The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-18

I
redeeming pledge contained in he precedin,
} number, that the editors would descend from
J generalities TO particulars having swep
the whole off ia mass, they wohld take Of
their heads seriafia, aud they accordingly be
! gan with General Butler, of Kentucky. TIL,
} February number of that Review contains
J grossly personal and abusive article against
General Butler by name, and against the RES
OF the candidates coverty, and even impeaches
General Buffers DEMOCRACY, thou gh he was en-
dorsed by the whole parry in l848, and has beer
a consistent Democrat shce and before the con
ductors of the Reoieio were born will not
descend TO the details flhat article, and aDswe,
them seriatim. II is full Of gross lnisrepresen
tanons. do not appeaAespeciaIly on behalf OF
any one of the distinguished members of the
Democratic party; but say that the party should
-ee warned that an influence has sprung up in
their midst, under the OPERATION of which a De.
riodlca supposed to represent the interests OF
The whole patty, has beer converted into mere
partisan sheet and, under Us present conductors
Is attempting to promoteparticuar interests by
traducing the most honored names in our party
make this statement that the party may under.
STAND how much confderee to place in that Re
uie,o.
Let me say word nov upon this question OF
progress. profess to be friend of rational
progress; but | want no wild and visionary
progress that would sweep away all the mmor.
tal principles of our forefathers, hunt up some
imaginary genius, pl.ce him on new policy.
give him Young America" for q fulcrum. and
let him turn tie world upside down. That is
not the progress want want steady and
rational advance-not beyond the limits Of tho
federal Constitution. But am afraid that such
progress as is now talked about would carry us
clear away from that sacred instrument. | want
TO progress by amelioratng the condition of
the people by fair, just, and equal laws, and by
simplicity, frngality, and justice marking the
| operations of the federal government Above
I'all, hope TO see the Democratic party adhere
with mmovable fidelity to the ancient and dis.
tingushing landmarks of its policy. These are
my opinions on progress and | think the
| sooner we canvass and winnow, and sift away
opposite opinions, the better
Mr. Chairman, am here to make no charges !:
am here to make no assaults; but | am here to
say, in spirit of friendship and warning-not
behalf of A, B,Sor c, but in behalf of nine
teen-twentieths of the Democratic party--to
those who make these assaults, gentlemen,
this thing must stop.
Now, let me give brief history Of this mat
ter, There was gentleman, able, full of talent.
tull OF activity, particular partisan and friend
ne had right to be--of particular gentleman
mentioned in connection with the Presidency.
That gentleman went to the State of Kentucky
upon political pilgrimage last fall, the object
OF which was, suppose, to drive Gen. Butler
from his own soil-to dishonor him at home
by fastening upon him corrupt political in
trigue; but meeting there the same fate as befell
those who went to drive the McGregor from
his native heath, he came back and bought up
The Democratic ReUieIo for political partisan
paper for the campaign, and, with no names at
the masthead, that ReuieU is now pursuing
course as fatafto the Democratic party as it is
false and unfair
Dir. Chairman, every man, whether he be a
Wing or Democrat, has fight to be cand
dldate for every office-that being one of the
elements OF freedom in this country--and no
man ought 10 be blamed fo-the misconduct of
his friends, unless he connRed at it. The in
dividuals assailed in this paper, either coyertly
or by name, are Cass, Buchanan, Butler, Hons
ton-in fact, all the candidates except the dis.
tinguished Senator from Illinois, Mr.. Douglas.l
who seems to be particular favorite.
Mr. RICHARDSON, Gnterrupting) wish
10 say, in connexion with the remasks which
have been made by the gentleman from Ken.
lucky, that, so far as Judge Douglas is con-
cerned, he has no interest in, and no control
over, the Democratic Repieo. He is not re-
sponsible for anything that has appeared in it,
columns, or TINT may appear, unless il be over
his own signature.
know that Judge Douglas deErecates the
assaults that are made by Democratic papers
upon Democratic men. His object, his desire,
his wish, Is, that we may have harmony, peace,
and good will among the entire party He be-
liavaa Ia fb.f he r l..
tutons depends upon the success Of the Demo
cratic party. By division, we cannot promote
that success.
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE Mr.. Chairman, am
very much gratii.d TO hear that general state
ment But for the purpose Of enabling the gen.
tleman from Illinois to remove the III feeling
which has undoubtedly been produced by the
appearance of these attacks, will ask him
question which will enable him 10 place Judge
Douglas upon proper ground; because what we
want is the truth. IL is known that some gen.
tlemen, members Of Congress, long after the
article In the January number of the Democratic
Review had been printed and circulated assaiI.
ing in language and style known to You all, the
gentlemen whom ] have enumerated-sioned
paper recommending that periodical 10 the
Democracy Of the country, and many copies were
sent out for distribution Among Others. Judge
Douglas signed that paper. ask the gentleman
from Illinois If he is able 10 state whether Il was
signed by Judge Douglas before or after the
leading article Of the January number was
printed and circulated
Mr.. RICHARDSON. II was signed previous
TO the appearance of The January number, and
not after It. will state, for the Information of
the gentleman, that so far as Judge Douglas is
concerned In this matter, he knew nothing Of
the January number until he saw IL in print
Mr. Peck, from Vermont, formerly distinguish.
ed member Of this House, told me that violent
attack upon General Butler would appear in the
February number. Judge Douelas did all he
could to prevent that sssault---his object being,
as II is now, and trust ever will be, to promote
harmony IN the party.
Mr.. CARTIER. Will the gentleman from
Kentucky permit me TO ask him question
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE. A short one. for
my time is nearly up
Mr.. CARTIER. ] ask The gentleman If we
are 10 understand him that The principles Of
progress advocated in the Democratic Review
are a reflection on the gentleman he has named |