The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-09
ADDRESS OF THE NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC ASSO
CITATION OF WASHINGTON ON THE PREsIDEN
TIAI, QUESTION

TlAL
FrLLow-oIrIzEss; The attitude assumed by the political
parties into which the country is divided and the striking
which characterize the times be apology
for addressing you at the present timo
Political parties the natural sentinels 70 watch
public aar 10 scrunize the actions of men, and sound
alarm the approach Of danger Notwithstanding
sonal abuses they useful and necessary they exist in
all countries and will continue until become wise
perfect and harmonious that the subject
of difference Of opinion. They form powerful restraints
upon bad and unwsc measures and contribute to ee-
the good and promote useful purposes While ques-
lions have two sides there win be contesng parties
holding the affirmative and negative upon them Although
occasionally third springs into existence upon
porsry subject and draws support from both it soon
ranges itself with Of those previously existing Some
Of Ahese are fancifu ut and harmless while others
from the mschievous and dangerous principles upon which
they ACT, justly excite alarm
In this country the DEMOCRATIC PARTY existed prior 10
the adoption OF the constitution and has since continued
II has gwen the country seven Presidents II wrought the
great civil revolution which brought Jefferson into DO
aud has safely carried the country through foreign
1t wthstood powerful foe in the combined
money powc. In General Jacksons time II Is now en-,
councring the fearful strife engendered By seconalism
and indpient dsunion At all times and under all cir
cumssnces 1t has stood by the Union declaring that it
"ust be preserved" When environed by pers The most
alarming the Union has found in that party security IL
appropriately distinguished the Union party Its
fidelity TO the constitution and the government organised
under ii has been great Of It's stability The d.
visons which formerly weakened II IN New York and
elsewhere producing occasional defeat now happily
healed and Its whole strength and energies are devoted
to cemenng and perpetuang the Union as the surest
basis of national greatness and the safest
for private happiness Treason the Union can alone
defeat t.
The party competing with the democracy was lonp
distinguished by the appellaton Of whigtn and du-
ring that period led by prominent for elo-
quenoe and talent In It's ranks those Of known
worth and patriotism. mistaken policy originating in
anxiety for success recently precpitated its downfall II
elected two Presidents for their availability and not for
their capacity superior fitness and put forward third
who commanded the of but four States The consd
crate Of the party refused yield support because
not satisfied that his qualifications suitable for the
station Had that party put forth nominations AT to be
made" might have been organized and powerful
II succssaful party. II FRUSTRATED by being con-
roed by the weak and selfish instead Of the wise pa
riodc in iu ranks Upon the ruins OF this once pow
erfu party others have arisen each seeking ascend
epcy BY apparently widely different Both are pow
eress without assistance from the democratic rank. They
alike hostile the democracy and distant day
must openly unite in opposition to It, II union is
being formed in secret
The American party Is based upon the single ide. tina,
Americans only shall govern Amerca'-im plying that
there Is superior and inferior class and that the former
shall govern the latter This their vore spo,beQm su-
thornes the inference that there H. in this country priv
LEGGED class entitled the exclusive franchise OF voting
and alone qualified 10 make erpoupd, and execute the
laws and inferior degraded one paying such aIcs
and bearing such burdens their supeos may choose OF
deem II polite 70 impose Beyond this single point this
party has distinctive features except in those States
where IL has acquired distinction for its religious intoer
No large supcrsucture long stand upon small
From necessity the existence Of this party be
brief Its predecessor in the city Of New York. after short
life died natural and unlamented death II WAS mainly
absorbed by the enemies OF the democracy In the free
States this party rapidly merging ihto and becoming
ost in the Republican" ranks. In Philadelphia New
rork Boston, and other places American conventions
nave gone nearly in body TO the republicans
The American party, upon all questions except ruling
mercap 10 very far from harmonious 1t is imposed Of
heterogeneous materials which have neither natural aim
ty cohesion The single cord that binds them is too
weak to keep them long together Although the Union
non In that party may adhere him, Mr. Fillmore cannot
eceve one electoral in free State As distinctive
organization his party cannot long exist but must
'e resolved into its original elements and its members
gain become integral portions Of Of the great political
'artes into which the country be divided Can
my friend Of democratic principles remain in
organisation having little to recommend IT. and vhoss
'srsl success spy must essentially contribute to pro-