The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-30
The Union OF the Democracy.


The Union OF the Democracy.
1t is truism which all recognise. that when the de-
mocacy are united they are nvincibe But ii no less
uuisui, that it is only when defeat has impressed
party with The importance of that its value is fully
appreciated But for the habiua disregard Of the
sity OF maintaining united party organization which
charactezes in the midst OF success and ascendsncy
we should deem sufficient TO point to existing indica
tons Of danger in order to prevent the discussions and
divisions which threaten TO destroy our strength.
The indications which refer are unfortunately too
papable and too familiar TO render their specification me-
cessary 1t will be profitable to avail ourselves Of
the benefits of experience in fixing upon remedy than
10 investigate the motives and causes OF the disahecuon
in our ranks, which 10 be rapidly penng into de-
lection and opposition.
To illustrate the position which design TO enforce,
we need 60 further back than the last presidential
contest Although the administration of MIR. Polk had
been emneny successful, and had closed in nnsuT-
passed bIliancy the democratic party had neglected TO
maintain its unity and integrity, and the consequence
the usual and legitimate defeat arising from dscord
and division This disastrous result awakened The de-
mocracy 10 The necessity of hamonzng and closing its
columns; and under this conviction. the triumph in the
contest OF 1852 insured by the action OF the Ba.
more Convention. The OF dissension never lay
deeper spread wider in party than they did prior
the meeting Of the Baltimore Convention in 1852 These
causes Of dssenson only personal growing out,
of az animated canvass for the nomination, mingled
with little OF bitter jealouses and rivalries, but also
political, growing out OF antagonisc to the in
su,on OF slavery, rendered intense from sectional feel
ings. II we ascertain with disncness the mode BY
which union and harmony secured in this alarming
state of dscor. shall thereby point out the surest
means Of avoiding the dangers which now environ u.s.
When the Baltimore Convention assembled the tem-
ocatc party split into three distinct divisions in re-
gard the slavery issues whilst all other essential
questions il was unit These three divisions enter
tanned different and irreconceable opinions 10 the
merits OF the laws passed in 1850 for the settlement, of
the slavery agitation. One portion cordially approved
the compromises measures doing justice to both
tons OF the Union another portion denounced them as
grossly unjust TO the rights OF the South whilst the
third portion repudated them for their alleged conces
sions TO southern interests These three conflicting d.
visions represented by their respective delegates
in the convention. and their differences had 10 be harno-
nzed to give any hope Of success 10 their nomination.
The delegates were deeply impressed with the necessity
OF union upon platform OF principles, and they
met together that spirit Of fraterna kindness and
Citation which could alone reconcile their dscodAn po
si,ions The friends OF The Compromise at once saw
that there could be argument upon q proposition 10
approve the measures of adjustment The enemies OF
the Compromise saw and conceded that there could be
no union upon the proposition to oppose the adjustment,
either unjust the North the South Neither d.
vision expected 10 be willing TO yield its distinctive
opinion, and adopt entirely ansgonisiic but each
division ornasd BY desire 10 iritidrau the
slavery agiatiox from me future dscustons Of the party
This sentiment which pervaded the entire delegation,
furnished the basis OF compromise which resulted in
the attainment OF the union OF the party IT was
strongly felt and freely admitted all hands that the
slavery agitation had resulted in nothing but evil and
disaster TO the party, willis, had jsoparded the very
existence OF the federal Union To the democratic
party from permanent Reorganization, and restore
il 10 a cordial union upon principles that would
command the approval OF all its members, the
grand object to be attained. Every true democra, cult
Yates habtusy the belief that the federal Union and the
democratic party are nseparaby identified This sen-
ment pervaded the delegates 10 the Baltimore Conven
ton, and bad worked out its legitimate resul,s-com
rsomr,E and uSos-even before the convention was
sembled Patriots OF enlarged views fell that the fate Of
the federal Union was involved The Of the dem
conviction that there could be union OF the democ
racy whilst the slavery question recognised a L.
climate party issue To the expulsion OF this fatal ele-
meni of dscord from the pale of the party OF the
nobest statesmen that ever hopored our national name
directed all their energies
The proposition on which lbe delegates harmonized
was the result of and repeated consultations be-
tween democrats who entertained wdsy different views
impossible to agree upon any proposition which required
either the advocates the opponents OF these
10 surrender their opinions and acknowledge that they
had been in error Upon such proposition the disor
saniz alton and disruption OF the party inevitable
II the Baltimore platform bad expressly sprropsd DIS
approved the Compromise, the nominee would have mel
with certain defeat. The friends OF the measures of
adjustment never had the strength to elect President
and this fact ousb, 10 impress itself with force upon the
minds of those democrats who claim from the admins
ta,ion more consideration towards the original advo.
Gates Of the Compromise than they supposed to have
received On the other hand if all the opponents OF the
laws of adjustment could have united a nomination,
"a thing wholly acticabe they could have had no
hope Of .occess 1t only the cordial union OF the
democracy that democratic triumph could be secured
and il was only upon The proposition OF scqsiescence in
The Compromise az final settlement, Of the slavery aai
,son ha, such union could be attained The free and
earnest consultations which took place prior TO the meet
Il. A.