The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-27
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTIONS.

of the northern States based upon the doctrine an
nounced in the wilmot proviso. The leaders and
followers in this movement protested their fidelity
to democratic measures, to tho democranc parry
and to the democratic policy II was in VAN that
the great body Of the party in the Union opposed
and denounced the Wimot proviso. 1t was in vain
that the great Of the democracy arrayed and or
eanized themselves in hostility to this doctrine Those
democrats who espoused the doctrine persisted in
their movement, and protested all the whiie tnat
tbev were still members of the regular organi-
zation. and entitled to recognition as sach The
result was the convention at Buffalo, the loss of
several northern States to the democratic organiza-
ton. the defeat Of one democratic presidential can
didate, and the permanent utilization IN the end
Of the larger portion of the seeding faction with
the regular abolition party of the Morrill, g
This was an extreme case but it is notable illus
tration Of a contingency which may often occur in
the history Of our politics, in which individuals and
conventions Of the democratic party may set them
selves up as democratic par ercellenes, and claim
recognition as such from the great body OF the
party throughout the Union. X
We fear that there is danger Of the recurrence OF
the Union although our fear on the subject is not
80 great at present it has been for some time past
We think we see decided indications OF temper IN
the portion of the democratic party which opposed
the measures that were supported by the party here
in Washington, during the winter on the territorial
question, to acquesce in the action which has been
taken, and to unite and cooperate with the great
body of the party in the future. We are glad to
witness many decided indications Of this catholic
temper, and we express the sentiment Of an over
whelming majority of the party everywhere, when
we say, that everything which can be consistently
done, ought to be DONE to encourage and to extend
this feeling of cooperation and reunion. 'ii ~
But it is not to be denied that very hostile tenn
per still exists among portion of what have been
known as the anti Lecompton democracy Of the North
towards the democratic party, the policy which it
has adopted, and the democratic administration. III
these men persist in this temper and in the course Of
antagonsm they have adopted, and be able to count
majority Of the party in particular localities or
States the question is, whether they are to be emit
tied to be regarded as representing the democratic
organization of the Union. Here, plainly, is but
revival of the question which was raised by the
Buffalo platformists These men may claim to repre-
sent the democratic organization in their localities or
States but their claim will repudiated by the democ
racy Of the Union, and their movement will degene
nate as to the larger portion Of the movers as that
OF Buffalo did, into unadulterated abotionism.
Democratic candidates, or democratic conventions,
that array themselves against the policy support;
ed by the democratic organization Of the Union cam
not claim, with any color of right, the support
of faithful members Of the party in their respective
localities It is fact that out Of about one hum
bred and sxty-fvs democratic members Of the pres
ent Congress at least one hundred and fifty are in
harmony in support Of thelpolicy which was adopt
cd The democratic administration is q unit on this
policy. One entire section Of the Union is unanimous
in its support, and the democratic delegations OF
almost every one Of the States Of the North are
also supporting this policy. !, In the face Of ihis
state Of facts, il is in vain to suppose that any
candidate or convention, claiming to be democratic,
which refuses to acquesce in that policy can be re-
garded o. such, by the democratic party or its
members.
We have no desire to revive past dispute or TO-
dictate to any human being any sort OF terms on
which to obtain or retain utilization with the party
A - 49,
We simply mean to express the opinion that no man
can consistently be recognised as member of the
democratic party who refuses to acquiesce in a
policy supported by fteensixteenths Of its national
organisation. ate,isegA otsi ni 9 q btus
We have no desire to give these paragraphs any
special application; but as the Chicago Times be-
sets us with long catenation Of nteogatories in
sulting to the administration which we should dis
dain to answer even if we had any authority OF
the requisite information to do so, which are preg
nant with unworthy and disngenuous imputations
and which we are sure do not breathe tho temper
of the party of which the Times is the reputed or
gan--we feel called upon to express the opinion
that no newspaper can be regarded as democratic
organ which could consent to characterize meas
ure, supported by en-sixteenths Of the demo
cratic organization in Congress- such terms the
following, which the Times used in speaking Of the
English bill, ON the 9th instant: ei r01
''we regarded before its passage - An insult to the
forms Of legisAtion contemplate evasion Of clear
principc cowardly subterfuge behind which the would
be vioato Of the democratic platform might crawl down
from their eminencc miserable pretext for settle
ment having no other possible end than to cover up
the present defeat Of q more Infamous propagation We
have 40 regarded Il HERETOFORE and every examination of
it since then has only confirmed sentiments of dis
gust that any democrat could have voted for It under
any circumstances =
..<A.x H. In tAofd md No