Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-22
THE RECENT COALITIONS.

THE RECENT COALITIONS.
Perhaps the highest compliment even if ii
be a left-handed one, that has ever been paid to
the Democratic party has been given in the
Fusion movements of the recent elections.
Every faction, which, like the pestilence that
"walketh in darkness and which unblush-
ingly shows its hideous front to the light
of day, united in the attempt to PROSTATE the
Democratic party. Everyelement of the q Flu
SION regarded the Democracy as its natural
and spontaneous foe, and common cause was
made against it. Ingredients that had no
aiHnities, acid and alkali, reposed quietly with
out kissing in foam in the same cup. Every
constituent ofthe Fusion well knew that no vic
tory, now or hereafter, would crown its efforts
SO long as the Democracy maintained its SUI
premacy. The great party which, from its be-
ginning, had set its resolute and determined
face against the foes of the Constitution, which
had firmly upheld its peculiar opinions in the
midst of every clamor, and which in time had
seen all its great measures become the policy
of the country, and its men the rulers of her
destiny, had first to be Frustrated before any OF
the factions could hope for success 1t was
immaterial whether there were any political
aHinities or not between Abolitionism, Know
nothingism, and Whiggery, in Michigan, Indi
ana, and Illinois.
Fusion only knew that there was great
party in each Of these States, which boldly of
hot al IL
element well knew that that great party was
stronger than ITSELF and therefore they united
TO test whether it was more powerful than the
aggregate of their forces. The very combine
ton is itself confession that there is but one
great political party lifting itself proudly before
the country, like a noble monument, while all
others are mere fragments. Fusion has also
paid the Democracy a compliment in saying
that now there are no issues between the Wing
and the Democratic parties, which is only an
other phraseology for asserting that the Wing
measures have been beaten down and repudi
ated, whilst those Of the Democratic party have
been adopted. But the conclusion which Flu
sion deduces from that fact, to wit that the
party which has so successfully maintained it,
self and inaugurated national policy, should
have the reins of rule taken from its hands and
transferred TO new men and untried parties, is
the most palpable non sequitr. II this great
party has approved itself-if under its rule our
beloved country has become prosperous and
happy-if it has made its very name glorious
in the world why, then, rashly risk the
chances of a new organization? The Demo
cratic party has ever proved itself equal to any
new emergency. 1t has governed wisely and
well in the difficult period Of expansion and
growth, and the same craftsmanship which
struck out the path Of safely in those trying
times is sagacious enough for any new condi-
tons.
Temporary defeats may come-perhaps in
teaching us some of the uses Of adversely and
winnowing the chaf from the wheat they may
be useful But they can be only temporary.
No coalition can be continuously successful
against us Never was wiser political maxim
uttered, than that spoken by Judge Douglas in
his late Chicago speech: at is an invariable
law Of political action, that coalitions, when
once successful, cannot hold together, in the
next succeeding campaign. Hostile factions,
like allied armies, may act in concert in the
face Of common foe but they fall to pieces
over the responsibility and spoils Of victory
This is a Democratic country, and Democratic
measures viii prevail. God never intended
that this great country, so signally marked by
his kindness and favor, should be the home Of
intolerance or injustice. His consecrating
hand has been laid upon its fair and beautiful
head, and he will uphold it. IL defeated, il
will only be our duty TO battle the more earn
cstly for success, well assured that our princi-
pies are those Of truth and justice, and that
they will receive the sanction Of welljudging
people.