The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-27
Tn. state OF Parties In the south

The state or Parties N ne South.
We see no cause for despair in the confusion which
regns this moment in the councils of the two branches
of the democratic party in the South 1t is rather sign
that the power of the party unbroken than that there
is any deep seated of weakness in its nature and
character. II such were not the fact, the effort which
produces the confusion would not exhibit leaders and
presses eager TO their old positions the platform
of this party II is not to leaky sinking ship that
men flock to obtain passage across the boisterons
ocean. But, whilst such the case, is not to be
cealed that the confusion will produce serious evils if
those who create il allowed TO make their pas
sons and prejudices the eontrol ling influence in
steering and managing the democratic ship. II is as
true it ever was that, in carrying this ship
to safe port there is need OF experience, camness.
and skill, lest il be swerved from the track, and
strike either the Scylla the Charybdis which are
placed in the in order to punish those who
vanly imagine that prosperous voyage be Sc.
cured without the exercise of the proper precautions
against rashness and prejudice.
Such observations forced upon when we look al
the elimination and recrimnaon prevailing in certain
portions OF the South among those who acted prominent
parts in The late sectional organizations which modified
the action of the two old national parties. Messrs
Cobb. Fooie Clemens. and others, still denounced as
deserters from the democratic party whilst the friends
Of these distinguished men not 10th in throw
ing back upon their accusers terms equally severe
and fatal to that operation and harmony which
are essential TO the OF the democratic party
II is duty TO friends against the dangers Of
such extravaganza, and to remind them that the time is at
hand when such feelings productive of evil than
would be the avowed desertion Of the parties to the
ranks OF the common enemy. IT, for example, demo-
cratic voters enlisted in contest uphold the rival
claims Of candidates, assaipg, the hand. and de-
Tending, on the other the doctrines OF the Nashville
southern convention, what will prevent the wings from
stepping in and claiming the prizes of political
and orthodoxy Do want any more evidence such
subject than is already afforded by the defeat OF General
| Downs in Louisiana
| A moments consideration OF the consequences pro-
duced by this suicidal policy will satisfy every true
democrat of the course he should now take. What
is the effect OF the allegation that the democratic
members OF the Union organization OF The South
are renegades from their party or, vice versa, that
the southern rights State.rights organization is
neurably stained by d.loyaly the constitution and the
Union' Evidently perpeiuation OF these euds, and a
surrender OF the government 10 the wings.
No dspassonate mind will suppose that the democratic
party Of this Union can consider those renegades
of the southern convention and yet such would 10
be the expectation OF those who assa without
the men who did not become parties TO such schemes So
on the other hand, would be contrary TO the justice
and spirit of democracy to crcumscrbe within narrow
limits the patriotism which guards the rights of the
States, and which watches with sleepless vigilance the
tendency Of the federal government 10 overstep its
stitutiona duty The Stae-rights man, IL he goes
/ n ba Ia
in the contrary direction, produces consolidation The
democratic party avoids both by claiming
only those powers which have been clearly grant.
ed by the trainers OF the constitution, and by sha-
ping the policy Of the government so that its bene-
fits are felt everywhere alike, and cooperate with
the States in promoting the general good. Bui this
party has never sanctioned an appeal to extra
constitutional resorts In alien and sediton times its
movements looked alone 10 the patriotism OF the
people, the legitimate power OF the State legislatures
and the moral force Of unsbackled press and the
freedom OF discussion. SO il has ever been in all
the trials through which have passed The in,elli-
gence, virtue, and patriotism Of the people, acting with.
in the penceabIc limits OF the constitution, have been
sufficient for every crisis |, from this that
the power came 10 carry Mr. Madison through the war
OF 1912 in opposition TO the Hartford convention II was
from the that General Jackson obtained the
means OF breaking down the bold attempt OF the money
capitalists of Europe to corrupt legislation, and
graft on the growing prosperity Of young republic the
spirit OF British monopoly, hostile to all the principles OF
our system And the recent crisis through which we
have passed adds still another proof Of he efficacy Of
the conservative power and ample capacity Of he cleo
tive principle from the sectional dangers Of
system.