The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-28

runs may read. We are utterly amazed that any
true democrat should be satisfied with considering
the controversy going in the State Of Illinois
as involving only the question of choice between
Lincoln and Douglas. That question might properly
arise among black-republicans and men having no
other political principles than opposition to the dem.
ocratic organisation but how il can be entertained
By democrats is astonishing. Outside and perhaps
in the State of Illinois, the question was with great
proprey discussed by those feeling interest in the
success of the blackrepubcan cause as to tho pro-
prety of taking Douga instead Of Lincoln The New
York Tribune led off in favor of Douglas and thought
his party had made great mistake in opposing him.
That organ which has heretofore been considered as
extreme on the slavery question, was satisfied with
Mr.. Douglass position before the country Many
others of the Tribune schS6l were willing. not
only as matter Of policy, but upon principle, to
take Mr.. Douglas, relying upon his antecedents for
his future course II seems, however, that what
in the beginning of this controversy was a ques
ton exclusively within the province of those sympa
thzing with the blackrepubicans to settle and adjust
has been taken by some few who are now acting
with The democratic party, and they arc attempt
ing to convince themselves that aB party men
they are called upon to choose between Lincoln
and Douglas. The only ground that we have yet
seen taken by these misguided friends of the demo-
cratic party is the assumption that either Lincoln or
Douglas must DO elected and the latter is The lesser
evil For tho very same reason the democratic par
ty would long since have been annihilated in Nlassa-
chusetts Vermont and other northern States il they
had abandoned their principles and wo are to-day
indebted to that gaantwng of the party for the pros
poet of eectng several members to the next Congress
Their devotion to principles alone has kept and will
continue to keep them independent political or
ganizaton, from which the national democracy have
received much aid and encouragement Let our
friends beware Of being deceived; it is no question
for the democratic party, any portion Of it, to de-
termno whom they will select for United States sena.
tor from Illinois AZ between Douglas or Lincoln
their mission is to stand by their principles and if
they are in the minority, fall in their defence, rather
than surrender ON account of their weakness a
question OF incalculable magnitude, and especially
with southern mon, arises as to the effect upon the
democratic party of the overthrow of Mr. Buchan-
ans administration 1t may be affected in some
measure by cutting down it's friends in the north
ern States. There is not an anti Lecompton dem
ocrat from tho North who was in the last Con-
gress that has any sympathy with the present
administration. In some localities they are open
ly opposing the regular nominee of the demo-
cratic party in others they are insidiously at
tempting to stab the organization by claiming the
vesture of the peoples candidate and in others they
are trying to throw upon them the responsibility of
eIecting backrepublicanB instead of those who
claim to be democrats but who are more than accept
able to the New York Tribune 81 I'd oune genus The
attempt is too shallow to deceive any orthodox
democrat who has the interest of his party at stake
and opne that the number that will be led of
by any such false Issue Douglas or Lincoln will be
easily counted. The true issue, not only in Illinois
but in every State in the Union, is the adminisra
ton of Mr.. Buchanan, tho representative of the
democratic party against all opposition, whether alb
open enemies or false friends.