The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-03-23
sENAroR DOUGLAS AND PARTY
DISCIPLINE.
Correspondence Of The S0Hth.
WASHINGTON, March 1s. 1858.

Correspondence " ~
WASHINGTON March 1s. 1858.
There has been lately good deal said
in the Senate and by the press on the sup
loot of GRADING men out of the party
and the Washington Union has, with great
GRAVITY, disclaimed its power to do SUCH all
act. Mr. Douglas has become quiet e1er-
cised upon the subject, and is e'iaeh'iy
das;r;ous TO "run with the hare and hunt
with the hounds" He wants to curry FAVOR
with the Black Republicans, and pander TO
che Freesoil sentiment of his State, SO as 10
retain his seat in the Senate and yet claim
utilization with the National Democracy
and he in q position in 1860 to run tor the
White House-the cherished end OF MS am
bition for some years past. His desires
for power are fully equal to his own con-
ception of his talents.
Now it is very true that the Union
cannot read q man out of the party. COO
forbid that any such power should be SO
vested! Nor can dozen or more ADMIN
istration organs do it. The Adminlstra-
ton itself is subject to the opinion OF the
marty. and Senatorial or House caucus is
equally impotent to this end. But 1t Is
quite competent for any Democrat or
number of Democrats to say what degree
of confidence they will extend to one who
shows by every act and word that regards
marty merely for his own selfish ends, and
is willing to sacrifice its principle and Grip
ple its organization whenever he thinks he
can make by it.
Mr. Douglas is now striking his heaviest
blows at the Democratic party. He seeks
triumph for the traitors of Topeka the
sworn foes of the South; men whose hands
are stained with treason and murder. His
position is fixed irretricvably. Not long
since the South regarded him as an honest
and true mana patriot whose courage
was only equalled by his integrity. Tn.
grateful for her confidence, false to hi:
pledges, reckless alike of the Union and o
his own future, he stakes his all for the
smiles of fanatics and seat in the Senate
robbed of all its prestige, usefulness ant
dignity.
1t is dangerous for any man, however
able or exalted. to disregard fidelity to thu
party whose principles he has avowed a
essential to the welfare of the country ant
TO whose confidence he ewes his elevation
The Democratic party sustain the Presi
dent in his policy in regard to Kansas ant
Utah. but on the Nicaragua question he ha
so far received his support from the Blacl
Republican party, and his policy of ''rota
ting" cut of office all Democrats who dit
not go for his nomination at Cincinnati
does not receive the support of any party
except the Immediate recipients ct hi
bounty.
The race for 1860, it is now evident, vii
be between Mr. Seward, the Democratic
candidate, (whoever he may be,) and NJ
Douglas. The latter does not expect, @
course, to be elected. but will hope to &c
it into the House, and there dictate term
TO the colored Republicans. He presumes
naturally enough, that they will prefer hin
to the Democratic candidate. lie is mar
.kalling his forces for this result, and l
determined to ''rule or ruin" Much OF hi
confidence is probably affected. Wer
he conscious of great strength in 1llinoi:
he would not make such severe struggl
over the confirmation of petty Postmaste
at Chicago. His desperate struggle
prevent this is a key to his position. an
shows plainly how much of his apparer
strength is fictitious and attributable to hi
being hitherto the channel of patronage.