Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-02-06
Sir, the President did all in his power to

Sir, the President did all in his power te
BRING together, not his enimie5, but hi,
FRIENDS. His effort was to bring them har-
noniously together, and he may have
! thought that the Softs would grow softer
under the mellowiug influence OF the
spoils, and that the iIards would some
what r-lent under the sarae inausnee. HI
pursued this course fol- r. purpose Of see
ing II their hostility could not be recon
ciied; Yes, SIT, for the purpose of seem!
II their hostility could not be reconcied
aud state here, with perfect conhdenc,
IN the correctness of the assertion, thai
there was nothing wrong in it.
say. If have an influence over my d.
vided friends, have the right, and it is my
duty, to bring that intluence to bear upo1
them for the purpose Of making them
friends. And especially when that intin-
ence is sustained by high official position
does it become great public duty.
say, then, with the greatest respect tc
my friend over the way, Mr.. Walbridge,
that the course taken by tie President and
sis Cabinet is no interference in the elec-
tons OF a sovereign State-noae whatever:
but high, worthy, .judicious exercise oil
the influence of their positions, for the pur-
pose OF bringing together the discordaat Ell
ements OF the Democratic party-lcr the
purpose of harmonizing those who ought
to be friends, and bringing about a COM
mpnity OF action among them.
was rematking that the two diys ons
of the New York Democracy were now
united upon this great question Of Free
Soil-upoa the great question of slavery.
They are umted-.hry are bound by the
force OF a great moral neccsslty-to act to-
gether upon the subject of slavery and,
however much the President NAV have
suffered from disappointment or anxiety
In the efforts he has made in bringing a
bout harmony aud cancellation, he may
have comfort in the reflection, that upon
the Nebraska bill these gentlemen must
come together in opinion and that they
will be found voting together spon its
final passage. That they have got to do
and that they will do. That will be the
test of their Democracy that will show
: that professions are not assumed for the
sake of Offices aud their own private in
terests.
Mr.. Chairman, having presented these
views upon this point. let me turn now 70
another branch Of the subject. was re-
marking, when | was interrupted by the
gentleman from New York, that the lIards
do not believe that these newcomers are
entitled to be considered on terms Of per-
feet equality with them. Why, the Hards
would not drive them from all countenance
on the part Of the powers that be, No,
surely not. But they claim that these
Softs have no right to come up side by side
with them in the ranks, and cla n a fair
and just share OF the patronage and hon
ors of the country. The hards are not
singular in this complaint. We frequent
~ see gentlemen who come suddenly into
the Democratic ranks aspire at once to a
high command, without any term Of pro-
baton whatever; and others might COM
plain as the New York Hard, complain,
il it were matter worthy of consideration.
But. Mr.. Chairman, we have our prin-
.ciples to vindieate. We have our duties
TO perform, and they command Us 10 stand
by those who are clothed with the pow
-cr Of administering this Government Sc
Gong as they maintain the true course oi
Democratic policy. Now, say to this
committee, that though there is great
difference Of opinion in reference to the
New York affair throughout the esuntry
though there is some complaint that hi,
Administration patronizes new men toe
nnrh hui, ! l. Al,
worthy OF consideration, get it pursues tllt
course Of genuine Democratic policy, sucl
as will commend itself 10 the heart,
and convictions OF the coaatry. An,
shall we, shall this committee shall III,
country, stand by this Administration il
abe performance Of its great duty Tia
is the question, and every Democrat has IL
answer it TO his constituents. Shah un.
worthy dissatisfacti on about tribes aiitc
their allegiance to the high behtsts of par
ty duty? Shall they break down this Ad
minis,ration in It's carear of usefulnes,
under the influence Of griets and dlssats
factions which are not worthy Of seriou
consideration 1t is objected--exteasive
ly objected, know-tllat this Admiii>tra
aion has called aIou nd il advisers not az
csWAble to the country. 1t has been tn
proud privilege Of every President to Sc
iect his own Cabinet. President Pierre
has selected his Cabinet, and the Senat
have approved Of his selection; and Al
though it is said that there is a gener;
dissatisfaction as to one single member
II, yet, in the man, there exists heart
and cordial willingness to sustain the Pre-,
ident and his advisers.
The gentleman from New York nndel
took very ungenerously to say that tn
question between the different factions
that great State was one of spois. | al
pea. to them and to the whole Demoerac
Of the country, and demand of them b
ihei, allegiance to Democratic principles /
abandon tn unworthy strife, and yied
determined AM hearty support to Demt
cratic policy. What is that policy 1t
10 policy which iavol,'es strict adherene
ito the Constitution, and y strict econom
to the public expenditures. II the eoul
try could only know what contrast ther
is between the past and presen, Admin.
,.tration in these regards, how spe sulatio
.sand,p plumber then ran riot through all II til
]. Dtpartmt nts OF the Government aud h>N