The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-21
PULLING DOWN THE PLATFORM.

IL was well for Colonel Fremont that he got of to
California as he did, for the New York Times, before
he was fairly out of sight of land set to work to pull
down the platform Of his party the heads Of
those he left in charge Of it. The Times is not alto
gether lucid in the explanations which it offers tor
its work 1t is convinced, for instance, that such
structures are of practical account and that the
republicans in the next canvass will fight each on his
own hook The great idea of "no more slave States
is given up and the Times walks quietly on to the
Cincinnati platform and endorses popular sove-
reignty" as the basis of future action in relation to
the government Of the Territories. We are not dis
posed to question the right of the Times to pull
down its own works. but have some doubt of the pro-
priety Of its appropriating those Of the democratic
party. AT least our contemporary might have its
principles retroactive--there ia no harm in running
principles backwards--thus including and endorsing
the measures of the territorial government and the
proposed admission Of Kansas under the Lecompton
constitution, which was the last years fruit of the
exercise of popular sovereignty" in Kansas. The
Times has new projcct--an entirely new project
that of organizing party without any creed--an
army without oficers--a garden without seed and it
hopes to unite in its enterprise the American
rump, the renegade democrats, and the republi-
cans, minus their antislavery. We dc not object to
the arrangement; but it is desirable thatwe should
be informed what you intend to do with the new ne
gro constitution at Lcavenworth? What will you do
with Mr. Wade, who will vote for g the admission
Of no more slave States p What win you do with
Mr.. Stewards great controversy between free and
slave labor What will you do with the abolition
ists without whose votes your concern would be
fy-blown and maggotty in single hour The
truth is, tho democracy has really sufered from the
effects Of your dssolving political views" and
are anxious that you should settle down and become
respectableshow stability, character, and re-
liability II you intend to give up exclusive
northern residence, let us know how far South you
will 60. What about the fugitive law? Is that
measure to be included in the general amnesty 7 Is
another Burns to DO given up and dissolution pro-
nouncod upon Judge Loring We insist upon know
ing nor do question the fact that something is
foot by which system Of pardons and roprieves is
to be carried out. 1t was great concession, we
admit, that the republicans made when in less time
than at Penticos where three Thousand infdels
converted in single day, hundred thousand and
moro republican infdels came up to thc support of
the Lecompton constitution with slavery; and few
days after the whole family announced their ale
glance to the Christian doctrines Of popular sover
eighty. Democracy is principle, and it will not re-
fuse the hand OF fellowship to any Of its disciples
Jew or Gentle. Come, then, under what name and
in whatever garb you please. When you leave off
the errors of your life by that sign shall know
you and hail you brothers. If you will longer
fight under the republican banners feel sure your
career will end by service in the ranks of the de-
mocracy. M ,t