New-York daily tribune., 1858-12-31

StdLen lBia00.
Mr.. DOUGLAS is the guest Of the city, and has
heard that virtuous citizen, Mr. Alderman Nc
Spedon, read aloud the asseveration that the
people of New.York regard him aud his public
course with unqualified admiration and sympathy;
after which he took the precious document from
Mr.. McSpedon, and put it in bis breeches pocket
to keep as treasure for his poserity. Apart from
this official visit, he has received the cards Of some
noticeable and some unnotceable persons, and will
tJ.day take his stand in the City Hall, amid the
cold .plendors of the Governors Room, to shake
hands with the Democratic masses-a transaction
which would be fatguing to man Of muscle less
tough and compact.
There can be no doubt that Mr.. Douglas is now,
par e1eelltnce the representative of the Democ
racy of the Free States. man of the people,
without much supertluous refinement of mind or
manner, ready to take chew Of tobacco or q
drink of whisky with any fellow in the first bar
room, be carries off in triumph the hcile admira-
ton of the rowdy crowd who adorn the lower
walks of human society; while the pughstic quail
ity and prodgious force of his intellect, the reck.
less quickness of his attack, and the unequalled
game and pluck of his defense, render him
formidable figure in every contest in which
he may bear a part. 1t is true that bis
mental constitution, as exhibited in his political
career, is not of sort to command the admiration
of severe critics or to insure him place among the
great statesmen and orators of the country. 1t
lacks at once the charm of the imagination and
the fascinations Of both wit and sentiment; while
it seems equally destitute of the guiding influence
of sacred love of truth, and careful observance
of the lines which sunder her domains from those
Of falsehood. Nor has Mr. Douglas evlnced the
sAnnrn.tv and ma ON animitv uh;"h 49, =: ,:r III
in great popular leader but in displays
Of talent and in the INSCRIPTIONS rough-and tumble
conflict of partisan politics, he is without peer;
and accordingly he is the hero, and, at this mo.
ment, tho indisputable chief of the NOrthera
Democracy.
This is none the less true because the throng
who surround him here does not contain the recog-
nzed managers of the Democratic organization in
New.York. 1t is none the less true because Tam
many Hall stands aoOf from him; while the Gus
tOm-House and the Post Office are alike slow aud
cold in their civilties. Indeed it is all the more
true on that account. The oficeholders and man.
ayers of the party, whatever may be their private
feelings, do not dare to make themselves conspcu-
ous scarcely even to be seen among the friends of
the illinois Senator. They know the penalty that
would attach to such an ofense against their COM
mon master, who already regards them with just
suspicion. Besides, these gentlemen, trained to an
easy and universal skepticsm and ready to embrace
all principles with equal feryOr, have as yet no
enthusiastic respect for that peculiar dogma of
Popular Sovereignty with which Mr. Douglas
has become identified. When it gets into power,
they will doubtless be its jealous adherents;
but as yet they are not ready to become mar
tyrs for it, and to lose their pleasant Offices and
salaries as its confessors. Hence the curious fact
that, while Mr.. Douglas is the favorise of the rank
and file of the Democracy, be is regarded with
jealousy and distrust by the officers and fuglemen.
BY way of explanation and apology, the latter &C.
cuse him of disloyaty to the party and OF dispo-
siton to mOnOpolize and direct its organization for
bis own profit. They charge him with being
demagogue and despOt-vews which, Of course,
will be likely to undergo great change should be
ever come into power and have patronage to bestow
upon his followers.
But, as We say, the masses of the party do not in
the least share this feeling. 1t does not make them
shudder to be told that Mr. Douglas is by nature
demagogue and depot. What they appreciate is
the fact that he has beaten all his opponents in
Illinois, and above all that he has put to
total rout Federal Administration which they
both de,pise and are ashamed Of. They like the
nan, and more than that, they like the doctrine OF
Popular Sovereignty. The simple truth (and We
are none the less impartial witnesses because We
oppose both the party and the prncple) is that this
doctrine is now the living faith Of the Democratic
party Of the North They hold to it warmly, fanas-
cally almost as an essential and most vital part OF
the Democratic creed; and in this belief they are
beyond the capacity ofchanse. With this universal
sentiment Of the masses of bis party to support
him, it is matter Of very little Importance to
Mr.. Douglas that he 10 feared and hated BY Its
Official leaders, and that many great men among
them affect to sneer 1T his position and presensions
A man of his power, with such backing cannot
easily be put down; and We fancy that these Demo-
cratic masnates who have undertaken to put hun
down will presently find It out.
We have before US printed copy of the com
plant lately fled in the Supreme Court OF the CITY