The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-12-09
The Position or Parties in New York.

The Position Of Parties In New York.
When Daniel Webster arose in the Senate to
reply to Hayne, before entering upon the great
speech, unsurpassed in the English tongue he
drew brief but graphic picture of iong-tossed
mariner reeorting to his compass in order to re-
gain the course from which the storm had driven
him. To recall tie attention of the Senate, which
had been diverted by the impetrous eloquencc Of
his adversary from the points in issue, he asked
| for the reading. Of the resolution under debate,
fapa; hek6dSfAe0& that magnificent forensic eff
fort which crowned him the greatest orator Of his
time.
| The American party, as well as the Republican,
dashed from their moorings by the recent hurri-
cane, and drifting at the mercy of the elements,
would do well to follow the example OF the wea-
therbeaten Notwithstanding the political COM
pass-ascertain their respective latitude and longi-
tude, and revert to the questions in dispute when
overtaken by the tempest, before again attempt.
ing to set sail.
Past experience seems to have demonstrated
that the Democracy is only triumphant when it
succeeds in dividing the forces of its natural OPP
ponents. It is minority in the State. The OPP
position, term applied by it, Unfortunately to
all other parties, is composed confessedly, of
large majority Of the people. That opposition,
however divided and distracted in ITSELF and how
tains principles 30 directly adverse to the Demo
cratic creed that the two grand divisions must
necessarily remain antagoiistc to each Other
Americanism and Democracy can never har-
monize because while the latter relies upon for
egners as it's chief support, the former looks for
its strength from the natives Of the soil. One
courts to its side and atters into its support the
power of great religious sect; the other watches
that power with jealous eye, and is always
dv IN Aonn 70 nd
Democracy glories in peryerting our lax system
of naturalization into great mandatory Of
voters, as emergency requires thereby rendering
the right of suffrage the cheapest of all commo-
dties in the market Americanism, on the con-
trary, would guard the door to citizenship SO that
no man might enter in to claim it's privileges
unless entitled to admission by virtue of his birth
right, or until he had remained among us suffi-
Gent period to become imbued with the spirit Of
our laws. In every essential respect on all ques-
tons of public welfare, they are diametrically OPP
posed, and between them there never can exist
any unity Of sentiment or action.
X Between Republicanism and Democracy, like
wise, there is no sort Of affinity. They stand as
far apart, upon every subject affecting the rights
of persons, the admission of new States, and the
duties of the Federal Government in regard to
Territorial affairs, as are the Poles The advo-
Gates OF Free Soil cal, never join hands with the
violaters of the compromise OF 1920. Those who
adhered to ancient ordinances which established
the line between Free and Slave Territory can
never fraternize with the men who tramp1ed them
under feet to make way for the inroads of border
ruffians. The difference between them is wide
and radical and the daily current of events indi-
Gates to moral certainty that this difference is
destined to increase rather than diminish.
But wherein exists any vital difference between
the American and Republican parties? both,
Except certain Republican leaders, are alike
obnoxious to the great mass of foreigners who
sustain the leaders and uphold the fortunes of
Democracy. Dark Lanternism and Black Repub-
licanism are classed by them in the same con-
temptuous category. One is denounced as the off
spring of bigotry, the other Of fanaticsm.
While, certainly, no congeniality exists in this
direction, we venture to assert that the Rep1bli-
can is rarely to be found who has not come TO &C
knowledge a sympathy with the universal feeling
that called the American party into existence -
who does not see and confess the necessity of pu-
rifying the ballot box-of revising the naturaliza-
ton laws--of elevating American craftsmanship to
its proper dignity and value, and Of resisting that
alien insolence which pushes aside the native citi-
zen, and assuming his place, controls the politics
of the land.
Equally rare, also, is the American, whose SYM
pathies are not with those who advocate freedom
in the territories, and whose judgment does not
approve the spirit that resists the advances of
slavery. Indeed, the Binghampton platform de-
clared in direct terms such to be the sentiment
Of the party in this State. That platform was
the clearest and truest expression of American
principles that has, at any time, been put forth.
1t received the endorsement of the people, and
Americans may date their untoward fortunes from
the day they suffered it to be superseded by
one less emphatic on that absorbing subject
Evidences are too apparent to admit the inter-
vention of doubt, that the prominent doctrines
of the Republican and American parties are
those approved by large majority of the elec
tors Of New York. Their political instincts and
sympathies are identical, and their separation is
more the result of party prejudice, than the die
tates Of sober judgment.
United a common platform, in opposition
TO the expressions of an alien influence, in sup
port of American Nationality, the defeat Of the
common adversary would be inevitable. Whether
such an union, in the present EFFICIENCY of politi.
cal affairs, ought TO commend itself TO favorable
consideration, we submit TO the candid judgment
of the American and Republican reader.-Al6any
Evening Stateman