Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-07-20
ANOTHER DEMAND FOR HARMoNY.

The Syracuse Daily Courier, one Of the leading De.
mocratic journals of the Empire State and a stanch
Lecompton paper, speaks ont boldly in favor of a Ii
bersl spirit of federation among the Democracy. The
following sentinepts will be most cordially received
by all the friends of honest truth who have been late
" disturbed BY the iiiberal Efforts of some of our co
emporaries to prevent the consolidation of the De.
nocratic party on the enduring basis of self resptc
aud mutual esteem
We are not of that cless Of politicians who seek To
create new disseDsions in tho Democratic party for
the beneh. and amusement OF our opponents. We
believe that Democrats have a right to differ upon
minor questions, and We have no prescription tn
threaten for opinions sake. Whatever dissensiona
may have existed in the Democratic party in former
y-ars, we believe that the recent difference of opinion
between the Administration aud such Statesmen a.
Wise and Douglas, should be regarded as an honest
difference.
We regretted, mos, eincerely that Senator Douglas
was unable to look upon the Kansas question from
the .ame point Of view with US, and We regretted with
equal sincerity the difference We felt compelled TO
take with Governor Wise. The concurrent cent
mepte, however, of two such eminent and hitherto
unwavering Democrats. went far, We must confess,
to staggsr our sslf reliance. And Notwithstanding
We se no; yet able 10 sse why the privileges Of self
government do not bring with them also certain mex
orable duties, the wilful neglect OF which must Of
necessity involves some penalty, We are willing to re
gard with the utmost charity that charitable stre'ch
Of patience which prompted such men as Senator
Douglas to extenuate the obduracy of The people of
Kansas aud yield to every phase OF thsir caprices.
rather than violate what they claimed TO be one OF
the simplest propositions of popular sovereignty.
1t was once eloquently said by Henry Clay, that he
would rather be right than be President. But no
better illustration of stern adherence to what he
deemed the right, was probably sver presented to the
country by the course o. an American statesman, than
was presented by tho course OF Gov. Wise of Virginia,
on this question. 1t is well known he was the early,
consistent and persistent friend of Mr.. Buchanan. He
held the vote OF his State for nearly forty successive
ballots in the Convention Of 1852, for the nominstion
of Mr.. Buchanan, and sent To the Convention OF lSJ6,
a deleg atiOn equally determined upon the same nomi.
nation. No breach had occurred between them. their
confidence in each other remained stesdfast and hrm.
Aud ye, Gov. Wise, honestly differing with hs friend
on an important point of policy, which involved "a
he supposed the honor aud interests of the Democratic
party, took his stand in opposition. 1t was a painful
act, and though We may. doubt its correctness, We
canno, but admire the Roman firmness which impelled
it. Such Democrats should not be prescribed. We
have reason to believe that MIR. Buchanan retains all
ha confidence in and friendship tor Gov. Wise, not
withs,anding this Disagreement, and we are confident
that the Democracy, copying 30 illusirious an exam.
pie. will not prescribe others who have thought such
men ss Wise aud Douglas, right in their position on
the Lecompton question.
The Courier stands on firm ground. The Jour
mails now bidding for Administration favor. on tie
assumption that Mr.. Buchanan has cast overheard
his old friends, have left their game out of sight. We,
too, have full cause to know that the President hss
no hand in, nor sympathy with the war now waeed
against Mr.. Douglas. Aud We speak advisedly, when
we assure our contemporary that there can be no doubt
whatever, that "Mr. Buchansn retains all his conf
dence in, and friendship for Gov. Wise"