The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-14


prom n. n Y. Herald. July -, 1881
We transfer 10 our columns this morning an article
from the Washington Union OF Friday last in which
that partisan organ undertakes 10 answer and deny the
position OF the Herald as TO the present Generalization
OF the democratic party, North, South and West The
Union sets out by affirming what il says the Herald adj
mitsthat the successes of the administration so far have
been the solid triumphs of principle faction and that
such victories always nure 20 the exclusive benefit of the
democratic party This Is two-fod proposition part of
which IS true and part fllasous We not only edmit
but claim aud have always claimed that the success of
the measures brought out hitherto in the staesmanlike
course OF Mr. buchanan administration has been tIi-
umph OF principle over faction But that is asserting or
admitting nothing in favor OF The democratic party We
have always drawn the distinctions distinction which
mere partisan organs like the Union incapable OF draw
between great measures onatonal policy and sound
craftsmanship and those have their origin
simply in the base, contemplate spirit of party The sue
cesses of the administration successes achieved in
measures of the former character and it because we
regarded them in that light that gave TO them
test support.
They were ''triumphs of principle over faction" But
on which side the actionstsi Clearly and unde-
nibly on the side Of the democratic party 1t was the
secedes the demoaized and disintegrating element of
that party that nteposed all the obstacles and mped
ments to the free of the President policy and
were it not, have heretofore shown for the aid
which was rendered by liberal minded members of the
opposition not solitary brought forward in the
last session OF Congress- whether to carry out the policy
OF the administration or To make appropriations for the
expense of government could have been carried They
were indeed 'tTiumphs of principle faction
democratic faction but cannot understand the logic
which justes the Union in saying that such victories
always inure to the exclusive benefit of the democratic
party" Why should be so, why that should be the
effect we are at loss TO conceive, when they not
won by that party.
Here it is again that the Union shows its incapacty to
make the distinction between the great elevated ma
tonal policy Of conservative administration and mis-
cradle hucksering make shifts Of party Because the
present incumbent of the presidential chair the
ddate put forward by the democratic party it assumes
and argues that assumption, that all the of his
administration must be governed by party considera
tons 1t would thus bring the cabinet of Mr. buchanan
having in charge the mighty interests Of this great ma
ton, down to the level Of Iammany Hall Council of
Sachems assembled to devise for parcelng out
the public plumber and for selling the public Offices to
undeseryers. What sort Of position is this to be
taken by the reputed organ of the administration Is
this the sort Of service renders to its patrons Better
for it to cone itself exclusively TO the publication
advertisements for mail lettings in which but
few mail contractors discover any meaning feel
any interest than thus njure by its unwse advocacy
the cause to which it is absurdy supposed to render
vice
The Unn, in the article to which we alude goes on
TO speak Of two three troublesome questions which the
administration inherited and which had been thrust
upon the party by fierce demagogues and says that the
Herald will agree with it that in meeting and overcoming
these difficulties the President achieved signal triumph
Most undoubtedly he did. That is what we have all
in the Lecompton matter but the democratic party did
not The contest the democratic party, North and
South, rent into fragments, section opposing the
measure at one time for Insignificant cause, and
other section opposing it at another time for another and
an equally insignificant cause. But calmly and mper
turbably the President looked down upon these SQUAD
bDgs of the factions He felt that he had acted upon
great and immutable principle, and that, however his
course might be assailcd from the side from the
other its correctness would be eventually recognised by
Congress and the nation The high statesmanlike stand
which he took cowed and deferred the renegades and
slammed them back into their proper orbit and he had
the satisfaction of seeing the whole army Of nggcrwor
shippers in Congress- headed by the venerable Gddngs
come forward and, by voting Tor the Crittenden- Mont
gomery amendment, abure all their former the
subject of slavery, and perform solemn auto dp f That
WAS indeed q triumph of principle faction--but,
again repeat it not triumph OF the democratic
party. 1t triumph of national administration.
The Union however, does not see 1t in that light 1t
has comprehension of appreciation for, anything
but party and it claims that this and other events of
the last session have strengthened the democratic party
else they would not be victories but practical defeats
And yet with looseness of logic that is refresngy
naiue, it byandby does admit that there many
members Of Congress who like fruit picked from the pop
ular tree before is fully ripe require good deal Of
brushing and rubbing to give them the appearance
of maturity and perfection " and that "thee Others
again, who have been much in the public service
not clearly to understand whether they belong to the
State the State belongs to them In plain language
this means that many of the new members unman-
ageabe, and that the old members unmanageable
Well that being the the Unions showing,
think not very far astray when we proclaim
ed the utter Reorganization of the democratic party
The Lnea, however, with perspicacity that does it
credit, and which should not have expected to
manifested by it, finds out the difference between the
Herald and it to bchat it supports democratic prnci
pies and organizations and that the Herald supports dem
ocrac principles and quite Indifferent to organizations
There the Union hits the nail right the head It may
be, as it is the organ of party The Herald occupies
higher ground 1t is the organ of no party of organ
ization, of clique of set of scoundrey politicians
who meet inflow gogshops and dispose of nominations to
office to the highest bidder its anmatng principle is the
peace honor and prosperity of the nation at large What
administration Of whatever party guides Its policy
other than great national, statesmanke principles
will oppose we have opposed whatever adminstra
ton of whatever party guides its policy great national
statesmanke principles will support and maintain
do that of Mr.. Buchanan. There is our whole
tice Of political faith.
Tm GREAT MEDIuM--It would seem That the spirits
have done handsome thing for Mr.. Hume, the
American medium, who has figured largely in