The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-01


impudent assumptions of the friends Of Mr.. Douglas
They contend that the Douglas nominees are the
nominees of the true democracy, thereby nsinuating
that the administration democracy the false or
sham democracy. Well, take them to the best stand
ard Look at James Buchanan, surrounded by the
host of democrats in both houses Of Congress, advo-
eating and sustaining the English bill and then look
at Stephen A. Douglas, surrounded by little more
than half dozen democrats, and all the balance of
his allies the Oldest and biterest enemies democracy
ever had. How in the of reason can il be that
nine tenths of the democrats of Congress- represent
ing the like proportion in the whole Union are false
and spurious, whilst the one-tenth are sound and
orthodox in their fathY
But it is said that the Douglas democracy are the
true ones, because they have the organization in Hi
nois What signifies the organization? That depends
on numbers. The test is not the mere organza-
ton Of party, but which organization few OF many
weak strong, holds the most orthodox doctrine?
To know this when the question is started in any one
State, you must compare the creed in dispute with
the creed held by the majority of the party in Con-
grcssn the State legislatures and in State conven
tons. Tried by these standards, land they are the
only ones) it is undeniable that the administration
democrats of Illinois have clearly the advantage over
those of the Douglas party.
But there is another pretence more groundless
than any other. The Douglas party in and out of
Illinois, is perpetually reminding the country that he
is in mortal struggle with the blackrepublicans and
that if the administration democrats of Illinois do
not come to his relief Lincoln may beat him for the
Senate. To this there is plain and easy reply Mr.
Douglas chose to go out of his own encampment--to
wander away from his old comrades to consort az
he did, with the common enemy If he finds him
self, contrary to his expectations engaged with
one of that enemy, he has no right to call upon de-
mocracy to leave its enrenched and welfortifed
camp and to run to any new position outside Of the
democratic lines, and to and extend to him relief
and protection. Tho democratic party is under no
such obligation to any Of lis truant Let them
come home from their wanderings. If enemies as
sail Them let them return within the democratic
campment, and then they shall be protected by her
not come within our lines by acknowledging his will
ingness to abide by the solemn decision Of his
party it ia craven folly aud indeed insult to ask
for the assistance of the administration democracy
And here is presented that false issue which, more
than all other things, is misleading the country.
1t is said, well, no matter how wrong and hurtfu
the conduct Of Douglas may have been during the last
session ofCongress it is wrong not to so to his
relief lest an abotionist should be elected Democ
racy is not brought thank God to the necessity Of
voting for either Douglas or Lincoln An admins
Il - N.,
tration democrat cannot vote for either under the
hostile denuncations of both of them. Unless Doug
lass shall distinctly declare that he will acquiesce
in and abide by the English bill, and until his nomi
nees SO declare he and they much enemies
on this particular subject TO the great body of the
democracy of this nation Lincoln anybody
else. Not as great enemies many other subjects
and indeed, many not enemies at all, butfriends
but upon the settlement Of the great question Of Slavery
| in Kansas they both stand equal in their antag-
| onsm to the democratic party of the nation. IT
| is false issue to say that we must support
| Douglas for fear Lincoln may be elected There
| is no such necessity True and faithful democracy
can always find true and faithful candidates to
support and can never be brought to so low con-
dition that it must vote for who and de-
nounccs its recorded principles great and vital
question In the days of jackson the land was filed
with what were called bank democrats. They CON
| tnued with wings to vote down all the demo-
cratic measures against the old United States Bank.
These men always pleaded that they were good
democrats Except in that one thing" True, Gen.
Jackson replied, " but that was very great thing"
and YOU must never expect democratic votes until
YOU can give them in return. So it when many
deserted democracy on the sub-treasury question.
They pleaded eloquently against the danger to the
party if they, and such they, should not DO fully
recognised as democrats in full connexion. No re-
corded instance can be found where such recusant
democrat was ever permitted to put his heel on the
neck Of the democratic party and coerco from it a
support not sanctioned by its principles.
/ Better for the democracy to fall conquered and
subdued in open fight with the common enemy than
to submit to dication like this from one of her own
leaders Such submission must lead her to inevita-
lie dsorganizaton and ruin. II becomes therefore,
the duty of every good democrat, both in and out
Of Illinois, to guard against any misappcd sympa-
thy for Mr.. Douglas whilst in his present defiant
position. Between him and democracy, the true
democracy, there must continue to be deep gulf
until he shall choose to close it, by ready
acquiescence in the decisions Of tho party on any
great question such as the United States Bank and
/