The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-11-19
The Democratic Party.

Nothing but the subservency OF the demo-
cratic party to the interests Of the South has
kept it from dsintegration any time during
the last ten years. Sectionalism, under the
name OF nationaiism, has been the Wanted
fundamental principle of the party, and while
the South has pushed forward its schemes, the
mercenary North, seeing that it was the only
way by which Office could be secured, has
yielded all the counenance and assistance TO
those schemes which their accomplishment
demanded. That this thing can go on forever
is impossible; that it is approaching its end,
the signs of the times very plainly Indicate
Kansas appears to be the rock upon which the
party must split and it would seem impossible
to avoid it. 1t ia too directly in the path of
the party, and the momentum Of its progress
is too great to allow it to tack in time.
Gov. Walker, in his very just policy OF
throwing ont the Oxford returns, is either to
be supported or CONDEMNED by the admins
tration, the, by the Senate, yet to act upon his
appointment. 1t makes, however, little diff
ference which. The South will demand his re-
moval. There are enough in the so nth who
do not, at heart, care whether the democratic
party live or die, to keep up the excitement,
and whether the President or Senate decide
the question. the responsibility will inevitably
come upon the party. When this question
comes before the Senate, as it must come if
Gov. Walker be not previously removed, it
can hardly be decided upon technical grounds
The case is plain. Gov Walker had promis-
ed the people OF Kansas a fair chance in the
election. For this he had not been repriman-
ded by the administration. In order to fulfil
his promise. he was obliged TO take cogni-
zance of frauds. and he did so. The result
has given the legislature to the free state
men, to whom it belonged. A case so plain as
this connot be winked out of sight. and we do
not believe that the North will allow the pro-
scription of man who has simply done his
duty. If Gov. Walker be sustained, the South
will bol'; if he be not sustained, no Nothern
Senator who votes against him can stand be-
fore the people, and there will be such bolt
from the democratic party of the North as
will leave the South helpless.
Again, the new constitution of Kansas is an
other rock that looms in the path of the party.
Ifthst be submitted to the people of Kansas
the South will bolt for it has already declared
itsefupon the point. fit bear clause legal
ling slavery, aai is not submitted to the peo-
pie. but goes to Washington side by ride with
a free state deles ate, aad thus the fraud of its
manufacture is made patent to the whole com.
try. it caunot be endorsed and the new state
admitted without such a combination in the
North as will annihlate the Northern wing of
the party. There is rot free state 50 debased
ceeding. In fact, we see no way by which the
Affairs in Kansas can be settled without pro-
ducing rupture of the party. There is no
chance for compromise. The state is TO be
admitted. 1t Is to be admitted as a slave state
or free state. 1t is to be admitted under the
auspices of the democratic party. and with the
responsibility OF that party. IL admitted as
free state, IT will be done against The protest
and the determined opposition of the whole
South; il as a slave state, the imposition is so
gross and so wicked that the North will not
abide it. Party drill ispoweiful, but it caL-
not stand this. ~ o. .-
The fact bodies no good to the country
The South, by their course, declare that The
next national contest shall be sectional. We
do not shrink from the issue. and yet we wou'd
| avoid it, if it coai be done with honor. The
result, however, will be apparent soon enough
The democratic party is destined to become
| as sectional in its geography as in its policy,
and the only organization which can have a
shadow of national character will be the
republican. Oae victory for free labor will
give Missouri, in her noble position, plenty of
| company, and the party of freedom, SO long
Sighting for existence and for the right against
fearful odds, will and must become agg res slye.
and there can be no national rally against it,
until the whole aspect Of political! aflrs shall
have underground change.