Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-10
WASHINGTON, D. C.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1854.



Never was the power Of the Anti-Slavery
Sentiment, as an element in the politics Of this
country, SO formidable as in l84S, when the
Radical Democracy Of New York State avowed
their purpose to divorce the Government Of the
United States from Slavery and place il act-
lively on the side Of Liberty, and evinced the
strength Of their purpose by defeating the
Presidential candidate Of the National Party
with which they had been accustomed to act,
on the ground that practically his position was
favorable to the extension Of Slavery. II is not
too much to say, that to this demonstration,
chiefly, Oregon was indebted for the establish
ment Of Territorial Government, excluding
Slavery from its limits, and California for the
Anti Slavery Constitution it now enjoys
Their position was lofty one, recurring to
them, in our Judgment the power to decide the
conflict between Freedom and the Slave Inter
est, by setting bounds to the latter, and restor-
ing to the former its original influence in the
Government with the certain prospect of the
speedy decsdenoe Of Slavery. Bearing legiti-
mstely the popular name, Democracy poe
se@ing the Democratic organization and lead
ership Of the State casting majority Of the
Democratic vote, and commanding the sympa-
thies Of many Of the minority, as well az Of the
Wing Party -invigorated by the absorption Of
the distinctively Anti Slavery Party-repre-
senting the real views Of majority Of the
People Of the free States-with leader of
eminent position and capacities NV had they
stood firm, had they consistently and energeti-
osily pressed the application Of their doctrines,
they would have become the nucleus Of real
Democratic Party, informed and controlled in
all it, policy BY tho Democratic Principle,
which would soon have arrgyed the political
power Of the free States on the side Of Free
dom, and enlisted the 90 operation Of men OF
concurrent views in the slave States. Tho face
Of the political world would have been chan
ged Old organizations, which have outlived the
issues which gave them birth, would have
crumbled away. There would have been an
end to compromise, evasion, doubIe-dealing,
and fraud. The tribe of Northern Services,
whose pusillanimity and grovelling ambition
have 30 long disgraced the North and debauch-
ed its politics, would have gradually be-
come extinct Consistent devotion to the doc
frines of our Declaration of Independence
would have ceased to be an opprobrium, and
the man OF honor, truth, and courage, would
not have been denied political prefsrment on
account Of his adherence Of Oppression.
In an evil hour they descended from their
high position, and threw away power which
no Party had ever before possessed They
betrayed the faith reposed in them by the
Anti-Slavery men, they violated their solemn
pledges. and stopped to reunion with Party
controlled by that tyrsnt Interest, from whose
grasp they had avowed thsir purpose to rescue
the Federal Government The prospect Of
temporary g lin outwcighed all calculations Of
the immense good to be secured by enduring
devotion to Principle.
Their descent was gradual step by step
they surrendered their ground. At first, a cold
se-sfkrnstion Of their principles yelled the in
cipient apcstacy-next even this was omit
ted-then, resolutions were adopted, covert
~ endorsing Legislation and policy, direct
~ at variance with their professions in ls4s--
finally, they settled down, squarely npon the
Baltimore Platforms fiat contradiction Of
every principle and purpose they had formerly
svowed-and became the urfiinching support
ers Of candidate for the Presidency, selected
BY the Slave Interest as pre-emineniIy subser
sient 70 its will, and pledged to the utter and
Anal suppression Of the movement, 10 whose
aims and interests only three years before thew
had solemnly dedicated themselves in the sight
Of God and man.
The principal agent in this work, was Mr..
Marcy, now Secretary Of State, and he found
active conductors in few conspicuous leaders
Of the Radical Democracy Since then he has
been known TO claim, that to him the South Il
ihdebsed more than to any other Northern
man--far had II not been for his exertioua the
Van Buren, organization Of ls4s would have
maintained its existence, gradually absorbed
the strength Of tho old Democratic Party 90
long relied upon by the South, and have risen
TO power not to be withstood BY the Slave
Interest
What were, and what are, the results of this
deplorsble defeotioni The nomination Of the
South was rati6ed--Frsnklin Pierce was made
President BY the Radical Democrats Of New
York--the Slave Power once more re;vned
supreme in the SO called Democratic PARTY,
Twas necessary to reward the men who had
brought about this result. One was made a
Cabinet oficer-another appointed to an Office
Of great trust and profit at home, with the
promise never falflled) Of first class mission
abroad. Subordinate Offices were distributed
among the subordinate actors The Radical
Democracy, once the bold, unoompromisiug
enemies Of the Slave Power, were now tho paid
auziliaries Of an Administration, the mere
creature and minister Of its will Who moro
vehement in professions Of faith in the Balti-
more Platform, than they! Who more en-