The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-01
Letter OF Govsrnas Cobb.


be
the oTsnzaon Of the Union party. Having fully ex-
Of &c sed my self iavos TO The first proposition will
give The which have influenced my decision
and which think should control the course OF every
Union who intends 10 deru iy himself with the
tonal democratic party.
The democratic party OF Georgia disorg anized BY
the divisions in lis ranks the compromise measures OF
1850 That portion Of the party with which acted
gaIded those measures conoImable 10 the principles
OF the national democracyvloalve OF constitutional
right Of The South. and infection OF no greyous wrong
The other wing Of the party holding different opinion
the party was dissolved, and new organizations sprung
up in the place OF the democratic and whg parties OF the
State The issue was made, and submitted to the people
Of Georgia and by them decided and that decision sol
EMMY Teathfmed The same issue presented TO the
democracy OF the Union. and when assembled Baltimore
to nominate their candidates for President and Vice Pres
dent the position OF the national democracy upon the Com
promise was clearly distinctly, aud unequiyocay an
nouncsd. With that declaration all Union men were per
ecy satisfied IN truth, II was all that they could desire
The presidential canvass conducted upon IL General
Pierce did hesitate to respond in the most cordial Terms
of approval this patriotic declaration of the national de-
mocracy. He elected by an overwhelming majority
OF the electoral votes and upon entering upon his respon
sibe duties, has paid another tribute 10 the ''wsdom and
patriotism" which carried the country safely through that
measures He has called abound him cabinet Of able
and patriotic men, who stand UNIT in his counsels
and 10 whom as | am informed, his inaugural address
was submitted for approval prior TO their acceptance of
seats in his cabinet.
Under these circumstances, ought any UnioA demo-
cral-indeed, any Union man, whether whg or demo
his confidence and support To proceed one step fur
ther-ought any such 10 hesitate in cordially at
hliatiDg with the national democratic paIty think not
Both the President aud the party who elected him have
commended themselves TO confidence and regard by
the Of policy which they have adopted upon this
important question; and hold that it is not only our
privilege ba. our duty to g,ye e S our cordial and IN
it, of which have no fears j, will be time enough then
TO consider of the mode and of redress" The
question then presents itself, How is this support TO be
uI mo- nanLI
cratic party' II seems TO that there can be but
to The inquiry 1t is by cordial cooperation in
the democratic party OF at who prepared to stand
upon the platform of principles announced ny the Ba
more Convention. endorsed BY the people in The recent
election, and reaairmed by General Pierce, with the con-
curence OF his cabinet, his inaugural address. Upon
this basis s proposed 10 reuni,e The democratic party
AS Union democrat, il meets my cordial approval. and
shall receive my warm support. have no, reviewed
the position OF the other wing OF the party. On the con-
trary shall avoid it, having disposition 10 reopen
the points OF division which led to our separation My
object simply 10 state our own present and past course
TO show that in the policy proposed we acting
in conformity 10 the requirements OF duty and principle
Ii is sufficient for to know that the democratic party
of the Stale now be reunited upon the terms which
route others have travelled to arrive at the point
with myself. However much have differed in the
past we are now agreed upon the essential points OF our
political faith, and being agreed, should strive 10
effect thorough and cordial cooperation in the support
and maintenance OF QUO common principles
To this line of policy have heard but two objections
avail myself Of the opportunity 10 offer brief reply to
each OF them The first is that there exists radical diff
ference OF opinion between the two wings OF the party
the doctrine of secession admit that such is the
fact in reference 10 the indy dua MEMBERS but doubt
much 10 the extent OF this difference with the great
body of the party but let The fact stand admitted in its
broadest Tor the FAKE OF argument would inquire
OF those who make this objection II the same thing has
not been true OF the party for the last twenty years al
least Is il not familiar fact that whilst the Jackson
democrats held the doctrine laid down by that vene-
rated patriot his message TO Congress. and his procla
nation TO South Carolina, the Calhoun democrats al
the came time conended for the gh, OF secession ad
vocaed by their distinguished leaders The followers OF
each have maintained the faith of their respective lea !
ers, and will in all probability continue 10 do go. This
difference OF opinion, however upon abstract ques
ton did not prevent the union and corporation OF both
sections, in all the essential doctrines oil the democratic
party, upon which there existed diversity OF opinion.
With full nowledge OF these differences. they coniin
ued TO act together in the party, leaving the alb
stract question OF secession TO the judgment OF the
individual members OF the party neither making the af
hrmance denial OF that doctrine test OF party faith
for departing from the rule there acted
upon. II will be time enough to make secession a
for division when is sought, make the recogn
ton OF it test Of party loyalty, when there shall
party who may threaten It's practical enforcement
The first OF these ngences Is not at present pro-
posed from any quarter, and whenever crisis shall
rive which shall demand The latter, in the Judgment OF
The people, do not apprehend that we shall stop 10
discuss the abstract question II we agreed upon the
more important point oil necessity and propne,y Of its
enforcement IT, however. would not be thus agreed,
the in recent contest, there will be no
difficulty in The future than there has been in the
past in meeting and successfully resisting it's recognl-
ton and enforcement This objection therefore, presents
10 my mind serious impeachment, in the way OF the
union OF the democratic party OF our State.
The only remaining objection which seems 10 demand
attention is founded upon the idea that there exists
among souihernrghls such deep personal hostility
to Union democrats TO preclude the probability OF our
receiving justice al their hands Ii urged that their OPP
position, being OF personal and malg character Will
with the reunion, but will be continued and felt
the future operations OF the party |, s sufficient
ply to their objection 10 that II is argument adj
dressed 10 fears, and not Judgment As such,
il shall be discarded without further thought But il is
also founded in to our supposed weakness in the
party IL no other consideration should rights
to be respected safely calculate upon the homage
always paid to power carrying as we do into the reuni
ted party all the elements OF strength which make up
the aggregate the power and influence OF a party. In
apprehend such state OF things this objection
foeshadowe, and perhaps shall have much personal
OF apprehension upon this point as any other Union
democrat.
II is ha, the angry and violent contests OF the last
years have embilteed the feelings and aroused the
passions of many towards each other, who will be
thrown again into the same party association but time
feeling where interest and policy failed to accomplish IT
With weak minds and bad hearts the process will be less
rapid bu, in the end not less certain II viii be found
that those who indulge in this spirit OF personal hostility
are few in numbers and powerless in influence. The
good and good feeling Of the great body OF The party
counses The danger to the future union and harmony
OF the party ro that quarter feel assured IL over-es
mated by those who regard il insuperabe obstacle
in the way OF cordial reunion OF the democratic party
opposed to the reorganization OF the Union party
because IL Is unnecessary. An important crisis IN ou