New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-30
FROM DISTINCTION.

Yfcm On Own t.frlsIs "a IL
WAsHSGIOs, Thursday. Jan. q. 1853.
The Anti Lecompton Democrats have counted up
their forces within day or do. They figure out in
the House majority Of half dozen against the
Administration On this question. This il 81 that
even the most sanguine Of them claim after the
most careful enumeration Of noses. 1t is evidently
not enough. 1t would be a very poor and very
weak Administration that could not overcome 40
small majority in House where its own party has
a strong numerical majority. The opponents of the
Nebraska bill in ike manner counted upa msi, rity
of twenty -one against the Adminstraton-three
times tie msjority claimed by the Anti. Lecompton
Democrats. We al know how that majority melted
oasy when the measure came to the vote Under
the potent influence Of Executive patronage the
rnesger majority of the Anti-LecOmpton Democrats
would Likewise disappear, even If it now really
listed. But il does not exist. | have reliable in
formation that the Administration Democrats have
also counted noses, and find that they have in the
House cure majority of ten, and il may be twelve.
In my judgment, their count is much more likely TO
be accurate than that of the Douglas men. Certain
members are PLAYING fast aud loose in this matter.
but the Administration has too much at stake to
neglect to make sure Of its hold on Congress.
The passage of the Lecompton Constitution
through Congress viii be fatal to Mr Douglas and his
followers. He will be merely the chief of beaten
faction of the Democratic party-another lustrious
example of the folly of half measures. Had he
boldly thrown down his glove to the President. and
demanded Justice for Kansas on the alternative Of
OMEN AGGRESSION from the Democratic party OF himself
and his friends the President and the leaders of that
party would have shrunk from encOuntering revolt
30 formidable in character and certain TO lead 10
defeat in ls60. The scheme of forcing the Lecomp
tou Constitution on Kansas would have been dropped
or essentially modified: Or. if persisted IN, the
lines would have been 20 clearly drawn in Congress
that f. sufficient number Of Northern Democrats to
defeat the Administration in the House would havo
been compelled to stand firm for the right. Of
Kansas. But Mr.. Douglas has dily -dsllied. aud
tempered and palavered about his party posi-
ton irving 10 make it appear that he was
A. good Q Democrat as ever and secret
" counting and endeayoring TO cOucate the
Republicans at Washington, has suffered his friends
and agents in the Northwest to attack the Repub.
lean party with even more yirulence than before
the result ofwhich temporizing and trimming policy
bas been to make the Northern Democrats in Con-
press and among the people look with more dread
upon secession from their party than upon scqules-
cence 10 the LccOmpton iniquty. When so power
full man AS Mr. Douglas shrnks sensitiyely from
the suspicion of unwilIingness to follow the Demo-
cratic party wherever it may choose to 60, it is not
to be wondered at that weaker politicians are reuc.
tant to expose themselves to dangers which sppall
even the intrepid Senator from Illinois. With lit
tie more bOldness Mr.. Douglas might command the
support Of united North. At present, repeat it,
he is only the chief of beaten faction OF the Demo-
cratic pary-of faction that mutters and mIlrmurs,
but does not dare to mutiny, though doomed 10
the fate of bottled mutineers.