The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-07-21
Progress of the Peoples Party
Movement,


on the "Peoples Party" movement, and
denouce it as premature it is still making
some headwav. A secret circular has
come to light, which shows that there has
been slight change in the programme.-
The business of distributing these circu
lars is confded to Mr. n. Sargent. To
give our readers some idea Of the features
of the project we will quote a few extracts
from the circulars. 1t starts off as fol-
lows:
WASHINGTON, June %, 1858.
"MY DEAR SIR: 1t has been deemed
advisable by anumber of gentlemen lately
here from different quarters of the Union,
opposed to the present administration, to
open correspondence with prominent in
dividuals in various States whose general
sentiments accord with theirs, in order to
interchange opinions, learn their views as
to the reorganization of parties, ascertain
what public sentiment is in their respect
i've localities in reference to the course to
be pursued in the contest for the presi-
dency in 1860, and to draw out, and to
give expression to that sentiment through
the chlnnels Of the press.
"Thcy are of opinion that, without Civ
ing NATIONALITY to the opposition party.
! by whatever name in may be caled-though
the term UNION PARTY" is deemed ap-
| propriate it will be idle to think of de-
feating the party Eow IN power in 1860;
! and that nationality cannot be given to it
! if its candidate shall be an ultra sectional
man. Such a man could only receive the
support of the distinctive organization to
which he has belonged and it is clear that
such nomination would drive the demo-
cratic party into unanim.y, whereby a
democratic President would be elected by
even larger majority than Mr.. Buchan-
an obtained.
1t appears from this to be a settled
point that a Republican candidate will
stand no chance for the next Presidency.
No wonder that Gov. Chase and his satel-
lites are so fierce in their denunciations of
this project 1t must have for leader a
man "who is neither charged with nor
suspected of sectionalisn." Upon the
'It may be asked upon what platform
is such party to stand? If any platform
is necessary, it is believed that "the Crit
tenden- amendment" will be found broad
enough for the whole body of the nation
to stand upon. But, after all, the public
character Of the candidate for the presi-
idency, his principles, public Services pa
triotism and abilities, are a better "plat-
t form" than any that could be manufac-
tured for the OCCASION"
1t seems that they have about aban-
doned the idea Of platform, for the very
good reason, no doubt, that none could
lie made upon which one-fourth of them
could consistently stand. The old maxim
of "principlcs, and not men," is to be re-
versed; "men, and not principles, is to
be their motto. a
The circular, however, proceeds to en-
S dorse the measures of the platform pub.
: lished few weeks since, but disapproves
the policy of shaping them into platform.
1t suggests that better plan is to select
candidate "whose whole public career
, affords guarantee that, in bringing about
these reforms, his cooperation would be
cheerfully given" :..
1t concludes thus: .'- .n
'I must also ask the favor of you to send
me names and address of such prominent
men in your county or State as will be
likely to take an active and willing part
in attaining the object proposed, as we
hope you will"
We have several reasons for believing
that many Republicans will "take an ac-
tive aud willing part" in this scheme
S One reason is. that is a humbug perfectly
S apparent to every one who pays any at
$ tention to politics. This being in the
line of business of goodly uamber of the
f Republican leaders, they cannot fail to be
pleased with it. Another reason is, that
it is total abandonment of everything like
principle and am mounts to nothing more
than will hunt after Office. These reasons,
e together with the fact that the Republi-
, can party is now in the last agonies o1
e death, will compaend il tootha fayar Of 9
large portion of the opposition. In
= short time it will be undermining tt
:. hopes and aspirations of our unlucky Gol
ernor; and whenever he is in positio
lis where he will have no more crumbs for h
- followers, he will have no followers.
n Ohio already feels the effects of tt
: movement; and this the late Republics
Convention well knew. They came
u near to the suggestion of the circular ,
ul it was possible to do without obeying
on literally-they made platform, but the
put nothing in it. ...-.
We are destined to have three parti
in the north the Democratic party, Il
new party under some clap-trap nam
''' and the Abolition party, which will SOC
ey be all that will be left of the Republican
~ The Gvvin and Wilson Affair.
an esa We were surprised and panied
IN. see the article 10 which the subjoined h