Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-02-25
New Political OrganizatiOns.-T
Democratic Party,


The Jackson Mississippian well and
truthfully says; " Every crisis in the
affairs of the country, aud every impor-
tant national question which has arisen
for the adjustment of Congress since the
foundation of our government, has pro-
duced, to greater or less extent new
political combinations and changes IN the
construction of parties. Some, as the
Democratic party for instance, may be
permanent in their organization and re-
tain the same general characteristics from
first to last; but the individuals compo-
sing them, as might naturally be expected
among people free from hereditary
classification, are far from being perma-
nent in their attachments. These are
changed with changing interests and So
ciai relations, by motives Of popularity
and personal ambition, or by difference
of opinion in regard to measures which
are necessarily the test of party fidelity.
In England, man who is born to the
peerago may be safely set down for tory
all his lifetime but in the United States
it often occurs that citizens prominent in
politics, in the course of q long series of
years, change their party associations,
if not their general views and principles.
Such new political combinations are oc-
curing at every step in our national ca
reer. Every new issue which presents
itself, and every complication in our do
nestle or foreign policy, develops a new
party in opposition to that great Demo
cratic organization which is devoted to
the maintenance OF the federal compact
in its original spirit and integrity.
Indeed, opposition to the Democracy,
whatever ground it may assume, or means
adopted to carry out its primary objects,
has always been the life and essence Of
every temporary combination which has
arisen to contest the field OF national
politics and strive for the control of the
/ federal government. Even the Demo
cratic party itself is not individually the
same at various stages Of its existence
While preserving its name and distinc.
tive principles, and maintaining its posi-.
ton and ascendency through nearly every
great struggle, both elective and legisla.
tive, since the adoption of the constitu.
ton, it has, nevertheless, like the human
Body, which is constantly assimmilating
and rejecting its consistent elements, un.
dergone many material changesof com.
position in the course of a single gener.
alton. Upon the policy of the last wal
with Great Britain and the war witt
| Mexico, upon the question both Of tho
\ establishment and repeal of the Missouri
compromise, upon the issue Of the ad,
mission of Texas, of national bank
the Independent treasury, the tariff, the
compromise measures, the Kansas Ne
braslia act, Native Americanism, and al
the ever varying, never ending phases o
anti-slayery, the Democratic party has
lost and won multitude Of adherents
among the masses as well as in the walk
Of public life, without in the least affect
| ing its integrity or arresting its trium
plant progress. Although the position
it assumed in reference to each of thes
issues was the Signal for the desertion O
many of its trusted and prominent lead
ers, and though its enemies, as now
! predicted its defeat and speedy dissolu
ton when graphing with these momen
tuous questions, the result not only prove,
them false prophets, but vindicated tn,
wisdom of its policy, and ultimatel,
strengthened and consolidated It's organ
ization.p