Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-23
DEFINING POSITIONS.

Among the necessities of modern politicians no
one stands out more prominently than that of being
obliged once year at least to "dedne positions.
In the South, among the genuine Democracy, it is
only necessary to refer in general terms to the i'm
mortal resolutions of 179S-99; or, if something
:, little fresher is wanted for the rising generation
fhey need but 90 back to the Baltimore Platforms Of
1914, 1913, and 1852; and by subscribing to these
the faithful are recognised and known from Penob-
scot to Kansas But in the North most perplex-
aug discrepancies have crept into the creeds. The
g .Softs' have their own definitions, and so have
Che " Hards," each denouncng the heresies Of the
other and claiming to be the real Simon Pure"
We have already given our readers some insight
into the mysteries of New York politics. The Al
bany Argus" furnishes something further for the
general enlightenment. 1t details few of the
sriefs which have within the past year oppressed
The =" National Democrats" but these We need not
transcrbe our sole purpose being to let each branch
make itself fairly understood The Argus of the
18th says: "@... ...g.
GIVE beg that those of friends in other States who
have been disposed look calmly upon this state of
things will undertake the trouble Of examining the
relative positions of the National Democracy and the
Preesoil Administration party of New York. They will
see in the former thoroughly united and homogeneous
body of voters strong in the recttude OF their cause,
in action and devoted without exception
reservation the support of the principles they have
ever ayowed through good and through evil repute"
The same paper presents in brief contrast the
position of each wing of the party 1t lnvokes
,a1blic attention in this wise:
.sThe most needless observer cannot fail to remark
that the exclusive friends Of the Administration in this
State occupy position only rendered the more doubtful
by the recent attempts Of their State Convention to define
It that their language upon the question of Territorial
sovereignty recantaton of their Wlmot provso de-
claraons in former years; that it gives guarantee OF
an attachment to fundamental principles that
the words of often quoted remark, it proers no
indemnity for the past and assures ofno indemnity
IN the future He cannot fail to note the admissions of
the leading supporters Of the custohouse ticket put in
nomination Syracuse, that the Convention COM
gelled into even this halfway and unsatisfactory
orsement of views held sacred by true Democrats every
where that it was debauched forced into the little
Of praiseworhy doctrine it avowed If he will not see
these things or is incapable of measuring them and
deciding upon them, then is he hopeessly blind and BIZ
yoted. &." II. w.. w."
In the coming campaign the members Of the regular
National Democratic organization in this State ask no
SAVIOR from any quarter. The opportunity they have
sought vncate themselves their principles and their
candidates is at hand. The Democratic State ticket has
adversares fear but those of the Wing party The
Administration faction, with its customhouse ticket must
sank the question in the calculation of successful
candidates" ....'."
Here is confession, from quarter which ought
to know that there is yet vitality in the Wing
party of New York, and that it is expected to give
little trouble to somebody about the first week in
November