The daily union., 1852-02-13
Ths Duty OF the Democratic Party.

The Duty OF the Democratic Party.
II is obvious that the divisions which appear in the
ranks OF the democratic party at this time have been
produced by causes that have but little practical connex
ion with the administrative policy Of the federal gov
anment The crisis lately existing has in great meas
ure passed. and would seem to be our duty to refer
to il rather unfolding the weak points in our political
system than TO fix upon the individuals who acted
Appointment part in it. mistaken philanthropy on the
subject Of slavery, gradually infused into the sectional
eaouses Of our country, produced the Wlmot provso
the necessary effect Of which measure excited 10 high
degree those whose rights threatened From this
sprung the dangers arising from the acquisition of ter
utory from Mexico. The same cause had previously
shown its unhappy tendency but until the annexation Of
Texas and the war with Mexico il had been confined 10
small theatre, and was easily counteracted by the ord
nary action OF the government When, however, it was
supposed that the vast addition made to country
would change the equilibrium existing between the slave
and the saveholdDg States, the sectional jealousy.
already strong, called into dangerous activity, and
political ambition nervened TO aggravate feelings
which were too much inclined to mistake the permanent
and substantial interests of those who INDUCED them
In the contest thus provoked the South stood necessarily
on the defensive, and il compelled to look TO those
features Of our system which mark the limitations OF
federal power. Feeling that the compact OF the cons
tuon which secures the institution OF slavery against
foreign interference. was in danger OF being undermined,
the attitude Of the South that OF appeal to The org
nal rights OF the States and hence the among
public men conveged the general idea that the preser
vaion Of the Union depended the withdrawal OF the
aggression threatened by the sectional sentiment which
aimed 10 use the general government in changing the
nj coT ha han fhoyf nod
the Union. The North, on the other hand. regard
ing slavery evil was easily tempted TO lose
sight OF those duties which not merely enjoned an
abstinence from interfering with the institution with
in the limits OF the States where il existed by law,
bnt which also required that this institution should
not be the of any inequality in the rights Of
The people Of the Union in the acquisition OF new terri
tory, the admission OF States under The federal
constitution In this state OF feeling, the two sections
stood ausyed agains, each other until apprehended
that there would be entire alienation OF feeling and
that the constitution would to perform its func-
tons the instrument OF all the parties to it,
Patriots in the ranks OF both the regular parties Of the
country felt the necessity OF doing something to restore
peace and tranquility, and they united far as to carry
through Congress certain measures-which now the
laws Of the and-in,ended TO produce this result All
these measures, however, were not entirely satisfactory
loeVefy portion OF the Union The question respecting
sr justice and expediency formed the topic OF angry de-
Oae and in some instances led to party combina
uons paakng OF the views which had previously
prevailed regarding the relative rights OF the States and
hs power OF the general government the subject Of
slavery.
these discussions both in the South and the North,
ueaeu sectional organizations, which or less
ouned 'he action of the two national parties in the
eeeuons OF the past year but, general rule, their
'u' mas satisfied the great body OF the people that
e oes' interests Of the country demand that the old
pa'V standards should be everywhere resumed II was
w 100 apparent that the only effect OF sectional organi-
1aoon was 10 weaken the bonds OF the Union BY alien
'a0s one portion Of the country from another. In
abandoning such organizations. however, there are
wounds 10 heal, resentments to appease, and per.
'Onal nvalnes to conciliate Wings and democrats
"'u io'med what was called the free soil party,
'aen Claiming that in so doing they violated no prn-
spe winch they had heretofore maintained. Wings
'nu democrats in the same manner formed southern
sne and constitutional Union parties AT the
'e 'he great body OF the people. adherng to their old
s'"1' '' 'ound their party power more less mod.
w W The influence OF the sectional organizations
O"ed out Of them. In abandoning, TOO, these organi.
"o" there is a tendency to elimination and
,"'oalon--the necessary consequence OF the general
mat me, struggling for public favor are reluctant
'ed to vompetiiors the place Of precedence. Take,
4 uample the democrat who has joined the constitu-
,O"" Union party Place him in contact with another
'"ocrat who has joined the sou,hcrn.righ,s party.
''nhg to their old platform each is apt TO upbrad the
a with having deserted the original principles Of his
V One will say that the right Of State to separate
Union is the necessary result OF sovereignty, and
-, regardedin the great struggle Of 1900 Another
=" Wy That this right cannot be exercised wiihou,