The daily union., 1856-01-15
A REVIEW OF THE PAST POLICY OF THE oPPosI-

iourned for dinner, at o'clock.
A REVIEW OF THE PAST POLICY OF THE oPP0SI-
TION, AND A WORD OF THE FUTURE.
The bitter lesson being taught to the people of the
United States by the majority in the House of Representa-
tvesa majority agreeing upon principle and divided
upon menwith all the painful associations suggested by
the disoganzaton which may we'll be regarded as an ex
ample to future factions and the plausible proofor the
enemies ofee institutions in other lands that mans capacity
for segoyernnent is shallow fblehs bitter lesson Is
not only the result of the recent reorganization of oppose
on politics. but is the key which must open the door TO
long train Of national disasters unless they shall be avert
ed by the firm, strong haad of wholesome public opinion
One fact has been disclosed in the movements OF
parties for the twenty years. and it is this that how
may be thrown together by Of antago-
nism another organization and however they may attain
power by the instinct which mpels them to union for
the sake of success; yet if they not disciplined
and harmonized by enduring and righteous con-
sciousness of duty and Of doctrine they never can
administer the government whether national, State,
or municipal. so indubtable is this truth that there
is no exception to be found to it in the long range of
observation by the widespread confusion and corruption
which pervade the ranks Of the lately victorious enemies
of the democratic party Here the capital of the
try, that opposition presents to eyes spectacle not
only in ITSELF but calculated to inspire the deep
socitudc and shame 1t is the fate which has here
tofore attended, which now attends and which will
hereafter attend every popular grounded upon
that gnobe element of human character which contents
itself with finding fault with neighbor, and with cu-
waiting animosty instead Of friendship; it is this fate
which, like avenging Nemesis at last scatters all those
organizations grounded deep in fidelity the cons
tuition however their temporary triumph may disturb the
country
What is the instructive example furnished in the admon
itoy pages that preserve the records of past expert
ence2 When, in ls4o the democratic party, after
than years of frugal honest and fearless admnsra
ton of the general government oyeborne by fusion
Of fanateisms and of hatreds, enemies proclaimed
that they had no principles for the public eye The
grave issues presented to the then opposition candidate for
the presidency eyaded and in order to avoid
ing them, he appointed confidential committee which
made the following authoritative declaration in his
That policy s7 they said athat tho General Harrson
made no further declaration Of his principles for he public
eye ohs occupying his present position The committee
strengthened in regard to the proprey of this policy
alton that the National Convention deemed it mpolitic at
the then crisis to publish any general declaration of the
views Of the great opposition party and certainly the poll
icy at the present remains unsltsrod In the time
cannot help expressing tho hope that friends every
where viii receive the nomination Of General Harrison
with something akin to generous confidence
In this instance at the present day, 1t not upon
any great of science that the
conducted By the opposition. 1t was singly and
alone upon the bond Of animosty which called and
kept together of adverse doctrines for the purpose
of overthrowing the democratic party. Carrying out
this blind policy they selected candidate for the
vice presidency Virginia gentleman who agreed with
them alone the result proved upon the idea Of op
posing the democratic party, The result is matter of
history. The democracy went into the canvass with
colors flying. Everywhere they avowed their opinions
The same devotion to the constitution which inspired
them In the North animated them In the South. The
democrat who spoke to his countrymen in the White
mountains OF the East rc-echoed by his felowdem-
ocrat who addressed his counrymen the borders Of
the Mississippi They concealed nothing for they had
nothing be ashsmed Of They ayowed everything for
their doctrines such made them proud They we're
defeated but when the victors came into power, they
soon became the victims Death is true stepped in to
the honored chean who had been elevated the
presidency bat the seeds Of dissolution had been sown
deep the bosom OF the party which carried him into the
presidential chair. Had be survived there can be no
doubt that the bold but unfortunate leadership Of the
gallant and chvarous Clay and the vigorous In
sugurated during the celebrated hundred days. or
the extra session. would have averted the fate which
changed the lately triumphant party into bowling desc
laon The bankrupt law filed the land with discomfort
and dismay, and repealed BY the Same Congress
which enacted it. The fscabank project was noby We
toed by the Vice President who became the Executive
upon the death Of the President and whose real pruc
plies in the election had been postponed and overlooked
In that election all frankness thrown aside and all
opinions but desire for power forgotten hence the ndg
nation unexpected legislation the hand and
an unexpected reo the other
The rest is history, too. The misguided masses were
speedily dscnchanted and at the presidential election
when secret manmuvres and silent candidates were set
aside for maner game the gallant leader the life
and soul Of the whig psrtythe knight Of modern poll
ticans, beloved by his friends respected by hi, focsa
ways devoted national interests and in the midst Of his
parsanshp fed with generous and patriotic impulses
he Henry Clay could not the terrible revou
ton which rejected and rebpked his party and placed the
reins Of power in the hands Of the democracy
What followed In s4s only -four years after this the
democracy, by its consistency and s courage bad re-
aroused the undying preudces passions Of the oppo
sition The annexation Of Texas the war with Mexico
the tariff Of 1896 the independent treasurytbssc cnnr