The Washington union., 1858-03-10
DOUGLAS AND WALKER.


/ 81 any sort Or sterling morale would be more So
Theirs are conspicuous instances Of mind without
soul, intellect without emotion, brains without heart
The physique IN each indicates the man il is
head a prserea niLd. The brain is massive, but
frigid mass warmed 10y no genial current from the
fountains of feeling reddsned by none of the clsret
blood which wells up from the heart They great
diaectciaus aud feeble orators their arguments are
clear as icicles, gttering the surface of snow
and fash not with the fires Of the sum- but with the
chill and thin girnmer Of the aurora boreais.
la dialecties they giants in the higher walks
of cssuisiry, Pigmies. Cold, trenchan dalectics is
the weapon with which they fight. They rely upon
the energy of thought and the potency Of argument
in all their efforts little realizing approaching the
innate power Of right Ia general. il matters little
with them which side of question they espouse
they equally able either. Separate Mr.. Walk
Ell from a hobby theory aud Mr.. Douglas from an
ambitious scheme, and they will make you as power
fnl argument side the other Of any ques-
lion Of controversy. IueaPaeity to distinguish the
moral features and appreciate the genial aspects of
subject is defect of moral organization and not a
moral fault.
They are formidable whether in defence or upposi-
ton, in either unfortunately. Hence they are iu-
valuable ocadjutors, but most unsafe counsellors.
4 Follow their lead, aud you are of powerful
championship, but by of good cause
Of that ultimate which ever belongs even
tually to right and truth. They have each in his
way, been peerless champions Of democracy, though
neither democrat u,,s e IN cute. for no
one is democrat by intellect alone II is the
patriotic emotion, the honest instinct the independ
cut soul which inspire democracy aud make men dem
ocrats; and th-se merely think and do not feel
If the accidents of association and interest throw
them into cooperation with the democracy they
the very Achilles and Alax Of the cause but it is
only accident that makes tben democrats at all De
ocracr the result of heari-work and not of head
work. Given a reasonable share of common sense.
and mans democracy depends, after that, upon this
spiritual qualities, and very little upop the inteec
tual
The doctrine Of the authority Of each local com
munity 10 decide the slavery and other domestic
questions for itself was the conclusion Of the demo
cratic sentiment Of the country in $50 and s5a 1t
incorporated into ths legislation Of Congress on
each occasion at the motion of ether persons, and
not ci Mr.. Douglas who, incapable Of appreheDding
philosophical principle could not, of course, orgi
nate great democratic doctrine. The accidents of
his existing associations and intercsts forced him
to adopt the doctrine of his party and he was
set to work by the party its chief agent in
carrying il before the people, and fixing il upon the
policy Of the country. But the fact of his being as
signed to the task and of his efficient service in it,
no more proves him TO be nstinctivcly democrat
than his endorsement for time of the Wilmot pro-
viso proved him to be for that time abolitonist.
Democracy is political religion living faith
in truth and right, rooted in the convictions de-
veloped in patriotic sentiments ard disintcrested
naanliness and independence of spirit But these
are men of logic and not of fahof calculation aud
not Of conviction A true demccrat apostatze
any than bird become fish but dem
ocrss from accident, logic, calculation,
apt TO apostatize at any moment. If they be in the
lead Of the democratic march, they apt not
go wrong the first fork of the highway, and
sure in the end TO lose themselves in the labyrn,hs
of by-rays and cross paths.
Messrs. Walker and Douglas differ, however in
their cas-. of intellect. The one is theorist dealing
III hIttuid'lons anu me drsudCtlODss lUt Otitr "A
mere hustings politician, groy Poyson never rising
above the most common place orgumeatum nd cap
fandHm hominem. When il can be yentured upon
| with mpunity, he relieves his common places with
clustering brufum fuirasa.
Mr. Douglas apprehended principle or
comprehensed theory. Philosophy is a sealed
book TO him, craftsmanship mere word. and
| not o noble science. 1T is only necessary to con
trast his speeches in the present controversy with
Mr.. Walkers letter Of resignation or with Mr.. Sew
I ards oral essay in defence of popular rebellion
TO be convinced of Mr. Douglass utter inferioriiy
either philosophist tbeorist. 1t is only neces-
sary contrast these late speeches of his with
the admirable exposition of the doctrine of consttu-
tions in the opening half Of Mr.. Jlammonds late
axiom to he convinced Of Mr. Douglass total lack
Of profound ststesmaushp and political philoso-
phy.
What is TO be the future Of these men cannot. of
course, be foretold. Endowed with great inellects
powerful for good or evil, they viii he employed
on one side other Of every great controversy but
il is doubtful whether il can be in any other capa
city than as hewcrs Of wood and drawers Of water
to The htigant parties. Mere dislectcians mere de-
haters they can only be used workers they can
l.as sr,Dta aI iixa Marty t...l.