The Empire County argus., 1854-03-18
9'Watchman. tell us of the night,

points of the contestthe position of the forces and
the actual advantages derived by or lost to the
sending parties. 1t is unnecessary do this to 90
oack to the history of former Legislatures or to open
afresh the grievances which may have corroded in
the minds of some who were disappointed in their
aspirations for place and prefermcnt Our present
purpose is merely to give plain review Of transpi-
ring events.
Every one, we presume, is aware Of the fierce
struggle encountered by the Democracy of this State
last fall; and thatthc victory, although triumphant,
was achieved by strict adherence to party disci-
pline and party tactics. No one can doubt that the
result was owing mainly to the superior tactics of
the Democratic party, in separating party issues
from private personal aims.
1t must also be remembered, that in this State
there is clan of politicians, active energetic, willy
and shrewd strategists who have managed to exert
controlling influence over the legislation of the State
and to infuse portion of their views into the DO
itical atmosphere. So tyrannical had this element
become that it attempted to dictate the line of policy
to be pursued by the Democratic party-to control
and use its influence to further aims diseputable
to the State and party 1t had become evident,
prior to the last State Convention that to sustain
the party, this element would have to be purged
from it; hence the adoption Of the Bonicia platform
The details of the campaign are too familiar to need
recaptulation.
Prior to the meeting Of the Legislature, it was
found, on count that there was majority Of both
Houses, opposed to the Constitutional Convention
until the Constitution was SO amended as to submit
the result Of such Convention to the people for their
decision. Ever bent on doing mischief believing
they could accomplish their darling object by keep
ing the Senatorial question open during another
political campaign, they set themselves vigorously
at work to manufacture public opinion against its
being decided this session. In most if not in all
the countless outside pressure was brought to bear
on the Members elect to induce them to use their
voice and influence to stave off the election In the
event of compliance political preerment was to be
the reward. On the contrary, those who would not
lend themselves to this plot was to be politically
ostracsed and their friends if they We're so unfor-
tunate to possess any were to share the same fate
Shortly after The commencement of the present
Legislative session--beforo the Members had time
to compare views and become acquainted with each
other, a bill was introduced into the Senate fixing
the Session Of 1856 Shortly after, bill Of the
same import was introduced into the Assembly.
AT this crisis, majority OF the Democratic party
in the Legislature agreed to 60 into caucus to decide
the proprety of bringing on the election this session.
pledgng themselves to abide its decision They in
vited their brethren of the minority to meet them
In council, which was declined. Finding themselves
arrayed against the well defined landmarks of the
party, its usages and principles, the minority made
overtures to the whig party for "ad and comfort >
which, as that party had nothing to loose, were ac
eeded to. The struggle came on. The coalition
were defeated In the Assembly In the Senate, they
strangled their bantling, as we'll as killed the AS
semby bill fixing the time to elect on the 20th inst
This leaves the question in the same position as at
The commencement Of the session, apparently.
To scrutnze the position of he parties IN the Lo-
gisature, we find the Democratic party in favor Of
electing u s. Senator this winter thereby uniting
and harmonzing the various interests of the party
on the other hand we find the Divsioniste, and the
advocates of the Cooley system arrayod under y hig
banners, fighting shoulder to shoulder under WMg
leaders, and against the principles they have hth-
to professed to love.
IL may De SAID that many in the mountain coun-
ties oppose the Senatorial election this winter, and
that too, from pure motives. This we will grant.
There are some who honest in their opposition
but they are not the politcian-the hanger-on for
place-the recipient Of custom house fayors nor
those who are striving to degrade honest and hon
orable labor. Far from it. Such men care not for
principle, so long as their own purposes are sub
served. The intriguers are being fused into the
Wing party; acting with them, and striking
palms with them to shatter and distract the De-
mocracy.
The inevitable destiny which follows those who
strive to divide the party and place our hereditary
political opponents in power, awaits those who are
palsying Democratic action and it matters little
whether those persons fill places in the custom
house been elected to a county office, or are the
anxious longers after place and preferment, the
voice of the true democracy will eventually force
them into their true poston-tEe ranks of the Whig
party.