Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-24
THunsDAY nIoRNrNa, JUNE "a, 1855.
-. - 4. nourIa..


A correspondent Of the Richmond Soua, who
olsims to have opposed Senator Douglas in bis
resent oourss upon the Kansas admission question,
makes an appeal in that gsntlsman's behalf, and
urges that he shall not be driven out Of the ranks Of
she Democratic party in consideration Of past ser
vices and in view Of the fact that the Issue raised
Is 9 ''past one,p that cannot come up again. The
following extract snbodiss the Whels idea Of this
Communication;
'sWe understand that thtt gentleman (Blr. Doug
las Is DESTROYS to aot with the Democratic party,
that he regards the Kansas issue IS past one and
that IL we are willing 70 receive it. shall have
she aid Of him and his friends in the conflict Of
1860"
We don't know what others may have to ssy to
this overture As for ourselves. We have but one
answer. We shall treat Judge Douglas just as We
would any other Democrat who, in an emergency.
abandoned bis principles and made common cause
with the enemy sgainst mis- party, regardless Of
SHE cid Of him and his friends 10 the conflict Of
1885," We viii lock upon him IS 9 truant, and as
having Rantonly forfeited that high position which
be had attained in the Democratic ranks, and when
We have evidence that be is sincerely and honestly
Fepeptsnt, We can forgive, but not forget The act
II Judge Douglas and his lrisuds choose to act
With the Democratic party, v, presume one viii
object, IS no one would have q righttq. We are
free to say he ought to act nth the Democratic
party. One bad step does not justify another but
rather increases the reasons why he should be
circumspset in the future. But if these gentlemen
desire to exact terms Of The Democratic party they
only prove how little they know Of It. Politicians
may grant terms, but, fortunately for the country
It is the people, and professional politicians who
compose and govern that party. One Of its chief
exoslsneies has always been that it superior to
its supposed leaders, and put its foot upon its
greatest men with as much impunity as It crushed
its smallest ones whenever they proved false to the
great principles which it espOuses and the mainte
nance Of which is the chief object Of its Orgsnzs
ton. Mr.. Van Buren,, Mr.. Benton, and hundreds
Of others Of illustriOus examples, can attest to
tbis
For one, We have no uRkind feelings for Judge
DoUoEAs, as much as we deprecsts his course. We
have, in times past, esteemed him Of the great
nan Of our party The writer OF this paragraph
would have preferred his nomination for the Presi
dency, by the last National Convention, to that Of
Mr. Buchanan. We had observed with pride his
ability on the stump and in the Senate. We had
felt the influence Of his remarkable energy snd
enthusiastic We loved the earnestness and zeal
with which he adhered to personal friends. We FEEL
no regret at having done SO. 1t vas due to him.
BE hsd not then proven himself unable to resist
temptation, and to make q ssori6ce Of all personal
ambition for the sake Of truth, justice, and
principle II the same hard test was applied there
are probably hundreds Of others Of leading men in
cur ranks whose uncertain political integrity would
IS readily give way to the pressurei we have had
evidence Of it but until the test is made, they are
entitled to their present standing in the party.
Much has been said about 'reading men out" Of
the Democratic party This is a misuse Of Ian
gusge. There is no such thing. Democracy is the
profession and practice Of certain political princi
pies Right and Justice are their basis-the Federal
Constitution their chart; they are the common
property Of the American people. Those who
receive and support them constitute the Democratic
party. There is no test Of membership. Il makes
no difference where be was born, or what his reli-
giOn. There is no high priest to swsGr him ia, and
no sbsOluiOn is necessary to let him out. The
man, therefore, is Democrat long and 50 far as
he aots Democrat; and when he ceases to act as
SUCH he thereby reads himself out Of the party, and
ehers can only chronicle the fact. He may just as
eesly Feso hmHeH OaeA5 eha no one can CON PialH'
but all may exercise their judgment IS TO what de-
gree Of confidence should be given to the act, and
how far he should be looked upon in the future IS
entitled to special influence and consideration. This
is as far as we have ever gone, and we hold our
selves subject TO the same scrutiny and criticism
from Others. THE Louisville Democrat and Rich
mOnd Enqurs will please observed
These are our views upon the subject Of political
offenders like Judge DOUsLAs, and We believe they
are the sentiments Of the masses Of the Democratic
party 1t is essential to our good that they should
be recognized, in justice and in safety to true
principles throughout the country.