The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-15
THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE THE REPUBLICANS
AMERICANS. ..THE DOUGLAS DEMOCRACY"

4
This coalition have achieved signal triumph in
Pennsylvania We would take nothing from their
victory. They won it by hard work. We are con-
tent that they shall mako the most of it. The cen
trail power of the Alliance in the republicans.
They had overgrown all the Americans, who had
fallen away into mere shoots Of old stump-the
rubbish of q neglected fallow. "Tbe Douglas do
mocracy' came in latc but played an efficient and
powerful part They arrived just in season to turn
the fate of tho day We are glad to SEQ. that the
Tribune speaks frankly on this subject. We quote
from its Wednesdays issue
LET not misstate ovestatc this triumph The
republicans have nobly contributed to it, but they have
not alone achieved It, Inc great body OF the Americans
have heartily coopcraed with Them and the elaborate
attempt to draw off votes straight American tickets
Philadelphia has had little effect The union for
territory, pure elections and protection to home indus
try hearty and solid to be shaken by the tricks
of demagogues bought and owned by the common adj
versary. @
But the republicans and Americans united could not
hayo sweeping victory without the powerful aid
Of he Douglas democracy These faithful deyotees of the
doctrine Of popular Sovereignty organized and led by
John W. Foney had resolved to punish the recreans who
devised and urged the Lecompton fraud, and they
have done it most effectuay."
We give the Tribune tho full benefit Of its bulle-
tin, and we credit that journal with all candor in
awarding to its friends in tho fight their proper
share Of the glory which tho coalition have achieved
in the elections. OF course, we need not say that
the Tribune is tho very last authority we would
quote in defence Of honest American politics 1t is
an abolition Journal, and such does powerful SER
vice in the cause of scctonalsm. It's whole pur-
pose is to create an impossible gulf between the
II has hal
of tho Douglas democracy" in the late elections,
without which the Tribune is frank enough to say
the republicans and Americans alone could not have
accomplished their signal work in Pennsylvania and
other States.
We have commended in this controversy for the SUI
premacy of the constitution, and have broadly main
tanned that ''thc Douglas democracy were doing
great and important service to the republican party
For thus pointing out what is now conceded by the
republican press, and what they publicly acknow-
ledge, have been assaiIcd by democratic states
men and Journals, North and South. In regard to
the subject-matter itself-the maintenance Of the
true principles of the constitution and uphoding the
decision Of the Supreme Court defining their practi
cal government-we have just this to say We have
wholly disrcgarded the policy Of elections, and
sought to do justice to the cause at the risk, if
necessary, of mourning temporary defeats.
II is not the first time in the history Of the demo-
cratic party that its nominal friends have deserted
it in the hour Of danger, and added their " power
full add to tho cause of tho opposition. We may
count by the names of those whose faith was
not strong enough TO bear the crosses Of severe In
tcgrity and fidelity to principles.
The Philadelphia North American speaks thus Of
the election
Republicans, Americans, democrats, wings and 9TH
ers, equally patriotic of different organizations united
heartily and honestly with this OCCASION and to
each and all belong the credit of the victory which
has been achieved In the ullness Of noble triumph
we concede to every interest its share of tho general t
umph'
Hore again is the truth boldly proclaimed, and the
credit awarded to tho vctors according to their SER
vice in tho work which has been accomplished by
their joint labors We have nothing in the world
to add to this exhibition in vindcation of the Justice
Of our cause and of the results Of the recent cleo
tions
It was perhaps to be expected, in contest SO
suddenly precpitated upon the country, that there
would be many hbcralmindcd democrats in the
North and in the South who would fail to discern
in the conduct Of Mr. Douglas and his associate, "de
mocracy," real hostility 10 the great party which it
is tho purpose Of tho republicans to PROSTATE and
degrade. They have not been quick to see that
voting and acting with the opposition are wholly in
consistent with true devotion to the principles Of the
democratic organization, to tho overthrow Of which
they have contributed their powerful aid" We
trust the truth will now work its way to light; and
that friends at last viii be able to detect as enc
mics to cause all those who arc found in tho ser
vice of the opposition.
" !