The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-17
MR. DOUGLAS, THE ADMINISTRATION AND
THE SOUTH.

The position OF Mr.. Douglas in relation to the
Administration and the South, is the subject of
much comment. In his speech last week, be
was at pains to show that, as to the general
principles of the Presidents message concern
ing the Kansas Question, there was no differ
ence between him and the Executive that it
contained indeed a foreible argument in favor
of submitting the Constitution formed at Lee
compton to the popular vote. But, at this
point commenced the difference. The Presi-
dent, willing TO overlook the departure from
this policy, on the ground that the main ques-
ton in controversy had been submitted by the
Convention, was in favor Of accepting the Con-
stitution. Mr.. Douglas dissented from this, and
was pleased to remark that, although the Presi-
dent had waived his objections TO the action of
the Convention, still, he did not recommend
their work to the adoption of Congress, but
simply submitted 1t, with an expression of lis
opinion.
In terms, this was a correct statement of the
cAse pCt IN Invi; tIic PUrrSy uIoErg the
Lecompton Convention and accepting its Con.
stitutioD, is an Administration measure. Nay,
it is the Administration measure, for there is
no other to which it is committed, which seems
to have Gny prominence or to excite any in
teres.. Had there been doubt on this point.
the prompt advocacy By Mr.. Big!er of the Le-
compton Constitution, he deep displeasure
evinced by Messrs. Davis, Mason, and Brown;
al the course o.! Mr.. Douglas, and the assump-
ton throughout The debate following his speech,
that the Administration was committed to
the support of the Constitution, mast have dis:
PEELED il.
Mr.. Douglas is therefore openly arrayed
against this leading Administration measure I;
and, we assume, that neither he nor the Presi.
dent will give way. For the present, and so
long as the question of recognising or rejecting
the Lecotnpton Constitution shall be the issue,
they must stand opposed to each other. Mr..
Buchanan will command the entire Democratic
vote of the South, probably a portion of its
Native American vote, and, so far as we are in
formed, majority of the Democratic members
from the free States. Mr.. Douglas will be sus-
tanned by the entire Republican vote, a portion
OF the Democratic vote from the North, and
probably a few of the Native American votes
from the South. We speak of the Senate.
Were Mr.. Douglas an ordinary man, did he
occupy an ordinary position, such antagonism
to the leading measure of an Administration
of which he is a prominent supporter, would ex.
clude him from the Party, and subject him to
its prescription. Bat, he is q remarkable man.
and occupies an extraordinary position, so that
it is as difficult TO foresee the party relations he
is to hold, as it is difficult for the Party itself
to define them. Democratic Senators from the
South msy be indignant-Democratic Senators
from the North mag be reserved-the Admin
istrstion may be opposed to show its recent
ment-but, to excommunicate Mr.. Douglas, and
repudiate all fellowship with him, is a very diff
ferent thing. This has not get been done The
Democratic caucus in the Senate, which deter
mines the composition of the Committees, has
again placed hiEg at the head of the Territorial
Committee, fact proving that he is still recog.
missed as q leader" Of the Party
How long sgcR an anomalous state of things
can exist, it is impossible to predict. 1t is easier
to see why it is. The eo-called Democracy OF
the free States is necessary to the South to
which it brought victory in the late Presidential
struggle, and which can control the Federal
Executive only through its alliance But, Mr.
Douglas IS necessary to that Democracy. De-
stroy him, as political man, and the hold of the
South on the Northern Democracy, as it Is
called, is severed. Administration patronage
may be potential with its recipients-nem
bers of Congress, deputy postmssters, collect.
orr, advertising rewspapers-but, to secure
the masses, a man of the People is required
and Mr.. Douglas is the man of the Democratic
masses. There is DO other. The political race
of Csss is nearly run. Marcy Is gathered to his
fathers. Bright has no mastery, even in HE
own Safe. Douglas alone in his Party has
National position and power-all the attributes
and advantages of Party leader. The Kansas
Nebraska bill could never have paEsed Congress
but FIR him, and out for him the democratic +"
Party in the Free States could never have stood
nader its burden. If driven into the ranks OF
the Republicans, o. if forced into retirement by
exclusion from his Party, the South will be
left unsupported in the Presidential contest OF
1860.
The Extremists, or fre-eaters," as they are
calle1, understand 81 this perfectly well, and
are in favor of driving matters to extremes
for this Northern alliance with the Democratic
Party, they hold, only delays the bene6cent and
necessary measure of disunion. The Buchanan