The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-10-26
JAMES GUTHRIE
WASHINGTON, October 8, 1853.


Dear Sir: Since the conversation we
had upon the subject Of the unfortunat ate
division in the Democratic party in New
York; feel more and more convinced
that the present disorganization cannot fail
to endanger the success of the principal
of the party there, and to prove injurious
elsewhere. But the separation is effected
A conviction has forced itself on my mind.
that Democrats pledgedt to each other upon
a common platform OF principles, the
division could and ought to have been pre-
vented.
You are aware that to the principles oil
the Baltimore Convention and the policy
intimated by the Inaugural Address, the
President and his constitutional advisers
stand pledged before the world. They
have been and are united as one man up
or those principles and that policy, and
had reason to believe that all gentlemen,
who consented to accept office under the
administration. stood pledged to the same
principles and policy.
As the President understands the Gin
ciples avowed as the PLATFORM of the party
at Baltimors, all Democrats who joined in
unfolding and carrying out the same were
entitled TO be recognized as worthy of the
confidence OF the united party, and con.
sequently eligible TO official station. That
all could not obtain office was manifest:
and that the distribution could not be ex.
actly equal amongst the different sections
OF the party, was equally certain. Yet the
distribution was intended to be SO made as
to give just cause of complaint to no one
section; and it is believed that this inten.
ton has been carried out. not only by the
President himselfbut by most ofhis appoin.
tees in respect to the officers under the
latter.
1t has so happened that your appoint,
ments have been very generally made
from that portion Of the party to which you
now adhere. This you thought best cal
culated to secure union and harmony =
That desirable object has failed to be at
tanned; and the other portion Of the party
feel that they have not been fully recog'
nized by you, and. as things now stand,
may not do justice to your motives.
| call your attention to this subject, and
to the fact that the President and his cabi,
net, with entire unanimity, to recognize
that portion Of the party as Democrats
distinctly avowing and firmly maintaining
the principles 81 the Baltimore platform
and entitled to be recognized by Official
stations in your department. Allow me
to express the expectation that you will SC
recognize them in the only way that vii
carry conviction with it.
Ihaye not hitherto deemed it necessary
to make any particular inquiry with regard
to the section Of the Democratic party te
which persons nominated for position ir
the custom house at New York belonged
prior to the reunion Of the party n l849
which reunion was supposed to have beer
thoroughly cemented in the great and tri
umphant contest in 1852. But, as the
present excited state Of feeling among po'
litical friends who acted together in 1862
and who now stand unequivocally upon
the same platform Of principles in New
York, is suggestive Of q Discrimination o
which the administration viii notapproye,
! / shall send q copy Of this letter 10 the M,