The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-23
A SURVEY OF THE FIELD.

shapes and relations; irregular movements
| have ceased to attract much attention and 1t
would now seem that the two old political par
ties will encounter little interference from any
quarter except the Free Soil organization
The prompt ratification, by the leaders of the
| Radical Democracy of New York, OF the noml-
nation of Mr.. Pierce, showed that there was
no prospect of an open division OF the Party
/ on the Presidential question, and prepared the
way for the adoption of the Baltimore platform
by the State Democratic Conventions of New
! York and Massachusetts, and for the reOrgan-
cation of the Hunker Democracy in Vermont.
! I'm the last-named State, the Free Democracy
which at the last State election numbered
twice as many as the Hunker, has lost IN
number, though not in moral strength. In
| Massachusetts. the Coalition Democrats though
| in fact unfavorable to the Fugitive Law, and
determined to keep up good understanding
with the Free-Soilers swallowed without
grmace the entire Baltimore platform, Fugl-
tive Law and all Nowhere in the North has
there been any indication Of an open rupture
in the Democratic Party the politicians and
party presses are unanimous for the nomina-
ton That there is dsaffection among the
rank and file, we know our observation and
correspondence leave us in no doubt on this
point. 1t shows itself now, by want OF the
ordinary party enthusiasm, and may reveal
itself in November in more positive form.
The Webster movement, it was thought by
some, would operate disastrously upon the for
tunes of the Wing Party, but few now attach
any Importance to it. 1t is a mere ripple on the
surface With no Principle to give it vitality, it
necessarily languishes No respectable Party
! in this country can be created out of devotion
to man. Mr. Webster claimed to be
Whig-to be regardful of Wing Princi Piles
and Wing usagcs His friends went into
National Wing Convention, called and organ
lied according to the usages of the Party The
doctrines and policy he approved of, they saw
adopted by the Convention, and then they sub
mitted his claim to be a Presidential candi-
date to the consideration of that body They
were fairly voted down--his claim was pro-
nOunced against, regularly and fairly, without
fraud or trickery-and another gentleman put
in nomination In accordance with the usages
which have always prevailed among the old
Parties, he ought to have submitted, and to
have objected at once to any movement of his
friends, calculated to embarrass his Party
which, acting through Convention deemed
regular by himself had declined to select
him as its standard bearer. Had the Conven-
ton been guilty of fraud, had it proclaimed
Principles repugnant to the Wing creed, or
destructive, in Mr.. Webster's Judgment of the
best interests of the country, he would have
been justified in disregarding its decision, and
countenancing his friends in opposition to its
nomination. But tactly to allow them to use
him in their warfare against the Wing Party,
of which he was member because the Con-
yention declined to nominate him for the Pres
idency, has alienated from him the respect of
the Party, and has certainly added nothing to
his reputation with the Public. The move
ments of his Boston friends meet with no re-
Spouse from abroad New York is dumb the |
West takes no note of them; Southern poll |
tcians are too cunning to give them aid or |
cOuntenance.
Nor is much to be apprehended by the |
Party from the faction which growed over |
the defeat Of Mr. Fillmore. The President |
is too calm and clear-headed to dream of ad
vancing his reputation or interest by encour-
aging rebellion against the only Party with
which he can claim relationship. He points
them to the fact that the characteristic meas
ures of his Administration were fully sustained
by the Convention: that is enough to satisfy
his highest ambition his personal aspirations
shall not stand in the way of the great Wing
Party And so, he appoints Scott men to office,
and takes pains to evince his cordial acquies-
cence in the nomination of the Convention. |
The result il, the feuds which threatened the |
overthrow of the Wings have been nearly |
healed-a few devotees to principle or revenge |
stand aloof and predict disaster-but the Party |
generally is united.
At the South the work of re union in each |
of the old Parties has been going on quite as
rapidly. The Constitutional Union Party has
been dissolved Old afiinitcs have rc-estab- |
lished old associations. Compromise and State
Rights Democrats find in the character and
position of General Pierce all that they can de-
sire for the protection of the interests of Sla-
very. The Wings found it more difficult to re-
organize; they had set their hearts on the
nomination of Mr. Fillmore his defeat morti- |
fed and perplcxed them. But the nomination
of MIR Graham, one of the Cabinet of the pres |
ent Administration the adoption of the Com
promise and Fugitive Law by the Wing Con
yention, the acceptance by General Scott of
the platform. the admitted fact that he labored
with almost unexampled zeal for the passage of
the Compromise, his Southern birth, the cordial
acquicsccnce of Mr.. Fillmore the insignfcance
of the Northern movement in favor of Webster,
their total disorganization should they refuse
support to SCOTS nomination, and the chances
of victory should they support it, have at last
produced such reaction, that we should not
be surprised to see the Wing Party in North
Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee and
Louisiana, marshallcd in its full strength by
.be first of November.
But though each of the old Parties has again
succeeded North and South, in the work of
re-unitng its iorces the same remark we made
in relation to the Democratic Party applies to
the Wing though probably not to the same
extent There is enough dsaffection in the
rank and file to prevent any thing like the ord-
nary party enthusiasm. Democrats, under the
influence Of Anti-Slayery feeling, abhor the
Baltimore platform, and are reluctant to sup
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