Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-24
DAILY NATIONAL ERA.


supports them, it su,tains their acts and must
be held responsible for them. Now, what
Democratic measure have they initiated? In
what respect have hey signalized their devo-
tion to real Democracy?
The most prominent act in their condust Of
our foreign relation 10 the negotiation of the
Gadsden Treaty, Which coolly proposes to take
twenty millions outof the Public Treasury, to
pay for new Territory to be appropriated to
slave labor, for d railway route to the Pacific
favored by Southern Nullifers, and for certain
private clainf involving, it is apprehended,
about as much corruption as the notorious
Gardiner CLAIM. This is their only achievement
in diplomacy aand how beautifully it illustrates
the careful economy, the horror of corruption,
and the regkd for popular sovereignty, 50
characteristidof true Democracy
And what have they done in domestic mat
tiers More than year was devoted to the
dispensation " patronage, with the paramount
view Of STRENGTHENING the Administration, not
of having thepublic business well done.
The next signal performance was the inter-
ference, through Executive mandate and pat
ronage, withthe local politics Of the sovereign
State Of Massachusetts, for the purpose Of pre-
venting any cooperation between Administra-
ton men and Independent Democrats, in the
works Of State reform. The result was, the
defeat Of Democratic Constitution, and the
restoration of the Wings to power; for which,
we suppose, the Democracy Of the country owes
debt Of gratitude to Franklin Pierce and his
associates.
Their next Democratic act was on attempt
to propiiate the Slave Power, (which had been
disturbed by their preferring the Softs to the
Hards,) by avowing their purpose to acrnsh
out D the spirit Of Free Soil, and by making
parade in newspapers Of their zeal in enforcing
the Fugitive Slave Law, and of their determi-
nation to expend literally of the Peoples money
in defence of those who might be arragned for
illegal conduct in it's execution.
Then followed the masterpiece Of their De-
mocracy-the Bill to repeal the Missouri Com
PROMISE which the People had not asked for;
for the purpose of throwing Nebraska open to
Slavery, which nobody desired but the Slave
holders; to be FASTENED through Congress I'M
der whip and spur, before the sovereign People
could have an opportunity to express any opin-
ion in regard to it. In fact this abominable
measure, involving violation Of good faith, a
fraud upon the FREQ States, sacrifice Of the
interests of twenty millions of free people to the
grasping ambition Of a small class Of Slavehold-
ers, and the establishments of Principle which
would break down every safeguard against Sla-
very in Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota,
secure fearful ascendency to the Slave Power,
and embolden it in itsschemes of aggre sion on
our Southern and Southwestern border, is the
great measure Of the Administration, and Of
the Party sustaining it. And yet they have
the hardihood TO assume the title Of Democra-
cy AS well might Nicholas and his Cossacks
style themselves Democrats!
What else hsve they done! Where is their
free trade tariff When have they recon-
msnd~3 sssdaoslon exploitation Of the tax on
sugar, . burden borne W ths thiilioas Cor the
benefit Of the hundreds What have they
done Cor that Dsmocratic measure, the Home
stead Bill We have heard of patronage used
freely, unscrupulously, to secure the passage Of
the Nebraska Bill, but not even of one word
spoken in favor Of the Homestead.
Last, though not least prominent member
of the House, warm supporter OF the Admin
istration and Of the repeal OF the Missouri
Compromise, acting in concert with the Gen.
eral Post Office Department, the head of which
il a member Of the Cabinet, brings forward a
Bill to raise the taxes on the Peoples letters
and newspapers, 80 that the Department may
be able 10 meet expenses, not incurred in their
transmission, but in carrying franked docu-
ments for members Of Congress, and support.
ing steam company monopolies, without call
ing for help ON Treasury with surplus OF
twenty five millions Of dollars
The acts Of the Administration stamp its
character, as Pro-Slavery and Anti Democratic.
The party that sustains and adheres to it has
no claim to the title, Democratic. II is pitt
able spectacle presented now by the organza-
ton which delights TO call itself the Democ-
racy-shrinking from assuming the response
biHty Of the repeal Of the Missouri Compro
mise and yet clarifying the Administration
that makes that repeal its great measure
Prating Of free trade, progress, strict construc-
ton, and popular sovereignty, and yet clinging
to an Administration whose whole career has
shown an utter contempt for all these Demo.
cratic ideas.
A prominent political paper in New York
State, which supported the Buffalo Platform
and Martin Van Buren, in is4s, and is nov
constrained by the force Of public opinion t.
oppose the Nebraska Bill, devotes nearly q
column to the praise of the Washington Union
and the Administration Of which it is tho
mouth-piece. II characterizes both as being
sound in the Democratic faith, consecratcd t.
the promulgaiion and establishment of Demo
cratic principles It thinks they have boil