The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-24
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE NATIONAL ERA.
The Democracy of Acknowledgements Facts

To the Editor of the National Era:
Ever since the result of the last State cleo
ton became known, the Democratic party of
this State has been in sore travail. The whirl-
wind OF Know Nothingism, that swept over the
State, carried with it most of the Southern
men who, up till that time, had acted with the
Democrats. The Wings, whether from the
North or the South, having no place else to go,
and willing to go anywhere to oppose the Dem.
ocrats, naturally enough fell in with them. The
consequence was, sad defeat TO the Democra-
cy. The party had frequently before had evil
dence of the treachery of the Southern wing,
but it was not until now that their ewes were
fully opened. The Wings, too, discovered, when
too late, that the promised reform meant moth
lug more than to strengthen the Pro-Slavery
interest. Many of them abandoned the Coun.
ellis, and left them entirely in the hands of the
chlvalry. With them it became a question
whether they would organize a Republican
party, or endeavor to Undue the Democracy
with the spirit, and cooperate with them. The
Democrats became strongly Anti Nebraska, de.
nounced Pierce openly, and resolved to make
the issue. A State Convention was the proper
authority to take SO important step, and some
OF our prominent Democrats determined it
should be done. If the few Union-savers who
still cling to the party should bolt, the majority
well knew that their places would be more than
supplied by those who now stood aloof from all
organizations. The Senatorial election had
been defeated, and it was hoped put at rest for
this session, when the Convention assembled.
But such was not the fact. 1t was held in abey-
ance, to either control the action of the Con-
vention, or punish the spirit of Freedom if it
should dare to show itself in that body. There
were two or three Chivalry Democrats in the
Senate, whose votes had defeated aud could
yet bring on, a Senatorial election. These
threatened to use their power for that purpose,
If the State Convention refused to endorse
Pierce and his Administration. Had they been
allowed to do so, not one only, but two South
ern Know Nothings would have been elected
to the United States Senate. Thus the North
ern Democrats were forced, under this threat
to abandon their high resolves, swallow Pierce
his Nebraska bill and special message, and de-
nounce the majority in Congress for not SUBJ
hitting to the minority. Such is ever the effect,
when principle is made to yield to policy.
In the plenitude of their condescension, the
chivalry permitted the Convention to instruct
its delegates to vote for Buchanan, but took
good care to send men who will not obey their
instructions in good faith. They may vote for
Buchanan few times, having understood be-
torehand that their votes shall not secure his
nomination. Having done this, they will then
vote for whoever the South may dictate. AL
ready the rival Democratic papers in San Fran
cisco are striving which shall humble itself the
most to gain the favor of the propagandsts
Both maintain that the delegates, though in
structed, must be untrammelled. Had the Con.
vention not met till after the adjournmen. of
the Legislature, l feel persuaded the result
would have been very different. But it is too
late now to remedy the evil Nothing can now
be hoped for from the Democratic party, as
such, though there are thousands belonging to
the party who will never so far debase them
selves as to support it in its subserviency to the
Slave Power. So far as the Presidential cleo
ton is concerned, there is, in fact no difference
between the Democrats and Know Nothings.
The cry about Americans ruling America was
but q humbug at the first, and of that we hear
nothing now. The one idea of Matchmaking
Slavery, absorbs every other.
Seeing nothing to hope from either of the
existing parties, the Republicans are taking
measures to organize an Independent party.
But what can we now do, in so short a time
Without leaders and without presses, it seems
almost in vain to make the attempt. There is
no man, of any prominence as a politician, who
would dare to take an open stand in favor of
such an organization; and yet no man doubts
but that large majority of the voters of Cali
fornia sympathze with the Republican party
Had we but half dozen papers, and few ora
tors to take the stump, doubt not but the
electoral vote of the State might be given for
Republican candidates. Be the result what it
may, an effort aCW be made to organize Re-
publican party.