The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-25


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POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
We have never had but two political parties
in this country, though have occasionally
an offshoot from one of them, with peculiar, if
not significant name. From the election Of General
Jackson to the defeat of Fremont, the support
ers of the constitution and friends Of the Union
have borne the name of democrats, while their
adversaries have been distinguished by many
names and an indefinite variety Of ayowed prn-
ciples, all tending however, to the one great
point of opposition to those professea and pracsed
by the democracy When national repubcansm
gave place to whiggery, change Of principles fol
lowed. Republicanism but name for
whiggsm, designed TO mislead and draw to its
support the unsuspecting and unwary democrats
at the North. Know-nothingism occupied the same
ground at the South. Under different names, and
varied professions of political principles both had
the purpose in view-not to accomplish the
downfall of whggcry, but to defeat and destroy the
democracy. Each has labored, but by professedly
different means, to accomplish the same resut-the
overthrow of the democracy wherever they were in
the ascendency. In Maine and New Hampshire their
united influence and exertions Frustrated the democ-
racy. Their combined efforts defeated and crushed
the rising hopes of the democrats in Massachusetts,
In Rhode Island and Connecticut the friends of liberal
principles compelled to yield to the joint and har
monous operations of therepublicans and know-noth-
ings In ermont the common labors fthcse nominay
differing sects have secured and perpetuated the
tendency of her ancient abolitonism. In New York
their outward. professcd differences have not pre-
vented All open and common war upon the democ-
racy, crushing them out between the concerted Sc
crctlodge operations upon the one hand and the
hypocrtcal professions of sympathy for enormities
perperated in Kansas under their advice and pro-
curemen upon the other. In New Jersey and Pennsyl
vana the union and perfect harmony of their exertons
defeated by the open and shameless attitude of
their ncgotiators and not from any want of common
hostility and unity ofparpose to defeat the democracy
The show Of difference in Ohio was merely nominal,
and so shaped as to accomplish the common object
of prostratng the democracy. In Michigan no formal
avowal of professed hostility stood in the way of har
mony and concerted action to defeat the triumph of
democratic principles which had been ascendant there
for twenty years There scarcely the appearance
of difference in Wisconsin, where their united sxer-
tons Frustrated the democracy and tramped them to
the earth. The secret lodges of the know nothings
Il al. IL. Il
monious and loving concert in the overthrow of her
democracy In California there was no real hostility
between these sects In all these States there was
profession of difference between those who
acted against the old-iine democracy when none,
in fact, really existed. In each the republicans
presented bold front, and assumed and avowed an
attitude of hostility towards the fifteen States where
slavery exists. The know-nothings, though harmo-
MIXING with them, were speechless lin public upon
that subject though really wishing them oil success
and playing into their hands.
Entering the slave States, the republicans by name
disappear from the stage and the actors as far as
designated in the play-bills, distinguish them.
selves as know-nothngs, but manifest the same sc.
we're hostility to the democracy displayed in the free
States by their united efforts. Their opposition is
not disguised although the name assumed misleads
as to their true principles of action The entire ba-
sis of action rests upon hostility to the principles of
the democratic party and the object of all included
init organization is to accomplish its defeat II u.s.
in truth the old wing party, with a and decep-
tive name, with deluded converts from the ranks
of their adversares but minus those gallant spirits
who conferred upon whiggery its responsibility, be-