The Placer herald., 1858-06-12
Stephen A. Douglas and the Democracy.

Stephen A. Douglas and the Democracy.
The fol owing article we take from the
Mountain Democrat, journal which vigor-
ously upheld Mr. Douglas until he made his
last sad blu"der in voting with the Black
Republicans against the Conference Kansas
bill:
I'VE are sadly disappointed by ths course
pursued 10y Senator Dong La on the till re-
ported by the Kansas Conference Committee
lie has been so h"nore,! by the Democratic
party. his allegiance to that party has cen
so faithful and earnest, and he has expressed
his views upon the Lerompt"n Constitution
question in So colclia:ory and courteous a
manner, that we believed he would lie con
tent with any disposition of that vexati.us
question which, in reality, secured to the
people ct Kansas, the right to adopt nr re.
jert the Lec"mp'on Constitution. This the
Committee bill does; nor ran the land pro.
position it contains he objectionable to Mr..
Douglas, for the "Crittenden Amendment
which received his support, contained pre-
r'scly the same proposition.
sour personal regard for Mr.. Douglas, as
evidenced by the unwavprng support we
have in days past given him, and the acknow.
edged strength he adds TO tie party in his
own aud other Stales, makes us reluctant
even t" believe that he has forever severed
his connection with that party But we are
'a,hed 10 confess that 10 captious oII,osi
ton TO the Administration alone can we at.
tribute his last vote. 1t is perfectly certain
nat the honest and conservative portion of
the citizens of Kansas and of the Union.
earnestly desired the ban,shmpnt from Con.
gress of that question with all its attendant
evils; that to the ser,i"naliSts alone can it's
farther discussion he of any benefit.
"Mr. Douglas must have known, no man
knew better, thai the peXce If the nation
depended upon the speedy abatement of
the Kansas excitement. An opportunity
WAS offered him which offered to aIav tha,
excitement, TO restore tra,erna sentimen,
among the people Of the several States. in
I'm etfert) the very manner he had so ably
r"'nte'i out. But he deliberately declined
/" act with the National men of the country.
sp"rns the concessions mcde by the .Adminis
f1df'on t" himself and friends, and takes his
position with the men who went into the
last Presidential contest under banner Of
sixteen Stars
WIN tie result 10 himself we have no.
thing to do. If his intention is. and his las,
vote indicates that it is, to Withdraw from
the National Democracy. to seek political
prefermeni at the hands f the se,tionalists
and henceforih to worship at the shrine
lose who recognize the exis'e"ce nf a law
higher and more potent than that of cur
glorious Constitution, our admiration for him
cannon induce us 20 accompany BIN on his
;:rtary pilgrimage If he will Lave the,
party his departure will he regretted, as is
that of the waywar'l and prodigaI, but loved,
son from the parental root. But q will not.
cannot induce any Of his old political asso
ciaes to follow him Those men, in the
language of the leading Douglas paper il,
his own State, will stand bv him So long as
he Recognises his party ohliw tions and is
devoted to the grea principles which have
united the party since The days Of Jefferson"
Bnt when he spurns The obl icalinn of party
a'"i "''o"'l"ns lis principles, he will find him
self among TIE men VIII" now talter but to
b. lay him, without tie colln,enance r SUP.
port OF tho Democracy. We still cherish
the hope that his alienation is but utlemporary."