The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-25
MI. Douglas and the Administrati0n-NO
Pence I'm Reference TO 1860.

We publish this morning the late eXultng
speech of Mr. Douglas at Chicago, over the Sena-
torial result Of the Illinois election. The promi
nent feature of this brief but remarkable dis
course is its spirit of Cancellation. Thus pleads
Mr. Douglas:-''Let the bitterness that has been
excited-let the passions that have been aroused,
be buried with the contest out of which they
arose" And, again:-"Let us now begin to
consolidate our party-begin to combine our
forces for the victory, in order that we may pre-
sent bold, united and invincible front to abo-
litionism, and all its allied isms.''
These overtures, it is supposed, indicate de-
SIRE on the part of their author, to compose his
differences with the administration, and to re-
store that harmony in the party camp which
carried Mr. Buchanan into the White House.
On the other hand, we perceive, from the gene
raj tone of the Washington Uaion since the Illi-
nois election, a disposition in that quarter to en-
ter into negotiations with Mr.. Douglas; but we
fear that they who expect from these signs Of
peace on either side anything more than limit
cd treaty or temporary armistice, will, in the
sequel, find themselves most seriously disap-
pointed.
The administration may be prepared to forego
all active hostlities against Mr. Douglas as
party man, in view of the compromising support
OF the practical measures of the administration
by Mr.. Douglas and his disciples in Congress
But beyond this limited agreement the rebellious
Illinois Senator can have little or nothing to ex-
pect, either from the administration which he has
I.o.- -.
Northern States-Illinois not excepted-his
course has delivered over TO the rejoicngs Of the
common enemy.
A treaty Of peace usually comprchends set
Element of the point of difficulty which led to the
war. Now, the point Of the rebellion of Mr..
Douglas was the Kansas policy Of the administra-
tion-a policy which, as embodied in the Lecomp
ton bill, and in the English bill, Mr. Douglas has
commended from first to last, was an outrage
against the fundamental democratic law of
popular sovereignty" If the administration is
prepared to recede plead guilty. and accept the
results Of the late elections as the judgment of
the people in favor Of Mr.. Douglas, there will be
no difficulty in the work ofpacidcation. An accom-
notation offensive and defensive, will be equally
Feasible with preliminary confession from Mr..
Douglas that his Kansas rebellion was prcma-
ture and rash. and that under the English bill,
which is the fact, the popular sovereignty" OF
the people of Kansas was satisfactorily conceded,
and is as decisively established as it could have
been under any enabling act from the pen Of Mr..
Douglas himself
But is there any probability Of this prelimina-
ry concession or confession from either side. We
think not. We presume that, SO far as the Kan
sas policy pursued by the administration is con-
cerned. Mr.. Buchanan will be content to abide
by the result in Kansas, as sufficient vindica-
ton against all the accusations Of Mr.. Douglas
and his followers, OF frauds, 'forgeries," "out-
rage" "swindling,r executive corruption
executive bribery" and executive dictation."
On the other hand, from the intense satisfaction
Of Mr. Douglas, in consequence of the election Of
a Legislature which he considers equivalent to his
reelection TO the Senate, he speaks, not as a re-
penting sinner, but as triumphant rebel, compe-
tent to dictate the terms Of his recognition by the
administration. The issue, therefore, upon
which he abandoned the President, and waged
war against him, not only in Illinois, but in all
the other Northern States, remains an open issue.
some time to come
And how II this unsettled account to be set
tied by the party We hold that Mr.. Douglas
can never recover the position in, and confidence
Of, the party which be has lost. These late cleo
tons from Maine TO Minnesota, have made the
breach between him and the regular division OF
the party too wide TO be closed BY the narrow
and unsatisfactory personal issue Of the contest
in Illinois. Let him not be deluded with'the sym
patty and encouragement of such Southern sup
porters Of Lecompton and the English bill as
Messrs. Breckenridge, Toombs, Stephens and
Senator Brown. They do not contemplate the
nomination Of Mr. Douglas at Charleston. They
are only aiming to secure the balance Of power
for themselves, which he and bis adherents may
command in the Convention from the Northwest
ern States. lie has betrayed these Southern mana
gers; he has Inundated them, and they will not
trust him as leader again. They will use him
II they can; end If they cannot, they will reduce
him TO a camp follower or TO the Northern re-
vcnge Of Martin Van Buren,.
AS for the administration, u has no occasion
to make the admission Of Mr.. Douglas into, or
bis exclusion from the regular democratic
church, party test. That matter will be left
by the President, we dare say, among the out
standing accounts Of the party, and for the party
itself to settle in reference to the succession.
Mr.. Buchanan's term Of Office is secured against
all contingencies; and as he is not in the field
for another term, and does not intend TO be, the
remnant Of bis official existence will be best
promoted to his own advantage in combining his
labors 10 the public exigcncics, necessities and
measures Of the government, leaving the party
managers, North and South. who have proved
faitblcss, to settle their quarrels among them