The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-01-06

We publish this morning the official report of
the proceedings of the National Executive
Democratic Committee" appointed at the last
Baltimore Convention to designate the time and
place for the Democratic National Convention of
1852. 1t will be seen that Tuesday the fsrt day
of June, and the city of Baltimore, have been
selected accordingly.
In that mysterious correspondence of August
Last, between certain members of this commi tee
and the undiscovered Messrs. DONALDSON and
GREER, acontrariety of opinions were expressed
in regard to the timc-the place being almost
unanimously agreed upon. But while some Of
the National Executive Committee suggested
the month of May, according to established
June as more advisable, in order that the De-
mocrscy may not show their entire hand to the
adverse party in season TO adopt their own ticket
and programme, the most effectually to check
mate the Baltimore schedule. There is some
thing in laying down the landmarks of the
campaign, Of which an ingenious enemy may
take advantage, if he has several weeks of refec
ton upon If, before he is required to proclaim his
own plan of operations.
In 1877, the Democrats at Baltimore acted in
advance Of the Wings al Philadelphia. And
what followed is a matter Of instructive history
The Democrats nominated Gen. CAss, when, as
il afterwards appeared by the acceptance Of a
certain nomination from the South, they might
just as well have nominated General TAYLOR as
not He was ready TO serve them-he was at
the service of the people without distinction Of
party. True, he was a Wing, but not an ultra
Whig;" and the Baltimore Convention Of '4s,
sitting month later. would have probably dis
covered that he was a good enough Democrat
till after the election. In any event, il gives an
important advantage to the opposition TO act so
far in advance Of their action, as to afford them
time TO canvass the whole field, and discover the
weak as well as the impregnabe points Of the
line Of battle. II is Of the first moment 10 be
informed, before moving 10 the assault, Of the
ground occupied, and the extent of the wings to
the right and the left Of The leader Of the enemy
There is wisdom, therefore, in deferring the Bal.
timore Convention I'LL about the time that the
Wings will be compelled TO take the field
A still more important question 10 be deter
mined by the National Executive Committee
was The manner of organizing the convention
This they have done according TO the recon-
mendaton Of the convention Of '4s, by provid
ing that the delegation from each State shall
be equal in numbers 10, aud no more, than the
representation Of each State in the Electoral
College.
Experience Is the mother OF wisdom. Her
lessons are the practical results Of things at.
tempted, things accomplished and things v hicb
have failed. Her teachings are often dsregarded,
but in the main they are the guide-book Of man.
kind Statesmen, diplomats, and politicians,
though seldom among the frat, are not always
tho Ia {, TO profit from her monitions
The past history Of the Democratic party
abounds 10 matter Of useful instruction, and es-
pecislIy TO all aspiring disciples Of the Demo
cratic faith There is much Of truth in the old
stories Of wire pulling, and there is much Of
power in u position behind the scenes. Who
does not recollect the imperial regime Of the AL.
bany Regency and what more interesting ep.
isode in our seventy-fve years Of political histo-
ry, than the chain Of political events, by which
the Albauians were supplanted Who could have
believed, had the prophecy been proclaimed by
an angel, in April 1874, that the Texas ques-
ton would have accomplished the wonders, the
glories, and the disasters, which followed so
rapidly the adoption Of the policy Of annexa
ton by the Baltimore conventionl The super
seding of MARrm VAS BtfES was but the com
mencement Of series Of events which have sub
stantially suspended the old doctrine ofan here.
ditary succession--a line Of Presidents from q
line Of precedents, running through all the infe.
rior grades Of promotion in each case, and enter
ing the White House, according TO priority Of
rank and seniority in the service. This line Of
succession was broken of by the Texas ques.
tion--but il was suspended rather than sup.