The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-04
From lie Union Of yesterday.
The Present Posture OF the Democratic


"Ihe Democratic party never was in create,
peril than at present. Mr.. Buchanan's Baitimor.
Letter.
his declaration was made by Mr. Buchanan
after having visited Washington city, and there
fore with full knowledge of the elements OF
dlscord and dlssension which have paralyzed the
Democratic party at the Capitol IL is deeply
to be lalnented that with overwhelming ma
Jorities In both HOSES, and within three
months OF the opening of the Presidential canvass,
one oil the most distinguished members of our par
~ anc pnc OF the most prominent candidates for
the Presidential nomination, should be forced bv
sho necessities of the to make such an avowal
"ut 10 still more to be lamened that the truth of
The declaration cannot be gainsaid, and hence we
nave no fault to flnd with its avowal. II were bet
ter to look dangers full in the face, and to view
them in all their length and breath at the very
threshold, rather than to close our eyes upon them
until they become irremediablc. After having
carefully and painfully surveyed the whole ground,
we are constrained to declare to the Democracy
throughout the Union, that, in opinion, 'fhe
democratic party neuer greater peril than at
present." and gratified that the warning
winch the declaration implies comes from one
whose voice Is so deservedly potent in our ranks.
The TACT being conceded that our party is in
imminent peril, the duty of investigating the
causes which have produced such a state of things
becomes imperative We are aware that it is
delicate inquiry, but the dangers which threaten
our overthrow warn US not to be deferred by con-
celebrations OF delicacy from the discharge of our
duty.
We think we hazard nothing in the az or,;o,
that our party was never stronger thap whom AZ
present Congress assembled How b., u h.nnsn 'a
mat within three months this ct, ength has OWN
died and diminished, until our enemie. c,n exnIt
lngly taunt us with our abe o,,to u,a.ISnns., o.,
party mas assumed no y ew position for which the
people nave wi'hdra~ n their confidence nor have
- Pponsn' a9'u ned any new position by which
tney nave won " @ hearts of tbe people There are
% may DeiD Jcrats now as there were then-there
orr 10 n'ot' Wings now than then Numerically
We nv" nave rs overwhelming a majority Of the
PoPui". vote as we had three months ago Orr
'"hS'r, then, Is made manifest not by the deyel-
opoient OF our real weakness, but by the deyeop-
'i'ent OF the fact that do not harmonizeTin our
preferences Tor men, and that there is no concert
and union as to our future line of policy
IL was TO be expeetcd that our numerical strength
would call forth an unusual number of asprants
Tor Presidential honors. II was TO be pected too
that the respective friends of the several aspiran
would prosecute an animated and vigorous can
NaSs Tor the nomination. As we had statesman
IN our ranks whose Chains lowered 80 high above
al others as to forbid competition, we could not
complain that the claims of more than one should
bc Eealously urged. 1t should rather be matter
oil congratulation that we have SO many distin
gulshed Democrats whose claims upon their coun-
try give them fair title TO enter the LETS as com
Pctitors Tor so high positionr Our party has not
%
asplrants, unless the canvass for the nomination
should DC characterized by degree of zeal and ar
DOR which might degenerate into personal viru
sehce, and thereby prevent cordial and united
support oil the nominee. Whilst cannot say
that the canvass has, in all respects been prose-
Sutcd win the iogbearancc and moderation which
should have been dictated by wise counsels, we are
sun unable TO discover that there have been any
snch departures from this rule to prevent an en-
tire and HARMONIOUS, and jealous cooperation Of
our whole strength when the nomination is made.
We bopc VIC may be pardoncd for earnestly sug-
geanng to the respective friends Of the several
prahis that during the future progress OF the can
NaAs, they VIII temper their zeal with a spirit OF
vice moderation, aud not allow their personal pre-
,crences 10 hurry them into acrimonious crimina
ions anu determinations. II this warning shall be
oDscfNod, the animation which may characterize
the preliminary canvass for the nomination, instead
oil Weakening our party, will only STIR friends
up u that degree Of apdor which will enable them
To enter Immediately upon vigorous and effective
contest 80 soon AS the nomination is made The
danger does not, therefore, arise from the number
loi nspirants, but from the manner in which their
lclaims may be urged.
Whilst we concode that IL IL not essential 10 a
united support Of the nominee that there should be
harmony of preference during the canvass for the
nomination, We arc constrained 10 insist that
cannot hope for the union Of our party in the
ing contest without more concert OF purpose and
harmony OF sentiment than now seem TO orst In our
ranks. We know Of no dscord ia our party ns to
The cssental and fundamental doctrines on which
u has ever stood. In the application Of these dec
uincs 10 the several measures which have from
time 10 time agitatcd the country sud divided the
popular mind, thcTois the same degree Of unity Of
sentiment that has heretofore prevailed A a mat
ter oil course, the fundamental doctrines Of our
party will bcrcoffrmcdby tho National Convention;
snd for the purpose of avoiding misconstructions,
ana OF proscring our consistency, IL will also lie
proper 70 rcascrt adherence 10 those
which re have in former contests concentrated our
steLglh. We need not specify those measures
mere they are familiar 20 all; they have become
Che permanent policy Of the Government. and IN
der their influence our country " enjoying unprc.
codcnted prosperity. Il is manifest that oppo-
uents will risk no Issue with on any one Of
fhoso inca urcs. The question, then, rccufs, Why
D. there discOrd and disuniOn in our rnDks2 To
our mind the answer is obvious. Democrats have
failed 70 act with proper wisdom in allowing
their course 20 be controlled by the feelings and
sentiments which guided their conduct during the
agitating scenes which characterized the last Con-
grcss 4 was Legitimate Tor Democrats and for Wings
TO entertain djsershod opinions to thc best mode
OF adjusting tho slavery question. No ono was
chargcoblc with went Of icalty 20 HE party merely
because he advocated or opposed the adoption Of the
Missouri line or btcausc he advocated or opposed
The enactment Of the Compromise measures. by
common consent there was n virtual truce between
the two parties. The enactment Of the Compro-
mise measures wes the resuli OF the Deliberations
and negotiations which took place during the sus
pension Of party hostitics Some were deceived !
into The belief that tho two parties were perma-
ncntly broken up, and some sought 20 effect such |
rcsult Bot this iden was bescd upon n ruiscon.
ccpu1n Of The real character Of the principles on
which the two parties stand. In the very nature |
oi things there must be two opposing parties la /
COR Government, and IN our Judgment they are /
cssena 10 TIC preservation Of our Tree institution
when the Compromise measures we're passed, IL /
was to be expected that the members Of the two /
parties would again resume their positions. and /
pot on tfcir party nrInOr. IL wac L, be expected,
TOO, that each party would seek 30 make the most
out Of ibc Compromise measures The elections
which followed showed that, with few exceptions,
the old party lines were drawn; and the great /
question 40 issue wos, which party stood ia the /
bet position IN regard To tho COmpromisc mca.
surcs 70 command the confidence aud support OF |
tic popular mind. The general triumph 81 Demo
Gratis throughout the Union the resut. That
triumph wss achieved upon the doctrine Of accui-
efcencc IN thc CompromIse measures a. a final adj
Jusimcnt Of The slavery qucstion.
How docs u happen that in the short space Of |
th'co months We find Mr.. Buchanan constrained |
to declare thoi "thc Democratic party wac never
~ greater perl thsn NJ prescntP II is not less
true now than IL was in tho lutc elections that the
Democracy ~ standing upon the "fnahty" Of the |