10 va from a source cnt.
tied to mach rcspcct.
For TIE Journal Of Commrcs.
As the timc approaches for the nomination Of a
Democratic candidate for President, We deem IL
due az well TO the true Democracy Of this State
TO thei, brethren throughout the Coniedcracy,to ex
If l.rs