Daily national Democrat., 1859-06-16
The Political Field.

In glancing over the history OF our coun-
trv since The commencement of the Admins
tration of James Buchanan, We are struck
with the great change which has taken
plaee in the political order of things. At
the time of his election the Democrats fight
ing for the doctrines proclaimed by the Gin
cinnati Platform, had broken up the Ameri-
can party. and gained so proud triumph
over the Republicans, that it was thought
they would not be able to reorganize their
forces. at least for some time to come. The
doctrines proclaimed by this party were at
utter varience with Democratic principles
We recollect that in this State they boldly
proclaimed the power of Congress to regulate
the affairs of territory. They were met by
the Democracy upon that question on all oc-
casions. SO it was in the Atlantic States
The great wonder is. that proclaiming such
doctrines they succeeded in making so good
fight. Now. this party is without doubt
stronger than ever. and is preparing itself for
another Presidential campaign, confident of
success To make good their fight, they
have stolen Democratic thunder, and pretend
TO be Observation-Disclosures. They will use
this thnnder for the time being-at any rate.
so long asst serves their purPose-but wheth-
er they will use it efficiently remains to be
seen.
Now, we ask, why it is that the Republi-
can party is shifting its position in regard to
Intervention by Congress in the Territories
The answer is, that a large portion of the
Democratic party has abandoned its princi
Piles, and by claiming the right of Congress
to protect slavery in the Territories, has Civ
en- to the Republicans, who act only from
policy, the opportunity of also changing
front.
At the time that President Buchanan com
menced his Administration, it was considered
that the chief question at issue between the
two great parties in the country, (the Demo
cratic and Republican parties,) was the ques
ton OF Popular Sovereignty. But since then
great change fas taken place in political
affairs, which no one dreamed of at the time
of the last Presidential election. Senators
processing to be Democrats have repudiated
the principles Of the Democratic faith and
Republican leaders chant n new song in their
war against slavery. All this has arisen
from the course of the President and his sup
porters, in regard to Kansas The arbitrary
ruling of the President on the Kansas ques-
ton, and his consequent abandonment of the
Democratic belief, has given rise to the pro
mitigation of doctrine by his chief support
ers. which isthe very opposite of sound Dem
ocratc doctrine, and which smacks consider
ably of the Republican belief Is it not
strange that knowing we'll this, Lecompton
papers will harp about what they are pleased
to term a union Of the Douglas Democracy
with the Republicans? When has the Doug
las Democratic party swerved one hairs
breadch from the principles OF the Democrat
ic faith? Has any member of that party
ever proclaimed such doctrines as those pro-
claimed by the supporters of James Buchan.
an in the Senate?
If the Republicans profess at the present
time to believein the existence of such thing
as popular sovereignty, let President Buchan-
an and his supporters answer why it is.