The Placer herald., 1857-06-27
From the S. F. Globe.
The Unity and Prospects Of the Demo-
cratic PARTY.

10 recur 10 tue HrSL principles OI DeiHociaCy
to look at the history of the past and study
attentively its teachings and experience.
Olden records establish the fact that when
ever the party is most prosperous, then is
the greatest danger from division and con-
tention; and when the enemy is at the gate,
then may we even look for union of all
who cherish our principles and advocate our
cause. Ever since the days of Jefferson,
the Democratic party has suffered from
false friends and the introduction of false
principles and tests; but the result has been
that sooner or later, it has cast off the one
and the other and gone on its way to vic
tory and success. Like the old Whig par
ty it has had its trials, and, as cotemporary
Of the Old Dominion we'll remarks, it has
ever been cursed "with ephemeral factions,
who have hung upon the skirts Of both, be-
fore and after battle, in quest of prizes and
spoils. The dark days af Democracy may
be found recorded in the political calendar;
but its poe-star, the Constitution, has never
been hidden from view by the clouds that
have lowered DER our house, and almost at
times eclipsed the glories of the past, the as
prations of the present, and our hopes for
the future. Patriotism may be sacrificed
to sordid-selfinterest; expediency may pre-
dominate over principle; dstrust and fear
may drive the Dulgald Da gettys of Democ-
racy into the range of an opposition impos-
Ing in appearance; but 1t is impossible to
destroy the vitality of a party that is inds-
pensable to the existence of the government,
which has grown with its growth, and
strengthened with its strength, until, like
the ivy-vine on al ancient wall, it is so inter-
twined, that it cannot be torn away without
tearing the wall with it. The old Wing
party wthstood storms and shocks, with an
astonishing tenacity. But, like di apidated
buildings or infrm old trees, it fell at last
from its own feebleness, on calm, still day
when those who sat in its shadow were wist-
fully regarding it with revivng hopes. In
the interval between 80 and 80, like giant
superannuated and worn out with wars and
wounds what was left Of whiggery fell; sol
itarlv, and so softly as barely to break the
stilnes OF that silent hour, which succeeded
the election of Pierce to the Presidency
Since that day the Democratic party has
proved its patriotism, and the power Of its
principles, conciusively, to tens Of thousands
Of those who were once its most preudiced
and apparently implacable enemies"
One Of the great distinguishing features
Of the Democracy has been the nationality
of its principles, which are alike applicable
to all parts Of the Union. 1t was a great
draw back to the old Wing party that meas
ures and doctrines which were advocated bv
its followers at the North were totally un-
suited to the atmosphere of the South
Hence, there often occurred the STANCE ano
maly Of one set Of principles being promul
gated by Wing speakers at the North and
different set 10y those of the South. In
addition to this, the rights Of the several
States were never safe in its keeping. while
with the Democratic party, the most prom
has been an intlexble adherence to the rights
of the sovereign States, and always with
due regard 70 the prerogative assigned to
the general government.
1t would certainly seem, in view of these
and other great principles OF the party, that
there is enough to occupy tie attention OF
those who call themselves democrats and
are entitled to the appelation without en-
gaging in ignoble strife or attempting to ad
vocate the Sc fish aims of men at the expense
of principle.
Our contests should be with the common
enemy, and with those dogmas, which, in
the last election, came near overturninc the
purest and best government known on the
earth; and will again be the raIlying point of
all who seek to undermine the democratic
institutions of the county and install in their
stead the elements Of fana.ticsm and ntoler
ance. Our main soictude should be, as hon
est members of a democratic administration
and upholders of pure democratic faith,
to select for our State rulers men, who with
the essential qualifications of capacity and
general fitness for Office, are sound on the
great distinctive principles characteristic of
OF our cause. We want for our chief stan
dard bearer in the contest which is about to
commence in this State, one on whose es-
cutcheon there is not the slightest stain of
political heresy to the cardinal doctrines of
our faith, one who has marked his devotion
to principle in times Of severe trial, and who
has not the least affinity with doctrines that
are now running riot throughout the extent
of the country, and forbode the dissolution
of the Union.
Concerning the Importance of the nation
al issues at present involved and the clear
mess with which they are defined, the Rich
mond Enquirer we'll remarks:
Late events have been such as to leave no mar
gin for evasion or equivocation on the part of po-
litica parties in this country. Positive principles
in all their native nakedness, for good or evil.
have been brought to bear directly upon the
politics of the country. Questions not susceptible
OF debate, except upon the high ground of con-
stitutionalty, have almost exclusively engaged
public attention. And it is to the Democratic
party that the na}ion has turned for vindcation
OF the constitution and the preservation of the
Union.
North and South, East and West, the warfare is
Waged now, as ever. upon the same platform and
tue same principles, on the part of the Democracy
Douglas of Illinois Toucey of Connecticut, Alex
ander of New Jersey, and all that noble band