The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-16
MEASURES. NOT MEN.

The enemies of the democratic party are every
where predicting its disruption and rejoicing in the
hope that il is soon to DO broken up and destroyed
Whilst we are in no way surprised that such hope
should fill them with joy and readily understand
the grounds upon which their predictions based,
we do not entertain the slightest fears of their ever
being realized. Y
1t is true that prominent members of the demo
cratic party have seen proper to differ with the adj
ministration upon its Kansas and Central American
policy but by no means follows that in doing they
intend to cut themselves loose from the democratic
party and indeed, if such be their intention, it
would not necessarily, or even probably, end in the
disruption of that party The very idea upon which
the democratic organization is based, and on which
it has invariably acted will it from such ca
tastrophe. With measures, and not men, as the
foundation wall upon which it is built, it ne
cessarily follows that it be destroyed
so long it adhcres to this as the fundamental
doctrine of its existence. Like all other parties it
has its great lights--men to whom tits deeply at
tached, and whose lead it delights to follow. But
this attachment springs less from any partiality
of the party towards its leaders than from add
miration of commanding abilities, coupled with a
long and consistent devotion to the great doctrines
upon which it is founded and whenever, therefore.
We find one of these, no matter how great his per-
sonal popularity, deserving the leading of
the democratic party, we will surely that party
az promptly deserving him. Men change but prn-
cples live forever y and immutably fixed il is
upon the unchanging rock Of principle neither the
democratic party any respectable portion Of it,
can ever be made to follow permanently those who,
misled by error or influenced by the promptings of
ambition, may choose to depart from the great po-
litica chart laid down for its government. We are
not without many examples in support Of what we
have said. The merest tyro in the history Of the
democratic party is familiar with the fact that
attempts have again and again been made to de-
stroy its organization, by men who had enjoyed
its fullest confidence and occupied its highest
places of honor and trust All know the fate
of those who deserted their party and made war
upon the administration Of General Jackson Whilst
he, for adherng firmly and uninchngly to its great
principles, was applauded and sustained by the peo
pie, they as consequences of deserving them, were
driven into political exile, and stripped Of their pow
or and influence. ana lew unere are VINO 40 not
remember the fate Of one who, after having spent
the best years of his life in the ranks of the democ
racy, and worn tho highest honors in its gift nglo
rously buried himself in bold attempt to bury his
old party. We might give other instances of like
character, but these are sufficient for purpose,
and enough to show how vain is the idea that any
man, or set of men, no matter how commanding
their talents, or how high their positions, can by
deserting the principles of the democratic party, de-
stroy its organization materially damage its pros
poets of continued and ultimate success. Such
attempts have often been made, and as often
failed and such predictions our opponents are
now putting forth have always ended, these win
certainly end, in idle prophecies and unmeanng
boasts.