The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-11-11
THE NATIONAL ERA WASHINGTON, D. c. NOVEMBER II, 1858
A DEMOCRATIC TRIUMPH.

/ "If the Democratic party has triumphed in IL
linois, it has been at its own expense, in con-
sideration of Joining in the Black Republican
clamor against the aLecompton fraud and
swindle.' 1t is a triumph barren and ignomin-
ious-it is a triumph over which the Black Re-
| pubhcaus have reason to exult, and do exult
more than the good and true Democracy.
~ We repeat, that q victory, won. upon a
charge of fraud and delinquency of principle,
| against the Democracy, is not a
victory oyer which we can rejoice, or from
which we can expect any advantage or honor
to the great party in whose service we labor :
| Washington Union.
| The Union has not overstated the humilia-
ton of the Democratic party by the result OF
the Illinois election. Not only must the Fed
eral Administration partake of the disgrace
and ignominy which this triumph of Douglas
reflects, but the whole party south of Mason
and Dixons line come in for an equal portion OF
it. Every man in Congress who voted for the
admission of Kansas under the Lecompton
Constitution, every newspaper which defended
it, every citizen who gave his voice in its favor,
shares in the rebuke.
The friends of Mr.. Douglas, even before the
smoke of the battle clears up, have proclaimed
him as the Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dency. He is to ride "rough-shod" over all
competitors, and to receive the Charleston nom
nation by reclamation, as the only adequate
reward of his heroic and triumphant campaign
in the vindication of Popular Sovereignty"
against the supporters of the Lecompton
fraud and swindle."
We, of course, claim no right to interfere in
the family quarrels of the Democracy" but
we cannot but express our admiration in ad-
vance, at the spirit of forgiveness which the
suggestion of nomination of Mr.. Douglas at
Charleston implies. Such an event could not
take place without complete Transformation
of the characters of the shareholders, from that
of proud and naughty dictators, into meek and
submissive doughfaces. The old prophets, we
know, have foreshadowed period when the
lamb and the lion are to lie down together, and
we rejoice in believing them; but latter
day seers would have us believe that the sheep
are to conquer the wolves, and lead them cap
tive
The friends of Mr. Douglas propose to
give him a triumphal reception on his return to
the Capital which shall eclipse all Greek and
Roman ia me-" The day will be one Of humili-
alton, fasting, and prayer, to the Administration
and the whole Lecompton swindle party; and
it will be interesting to see the Southern Demo
cratic delegation hasten in a body to make
their De ace with tho victorious champion of
Popular Sovereignty, and receive his forgive
ness He branded their favorite measure as
the "Lecompton fraud and swindle," and he
comes back to Washington to receive their APP
plause and the pledge of their suffrages in
1860! The day of Pentecost was not cir
cumstance to the scene of humiliation and re-
pentance which our eyes are to witness when
the representatives of whole people take upon
themselves sackcloth and ashes for their sins.
On that day we shall see the naughty and inn
perious Davis lower his crest, the rascible
Toombs and the malevolent Clay will "roar you
as gently as any sucking dove" the trenchant
Stephens will become oiy-tongued, and the fire.
devouring disunionist, Keitt will sit at the feet
of the conqueror and imbibe the new gospel of
Popular Sovereignty with the docility of a true
pentent.
But where shall the President and Cabinet
appear in that day of triumph for their conquer
or? Shalfthey follow in chains the chariot wheels
ofthe victor, like the captive kings ofold? twill
be melancholy spectacle-the venerable white
haired President and the no less venerable
brown-wigged Secretary of State trudging
through the mud or dust of the Capital, followed
by the rotund head of the Treasury yoked
with the lean and cadaverous commander of the
Navy-but we will pursue the gloomy picture
no further, t.. I'D