The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-09-16
b@- Mr.. Wheeler is the accredited agent for
the Era, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WASHINGTON, D. G.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER Is, 1859.

THUhSDAI, SEfIEMbEh 10, 1909.
H6- Having been absent for the last two
months, we have not had an opportunity of
commenting upon the movements recently d.
rected towards " Fusion" as it is styled. We
have time now only TO indicate our dissent from
the policy advocated BY the New York 7tibu,se,
and to express the opinion that such fusion
as was attempted OF Syracuse between two Par
ties, directly ct Issue on fundamental questions,
would have discredited both, and seriously, if
not vitality, injured the Republican organiza-
uon. ~ lHa.H LaAtt--t'a
PREsIDxNTIAL INTKRvKNTI0H.
In some of the States, the Administration is
experiencing difficulty in maintaining its po-,
sition With its own party. 1t has relied on the,
machinery and discipline of organization, aided
BY the millions Of patronage which it dispen-
ses, for support, and net on the rectituds of its
measures and the soundness of its principles.
The President has evidently never placed q
high estimate on these last, and feels that he
. little indebted to them for the place he oc-
cupies. But, while he has little regard for
principle, he is q full believer in the potency
of party, and feels assured that he can make il
omnipotent to carry out whatever policy be
may dictate.
1t 20 happens, however, that the very meas,
ures on which he relied have involved himself
and bis friends in embarrassment In deciding
and selecting the policy of his Administration
on the subject of enforcing the Lecompton
Constitution upon the people of Kansas against
their will, he failed to carry with him many Of
his earnest and ablest supporters. This raised
an issue between them and him, requiring that
one or the other should surrender. The re-
cusants were deemed as worse than the Black
Republicans, who occupied the same ground of
hostility to that usurpation and the pride Of
the President, his party feelings, and whole
mind, forbade him from retracing his steps,
and abandoning o MEASURE that his opponents
had told him was wrong. The meritsor dement's
of the question, he and his partisans would not
canvass, but, having made it party measure,
the party were required to sustain it. All the
officials from Maine to California were warned,
his policy-shst it was test question-that If
any ventured TO investigate the matter, or look
to the right or wrong of the policy which the
Administration had adopted, they would incur
the displeasure of the Central authorities.
Every custom-house, land ofice, navy agen-
cy, marshal, attorney, postmaster, contractor,
and Government dependant of every descrip-
ton, were converted into party outPosts and
vigilance committees, caucuses and conventions
we're convened, and the whole party machinery
invoked to support the policy of the Admins
| ,ration, and to put down, excommunicate, and
drive from the party, those whoopposed that poll.
cy. The reins of party discipline were at once
strictly drawn, for the emergency demanded it.
Mr.. Buchanan was to be upheld or overthrow
in the first great and prominent measure of his
| Administration.
Obedieut to the call, the cffice-holders exerted
themselves, the party organization was appeal
ed to but here commenced the difficulty. II
was found in many of the States that the or
ganization, machinery, and the whole party
harness, were in the possession of those opposed
to the Lecompton policy. Here is dilemma,
t..~-.--..--~-~---~----e --sA.-----A-----
opposed to the Administration which assumes
to be the party, and each feels the embarrass-
ment. Just at this time, Illinois lie the most
conspicuous in the conflict between the Central
and State organizations of the party. In other
words, the policy of the Administration is not
the policy of the Democrats of Illinois. Under
these circumstances, no alternative was left for
the Administration, but that of boiling from the
regular organization, and it accordingly bolted.
The postmasters, contractors, and other Off
cials, have had separate Convention, nomi.
mated separate ticket, and are making war
upon "the party" because the party win not
endorse the policy of the Administration.
There is more asperity and vindictiveness in
the Illinois ENHANCEMENT, from the fact that
Senator Douglas was in the front ranks of those
who resisted the policy of Mr.. Buchanan, and
has steadily refused TO abandon the ground be
took in opposition to the President, as to the
right of the people to decide for themselves in
regard to their own Constitution, and the ques
ton of his return to the Senate is involved in
the pending election. 1t is not disguised that
the President desires he should be defeated,
and that the central Government is using its
power to accomplish it. This open interven-
ton of the Federal Government and its COM
bined horde of offce-holders to control State
election is not in harmony with the theory of
the Government, nor with the practice of the
earlier Presidents. Mr.. Jefferson, when Presi-
dent, wrote Mr.. Gallatin, then Secretary of the
Treasury, II think the officers of the Federal
Government are meddling too much with the
public elections. Will it be best to admonish
them privately or by proclamation ?' What a
contrast between the President of that day and
this, when the officers of the Federal Govern
ment, instead of being admonished not to med.
die with elections, are stimulated by the AID.
ministration to intermeddle, and elected from
Office if they do not make themselves active.
No one would feel disposed to censure James
Buchanan, if he expressed degree of grati6-
cation over the struggles and defeat of Stephen
A. Douglas-the two never cordially sympa.
thizing, and occupying at this time different,
and, it is not to be concealed, hostile attitudes
The triumph of one must be the defeat of the
other. Each feels this, and the sentiment
overpowers any conventional arrangement to
reunits them. 1t was expected by the Admin.
istration and its friends that Douglas, in view
of the difficulties and obstacles which iuterpos
ed, would make an attempt to appease and pro
pitiate the President on his return to Chicago.
Intimations to this effect were thrown out in
various quarters, intended to open the way for
an armistice. Patronising regrets were ex.