Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-07-25

/ 110tY Oh tVO OSeOAA 0OIMOO80Gy
We src we must confess somewhat
surpassed at the position taken by Hon.
William Z. LefingweIl in his speech
in this city on Friday evening, in rela-
ton to the national administration. He
declared most plainly and unequivo-
cally that if he had been a member Of
the last Congress, the would have cas-
his vote against the original Lecomp
ton Bill, against the English Bill and
tor the Crittenden-M Montgomery Bill as
the only true exposition Of the demo
cratic principle Of Popular Sovereign
ty. His remarks in reference to the
subject we're closed without one word
acknowledging feaIty to the National
Administration or in support Of any
Of its measures.
As Mr.. LefingwelI has chosen to
take this position-a position which it
must be admitted was not wholly ex-
pectcd but in which he will find many
supporters-lt becomes a serious qCes-
ton as to what is the duty Of that por-
ton of the democracy which has stood
by the Administration, in the premises.
Shall VIC support a man entertaining
opinions SO hostile to the National
Democratic Administration; or shall
we ~repudiate him, and if the latter
course is taken, shall We place another
candidate before the people in opposi-
ton to him Before answering these
questions it is necessary to look first,
at the consequences which will result
from the adoption of either course. On
the n hand, if we shall support and
by our votes elect Mr.. %Lefingwell, we
will have placed in Congress a mar
who-ifthe question should again arise
in the same form-will by his voice,
his influence and his vote, embarrass
the plans and oppose the policy of the
administration with reference to the
Territory Of Kansas, and, in addition, a
man who will fail to represent our SEN
timents, feelings and opinions upon the
question.
Onthe other hand, by rcpudiating him
we would create a most serious divis-
ion in the party-a division which would
not confine itself to the question of the
election of a member of Congress /;
but would be carried into the politics
Of the State with all their ramifications
"a difference which would ruin the
fair prospects of the State ticket which
we have placed in nomination and des-
troy the party for years to come.
Our opinions upon the subject Of the
Lecompton Constitution are known.
We have supported the administration
of James Buchanan through the bat
tie, and at this late hour when the
smoke of the contest has cleared away
and the horizon is once more growing
bright, we cannot be suspected Of faith
l~essness. Our opinion most unequivo.
cally given is, that II IS the duty Of en-
cry administration democrat to stand
by and support Mr.. LeGng~eH. W.
are not the organ of James Buchanan
democracy. To the democratic party
alone, we acknowledge allegiance and
to its interest we are bound to look in
preference to the interests of any indi-
vidual. As, in reference to the organi.
cation OF our confederacy, We are will.
ling to compromise and concede, fol
the sake of the union of the States, so,
In reference to the party, WI are willing
to concede much for the sake of the
union of the democracy. Taking this
view of the subject we have come to
the conclusion that our plain duty is to
support Mr.. Letfingwcll. He is the
nominee of a Convention regularly
called according to the customs and
usages of the party-a Convention
nearly equally composed Of Admins
tration democrats and Douglas demo-
crats-a Convention by the acton Of
which, by the time honored customs
established by the great fathers of the
party, we are bound and ~prccluded.
Personally, as a member of the nom
mating Convention, assisting in its
proceedings we hold oursclf bound by
its actions and to support its nomina-
ton. Mr.. Leffingwell is a man of ia
lent and character, a man who would
DO honor to any State in the halls of
our national Legislature. Hcis admitted
by all to be a sound and sterling demo
crat and n who will represent our
opinions upon all Questions cxceptin ref
erence to the Lccompton Constitution.
BY his Republication we should gain
nothing ourselves or for the Aiminis-
t~ration. 1t would be an impossibility,
with three candidates in the field, to
elect an Administration candidate d.