New-York daily tribune., 1859-05-18
DEmOCIATIC REUNION.

Just As sunt. of the rural Administration journals
are growing jubiant over the proposed Reunion OF
our State Democracy, and while THE TRIBUNE is
engaged il promoting this object by pointing out
the rocks on which prryious rcunlUns have spli, Ia
pieces, TIE 1hans Afias and Argus comes olit
with two-column article rcyiying the old quarrel
between the Hunkcts and Barnburuers, the hards
and S0fts, to the mode of appointing delegates
IL the National Convention, whether b, tongrrs-
sionpl Districts or State COnventon-the former
method being the fayorite of the Hards aud the al-
trI Of the Sots. This vexed question, which sent
two sets of delegates TO Baltimore in io45 and lost
this State to Gen. Cass, was supposed to have been
settled on ga satisfactory basis" in lSJl-2 by the
adoption Of the District system.
But there seems to be no end to these feuds, and
We are getting almost discouraged IN our efforts To
adjust them on az equitable basis. They have ex-
ceeded in yiruence those Of any other political fac
tions in the country Flavorcd with the peculiar
animosiy of faml, quarrels, they have been more
bitter than the black cockade conflicts OF the Fed
erulists and Republicans OF the times of Adams and
jefferson The Bucktail and Clintonian contests
Of our State. and the Wolf and Muhlenberg
fights cf Pennsy yyania, were civilized warfare CON-
pared TO the scapngs aud tomahawkugs, the JOlb
stabbings aud Guy Famkes plottiugs o' these Hunk
er-IIard aud Barubnrner-S0tt brethren. Though
not quite as sanguniary, they are rs emnentl! en-
titled to become historic as the wars of the English
roses. They have not yet been made classic, but
hey will afford richer materials for the muse OF
some future Shakespeare than the quarrels OF the
ancient houses of Capulct and Montague. Upon
the whole We think their apest parallel, their live
lest prototype, is the hereditary feud OF the Zero
n,m0 and LeOni families OF Corsica 50 graphically
depicted in the "Tbumping Legacy" wherein
every BarnburnerO Of that famous island was bound
at sight to slay every Hunkrr which favor was to
he rrciprocaird in kiud whenever Huuherl could
lay his eyes ou a Baruburnero IL common defeats
and COMMON disgrnces have oi late little m0il'iicd
the hereditary hatred Of our New-lork iactons
toward each other, at the first gleam OF prosperity
We tear the reconciliation Ito quote the sick High
laDder) will 60 for nothing, and the old grudge
stand good-as, for instance, during the Fierce
Administration.
An historical diagnosis Of the New-l orb DemOc-
rscy tends to show that family fcuds are the chronic
condition Of the party. Forty years ago, Martin
Van Buren became It's leader. He founded the
Albany Regency. Composed OF Van Buren,
Wright, Marcy Cros"cll, Flugg, KnOwer, Talcot,
and Butler, 1t exhibited such skill in combining
masses Of men, that under lis guidance the party
became the bestdsc pliued political organization
in the country. The Regeuc, received it. first Sc
rious check in the defeat If Marcy by Seward. 10
l>:Is, and fell finally on the overthrow ol Van bu'
rem il the Presidential struggle of iSi0. DI.sen-
sious now crcpt into it, ranss but fair snow of
discipline was maIDtuiued TIL the defeat OF an
Burtn in the Baltimore Couscrtion of i-i4-a re-
suit attributed 10 the secret schempgs OF Marcy,
who was growing iralous Of Wright, the iasorlte
coupseor of Van Buren,. The party now broke
into two factions which, with some m"difcatinns.
exist TO this day The trcaebery OF Tyler and the
generosity OF Wright enabled il 10 carry this State
in the memorable contest of l-ii, thus elryating
Polk to the Presidency over the head of Clay-s
victory which the Barnhurners of the Wright and
Butler school. to whom Polk turned traitor, lived
to rue.
For these fifteen years past, the Democracy OF
Nrw-lurk has been torn 10y truds, originating in
part from adverse principles and policies, bat
manly from the Jealousy, ambition AID trescheg
of |. aders. The sections may be cassed in gen.
eral terms rs conservatives and radicals the
familiar designations being Hunkers and Barn
burpers In the varying exigencies Of the long
fight, these original names have faded away; old
rallying cries have given place t" new some chief
tain. have temponrI. changed places; large
masses of honest men have quit the organization
in disgust at its trescbery to democratic principles;
but the old line of division is still clearly seen-the
bot combatants ranged i'll hostile attitude on either
side.
Since tie rupture Of l-4i-5, the party in this
State has won frequent victories, e., IT has sew
eral times elected its general ticket. But this
has been effected by the sheerest coalitions, By
agreements of State Committees and Conventions