The Nevada Democrat., 1858-07-28
pnIiflcnI Parties.

Political Parties.
Since the formation of the present Federal
Constitution. two antagonistic parties have ex-
listed in the United States. These parties may
be denominated the Conservative and Progress
I've parties-terms which come as near describ-
ing the difference between them az any that can
be used The Conservatives successively as
sumed the names of Federaiists, and Wings. |
while the Progressives have been known as
Republicans and Democrats. One-idea par
ties composed principally of the conser,a-
tive element have occasionally sprung up,
such as the National Republicans and Know
Nothings but after aourishing for brief sea-
son they disappeared. The Republican party
of the present day belongs TO this latter class.
and in short time will follow in the footsteps
of its ignoble predecessors. The conservatives
have invariably acted upon the idea that prin-
ciples are nothing without power, and for that
reason were always ready to assume new
name provided it would enable them to gain
temporary success. They tried this game sever
al times during the administrations of Madison
and Monroe, but were always repudlated by
the people as soon as their real plans were dis
covered. Having at length become completely
dem0ralzed and broken down, the conservatives
as last resort united with the prOgressives
and during the administration Of Monroe the
latter were the only organized party in the
country and were then generally known as
Republicans. But the antagonistc elements
could not work together harmoniousy. Though
united ostensibly with the Republicans, 1t was
as difficult for the Federalist TO change his prin-
ciples as for the leopard to change his spots. A
period of turmoil and confusion followed, such
as had never before been known IN party
history. Naturally time-servers, and slavishly
sanctioning without question the behests of the
ruling power, the Federslists became emnently
successful as party intriguers, and actually sue
ceeded in 1924 in procuring caucus nomna-
tion of o man of their own stamp for the Presi-
dency. This was more than the Progressives
had bargained for when they invited their for
mer political opponents into their ranks they
accordingly put up a candidate of their own,
leaving the name and prestige of the party with
the conservative wing. The Progresslves were
defeated at that time, but on the second trial,
In 1928, they succeeded in electng Jackson to
the Presidency. The conflicting elements had
become thoroughly separated and rC-organized
during the administration Of the Younger
Adams, and for third of century afterwards
were known as Wings and Democrats. A SUI
per6cal observer could not fail to discover that
the Whig party was the legitimate successor of
the old Federal or Conservative party, while
the Democrats succeeded to the principles
and policy of the Republican or Progressive
party and yet the Wings never had any diff
Guilty in tracing themselves back through an
unbroken chain Of party organization to the
days of Jefferson. But the progressive element
had left them. Wearied with contending against
conservatism in their own ranks, backed as 1t
was by the patronage and power OF Government,
the Progressves set up for themselves and left
the remnants of the one-idea parties, that had
sprung up on the dissolution of Federalism, to
range themselves on whichever side their incli-
nations prompted.
The history of the Whig party is history Of
the Federal party; the one is almost an exact
counterpart of the other, and both were swal-
The contention now going on in the Democratic
ranks bears close resemblance to the turmoil
among the Republicans which preceded the
election of jackson. 1t is the old contest be-
tween ProGressivism aud Conservatism; the
murmuring of the volcano which foretells the
eruption; the throes which indicate o final sepa-
ration of elements that cannot mingle harmo-
niously together.
The Popular Sovereignty Democrats OF the
present day constitute the largest and best or
ganized body of the progressive element OF the
country, while the Conservatives have general
ly ranged themselves upon the side of Lecomp-
tonsm. 1t is idle to suppose that mere differ
ance of opinion upon the question of admitting
Kansas could produce such dscord in the ranks
Of q we'll organized party. The difficulty is
deeper-it is struggle between opposing ele-
ments united upon an artificial basis. If the
party in this State was less powerful, the two
wings might hold together some years longer
but the action in most of the principal counties
indicates pretty plainly that the separation will
take place in the Convention which meets one
week from to-day. In fact, so many double
delegations have already been sent, that all
they have to do is to meet at separate places,
and the division will be complete. There is no
other party in the State capable of contending
successfully with either wing of the Dem ocracy,
Tor will it be possible for the remnants of ether
'arties to unite into grand humbug Peoples
,arty. When the division does come, we trust
he Popular Sovereignty Democrats will keep