The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-26

ways resisted by Jefferson, the Republicans
and the Democrats, who each maintained tia
all the Departments were co-equal and co-sov
ereign within themselves.
On every point here enumerated, and W,
might enlarge the number, the Administration
has abandoned the doctrines and principles o.
the Democratic party. Still it disingenu.usly
calls itself Democratic, and processes to b
governed BY the policy and teachings of Jeffer
son and Jackson. Twelve years ago, scarcel,
one in ten Of the Administration party .woulG
have believed that any organization or party
discipline would have led or caused them to &C
depart from their principles as to sanction
these great wrongs, so Inconsistent with, and
subversive Of, the Democratic creed.
In following the schemes of unprincipled
managers, they have left the platform which
in other days it was their pride to support
They have followed their party organization
into error, at the expense of principle. There
is no Disgusting the fact. The Democracy Of
1853 is the opposite of the Democracy of 1906
and 1882, but few of them have the manlinese
to confess it.
1t is but just to say, that very large ele
ment of the Democratic party has exhibited
true independence, and refused to become com
plicated in the measures that are 30 totally in.
consistent with the principles of that party in
the days of its vigor. They have had the mora
hrmness to maintain their own convictions, re-
gardless of organizations. Herein they have
proved themselves good men and good citizens
and stand in commendable contrast with that
other class, who for Office, or who in obedience
to managing intriguers, have abandoned prin.
ciple for party.
Let it also be said, in justice to class oil
the supporters of the Administration, that they
make no false professions, but frankly avow
themselves opposed to the teachings and policy
of Washington and Jefferson, of the Rspubli-
cans and Democrats. They are the NulIfers,
the advocates of "Southern rights" the enc.
mics of State rights and Federal rights, whose
aim and whose efforts have been to sectionalze
our politics and our parties.
In a late speech of Senator Hammond, of
South Carolina, delivered at Edgefeld, in that
State, he says:
AN the opposition measures of. which
the South has complained in the last thirty
years, she herself inaugurated. Washington
and Jefferson, in the matter of Slavery, set the
coil example,. The North borrowed it from
them. The Bank of the United States origi.
mated Uith the South. The South, under some
of our leading men, Uas godfather of the
tariff. And it was the same with the internal
Thsre is frankness in this that we do not wit
ness among the great body of the Administra-
ton supporters, and certainly not on the part of
the Administration itself. While opposing the
example of Washington and Jefferson, which
the South Carolina Senator denounces as "evil,"
neither Mr.. Buchanan nor his partisans avow
that opposition, but profess that they are fol-
lowing that condemned example. There is no
question that the example and principles, the
doctrines and teachings, the creed and faith of
Washington, Jefferson, Madisen-the Republi-
cans of 1873, the Democrats of l832-are all
in antsgonism to the policy of this Administra-
ton. Whose goes with James Buchanan in
his measures, goes against the principles and
the parties We have named. This Senator
well understands and boldly declares.
Were not the Administration and its policy the
opposite of Jefferson and his associates, Sena-
tor Hammond would not be counted among its
supporters. Yet, how many of the partisans
of the Administration, in the free States espe.
cially, have the courage and frsnkness like
him to acknowledge that they repudiste the
example" of Washington and Jefferson. They
are aware of the facts, but have not the courage
to break the letters of party. Gradually, and
step by step, they have permitted themselves to
be estranged from the principles they cherished,
until they have become demoralized. The
central power has been controlled and directed
by the Nullifsrs to promote the sectional
50 Southern Rights intrigues, and the central
power thus debssed has given new tests and
strange doctrines to its party organization. Its
trained and disciplined adherents, who still
cling to that organization, have become OBJ
livious to all principle, and it is plainly appa.
rent that they have not only forfeited general
confidence, but their own selfrespect. As q
natural and certain consequence of their dere-
Lotions, the party which elected Mr.. Buchanan
is crumbling to pieces. The form of organiza-
ton, and the prestige of name which they
have abused, have lost their effect, and there is
a salutary corrective in an honest public opin-
ion which may for time be deceived and mis-.
led, but which will ultimately sweep away
error and falsehood.
Truth is mighty, and public justice certain.
If the people are slow to vindicate great prin.
ciples and correct governmental abuses, they
are Irresistible and overwhelming when finally
aroused, and their indignation against those
who have perverted power is beginning to be felt
by all. The Administration is becoming sensi-
bic Of its own feebleness, but has not the abili.
ty nor the disposition to take any steps to cor
rect its follies and its vices. Partsanship with.
out craftsmanship never inspired confidence or
begot respect, and yet the Administration re-
lies on the discipline of party and the prostitu-
ton of patronage for its support. The false
pretensions to Democracy are generally under
stood and rightly appreciated. Men who voted
for Mr.. Buchanan are investigating acts, in
curing into principles, and exercising their
own opinions and judgments, independent of
party trammels, as they have seldom done be.
fore. So far as the Administration has q poll
cy, it is generally disapproved. Even its favor.
ties and confdants are disunited in regard to it,
and give different interpretations to its course.
Schisms, internal dissensions, and conflicting
views, forebode more serious disasters than ever
befel any preceding Administration, go that
there is little to attract, but much to repeI sup
port. While it continues its centralizing efforts