The daily union., 1852-03-16
the Lat. pr..,d.n,,.l Discussions.

ne dscussOns In Inc House oil Representatives du.
ring the last ten days have given the utmost possible de-
gree OF publicity the dssensons in our party well
their causes and, trust. their full extent To the
wings these have been interesting and amusing develop
ments--to the democrats they have been painful and
Notifying They well calculated to nfuse into the
ranks of the former pleasing hopes, and hence we are
not surprised at the tone Of confidence in which their
organs alude 10 their prospects. But il is much more
important the democrats inquire into the probable
influence Of these exhibitions upon their prospects.
We need not inform readers that, whilst the evil
dences OF dssenson in party in process OF de-
velopmenf, participated most painfully in the regret
and modification which felt by all good democrats
We could but regret that of dssenson existed
and we were mortified at the public exposure TO which
some of our friends have deemed il necessary subject
our family jars" 1t does not follow, however, that
the retrospect in which they have INDUCED improper
unnecessary is il TO be inferred that this not
the and shortest road TO that state of harmony
which we all desire TO secure On these points we ven
ture opinion.
1t was we'll known before the late discussions took
place that there elements of discord in party
growing out of personal preferences to candidates,
and out OF former differences of opinion to the best
mode OF settling the territorial and slavery questions
But it was not known how far these OF discord
likely TO extend in preventing that unity and
cert OF action which felt by all be essential to
We have watched the progress OF the late
discussions and although they marked by incidents
and expressions which painful, yet upon a calm
view OF all the Developments find hopes OF u
innate union OF party not all weakened So far as
the dissensons spring from personal preferences. we
have heard nothing which stand nsurmounta-
bic obstacle to harmony Each candidate for the nom
nation has ardent and enthusiastic friends who point
with confidence the grounds which they base their
respective preferences II has sometimes happened that
the friends OF any OF the candidates have been hurried
by their ardent zeal into expressions which might be
srued into mpua,ons upon other candidates. il is not
be wondered that such supposed assaults should be
repelled with equal enthusiasm. and that recnmination
should follow elimination but il should be borne in
mind all the time that the candidates themselves not
responsible for these OF ZEAL and that no perma
alterations should result from such collisions when
they are not allowed degenerate into offensive person
alites Its gratifying fact. which will strike every
terzed by unusual and enthusiasm express
has fallen from any speaker which conveys charge
against any candidate which would prevent that speaker
jec,ed TO- Judge Douglass friends give him Jealous
support, because they regard him the most available
of 'ibe progressive democracy" His
claim TO this distinction may be earnestly controver,ed
by the friends OF the other candidates it is pressed by
his friends, and il does follow that there is any
ireconcilable OF dscord which will operate after
nomination. On the other hand, the friends Of Gen.
eral Cass and Mr.. Buchanan may earnestly urge their
superior claims the OF theirarge experience and
their eminent services Their claims TO such distinction
may be as earnestly contested by the friends OF the other
Houston, Mr. Marcy. and General
Butler; and yet, when the nomination is made, all
unite with enthusiasm. In such a contest-which,
il must be admitted is rather novel on the floor OF Con-
gress-we no, to be surprised il personal attach
ments lend degree OF earnes,ness and point to
the discussions which may savor OF personalities, but
much allowance ought TO be made for such exhibi.
tons OF devoted friendship; and may we'll be grafed
that each OF the candidates has friends whose greatest
faults are that their attachments lead them into
OF admiration, and sometimes into imprudences of as.
saut These are faults easily overlooked, and they will
not be remembered after the nomination. What II
an ardent friend OF Judge Douglas should insist that be
ought to be nominated because OF those points in bis
and history which calculated attract the
popular feeling, and that for want OF such recommenda
,ions General Cass or Mr.. Buchanan would not be
equally ayaiablel This is legitimate consideration
which friend might well urge. But il friend Of Gen.
eral Cass or Mr. Buchanan places less estimate upon
the attractive features in Judge Douglass character, and
insists that their greater age and larger experience furnish
safer basis Of availability the public discussion of
these points OF difference need interfere with the ult
mate attainment OF harmony II may turn out that these
discussions will elicit from the peopein whose hands
is the nt,mnaton-a careful investigation OF the
peculiar csms of the several candidates. and thereby
suit in a mo re judicious selection. Al all events il we
are in danger from our dssensons should be content
hat the ALARM has been sounded in time to enable the
power 10 profit by the knowledge
Weturn now TO that OF dssension in our ranks
which connects ITSELF with former differences OF opinion
Is TO the best mode Of settling the territorial and slavery
ues,ions II IL matter OF profound qualification to us
hat the late discussions have developed no reconcabe
scord, growing out Of former opinions on these delicate
subjects We have listened with pleasure to the able
md manly debates in which the points OF difference
'nongst southern democrats have been involved. In
hese debates we have heard nothing TO cause us to
ioubt to the practicaby Of harmoniz'ng upon an