The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-04
PARTIES IN THE SOUTH.

what divided IN opinion as 10 the course II shall
pursue in the approaching Presidential can
vass Some of its Democratic members are
anxious that it should send delegates TO the
Baltimore Democratic Convention, for the pur
pose of checkmating the Free-Soilers, and Sc
curing the nomination of Union man accept
able to the South--rather hazardous step.
What kind of credentials would such dele.
gates present! Regulating the old Democrat
ic organization, how could they expect to be re-
ceived as members of Democratic Conyen
ton Would the Northern Democrats, welded
as they are to established usages, consent Il
receive mongrel delegation, representing {
hostile organization, and seeking admission
avowedly for the purpose Of accommodating
what are called Free Soil Democrats
Thus far the suggestion has not found mucf
favor. The policy of the Union Party of thu
South, so far as disclosed by its principal organ
is, to maintain its independence decline par
ticipaton in the Conventions of the old parties
to hold itself in reserve for the purpose of de-
Gliding on the comparative merits of the nomi-
nations Of those Conventions when submitted
to the public. The Alabama Union men have
called National Convention, to meet in this
city, after the othor Conventions shall have
acted
Mr. Stephens, a member Of the House from
Georgia, has lately written letter to gen.
tleman in Georgia in which he unqualifedly
opposes the proposition to send delegates to the
Baltimore Convention, argues that the true
course OF 4. U2ion men is to demand 49,
action by the Conventions of the Wings and
Democrats, as a condition precedent, because
the condition of the claims of their nominations
assumes that the old political organizations are
"effete and corrupt" utterly untrustworthy for
the protection of Southern rights, and insists
that the Alabama recommendation of Ma
tional Union Convention in Washington city
should be responded to by every friend of the
South
A few extracts will serve to show the position
of the leading Union men of the South.
IF those members of that Convention [Balti-
morel from the South, who were lately so loud
in their denuncation of all men at the North,
and who were 50 particularly censorious of our
position at home, shall acknowledge their errors
and put themselves upon our principles, and shall
purge that body Of its Free Soil elements and
shall also present TO the country good candi-
date for the Presidency it will be time enough
for us to connect ourselves with their action
after they shall have given us these evidences
Of their being entitled TO our confidence and
cooperation A good candidate, standing on
our principles and put forward by an organi-
cation standing upon the same principles, is all
we want. That Convention, there.
fore, so called and so constituted, as well as all
other National Conventions whether Demo-
cratic or Wing, must be put right on the record
as a condition precedent, before looking TO me
for any support or countenance. ] speak only
for myself The Constitutional Union party
can speak for itself when its Convention as
sembles. But can any one doubt that the
moral power and influence of our position upon
the action Of the Baltimore Convention would
be much greater outside than inside of its de-
hberatiOnsl Would they be less likely TO COM
ply with our demands from fear Of our defiance
in case of refusal, than to be controlled by our
wishes after voluntary surrender
1t might be well for our Free Soil friends Of
the North to ask themselves a similar question
"No occasion has yet arisen for an appeal tc
the whole people Of the United States upon the
principles Of our organization. Whether such
an occasion shall arise may depend upon the
action of this Baltimore Convention. Alabama
has already called National Convention on
our principles, to assemble in this city after the
Baltimore Convention. To this latter Conyen-
ton we should not fail TO send delegates.
Should such state of things then exist as to
render q new national organization necessary
and proper to carry out our principles, | feel
assured that the late results in Georgia, Ala
bama, and Mississippi, ore but proofs of what
may be expected in other sections of the coun-
try, when similar efforts may be made for sim
liar objects And in this connection will add
that the idea Of reorgdnising either of the old
parties in this country upon sound national
principles, is, in my opinion, result not TO be
looked for with much confidence As organi-
cations, these parties are both eifete and cor
rupt. They both make professions in plat
forms which they never carry out in practice.
These platforms or programmes have become
nothing but artful devices, by which dema
gogues are enabled to delude and cheat the
people. New wine is not to be put into old
bottles else they burst And if the effort to
lntuse new and sound principles into either of
those worn-out parties should be successful,
like result may be expected. II ia quite i'm.
probable that It should be otherwise for the
elements in each are discordant conflicting,
and hostile"
MIR Stephens is no friend of Intervention doc
trines
" Bot apart from considerations growing out
OF the present condition of the slavery question
ana other questions of domestic policy, on
which there is equally as wide difference of
opinion between the two great wings of these
oiu parties there arc still other and new cues
uo9s arising, upon which most probably still
WIDER differences Of opinion will exist The
question OF interfering with and taking part
IN European politics will soon be upon us.
coming events cast their shadows before At
this time we see a man, of unusual address and
great ability, traversing the Northern States of
the Union, and urging upon the people the
abandonment of those principles which have
been coeval with the existence of our Govern
ment in our relations with the various monar-
,hies and dynasties Of the Old World. His OBJ
ect evidently is to implant in the public mind
Inc principle that it is our duty to join in
general crusade for the liberties of mankind
These wild and disorganizing doctrines have
been embodied in resolutions and adopted with
enthusiasm by large and respectable meetings
n divers places. The day is not distant when
The questions involved in these doctrines will
become practical issues They will present
subjects of vast magnitude and momentous inn
portance for the consideration of the American
people Aud upon them, as well as upon those
other kindred questions to which have alluded,
men IN all sections who think alike must or.
game aud act together, without respect to past
OF opinion ON other points, or an
early doom will be our destiny, instead of that
full measure OF true greatness which il is our
real mission to attain, and which nothing
short OF the united patriotism of the whole
country can secure"