, 1859-12-16

aus policy on tnat question, we nave al
ways cordially agreed in allowing Demo
Gratis to discuss the actions Of their public
servants and to investigate this and every
other question Of governmental policy as
it arose, until the National Democratic
Convention, the only authority to deter
niue what course should be pursued within
its organization, had determined il; for, un-
I'll that time. we deny the right Of any man
or set Of men, whether In or out Of Office,
to determine for the party such disputed
questions, or in such a case to prescribe
the conduct Of others. The Democratic
creed is irresistible, because it challenges
examination aud scrutiny. No mau has
any right, whatever his position, to make
his own opinions tests in the Demoratic or
gnnization, and to erect his own Judgment
as a standard by which others are to regu-
late theirs Many of those Democrats
who supported the President in reference
to his Kansas policy, did so sincerely but
when they claimed the right for themselves,
they did not deny to other Democrats the
same right TO express their sentiments
against that policy. We regret 10 say,
however that different course was adopt
ed by those who assume to be the immedi-
ate representatives Of the Federal Admin
istration in this city and State. They not
only claimed that the the Administration
had been infallible, but they proceeded to
denounce oil who INDUCED a different opin-
ion, Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress, Governors of States, and individual
members Of the Democratic party, aud, in
deed, whole State Democratic organiza-
tons, were, for this reason, declared to be
enemies Of the party.
They denounced these men, opposed their
claim to popular confidence, and attempted
to exclude them from our organization, by
declaring that they had formally joined our
political opponents. Now, of all the un-
dersigned who approved the action of the
President 10 the Kansas embroglio, there
was not one who sympathized with these
prescriptions, or did not deplore the spirit
which dictated them. Fully respecting
the opinions Of other Democrats, and with
no disposition to make trouble inIhe Dem.
oeratic party. these men still gave their
support to the President, because they
thought it was their duty to sustain an
Executive who had been elected by Demo
cratic votes. They never sanctioned the
doctrine that other Democrats bad not the
fullest right to express their conviction on
this and every other question; and yet, to
the opposite course which was pursued, we
trace the chief cause Of our successive de-
leats. But, we trace these disasters also
to another cause.
For the first time in the experience Of
the Democratic party Of Pennsylvania, we
have seen the leading officers Of a Demo
cratic Association assume the control Of
our different organizations, precinct, ward,
city, county and State. Many Of them
have elected themselves by means of The
patronage conferred upon them, and used
their stations to put themselves forward as
the exclusive representatives of the admin
istration under which they hold place
Not content to enjoy the Offices they hold,
they use them to control the Democratic or
yanization, in utter contempt Of the Demo
cratic masses. This interference extends
rom tile highest to the lowest detail Of the
,arty organization. It is displayed in the
resolutions and addresses,
which are forced upon Democratic meet
ngs by the dictation Of the chief Office
holders Of the National Administration
~ excluding the oldest and most active
Democrats from any participation in the
'ounsels Of the party; by Offering brides in
he shape Of promises of offices TO secure
for their policy, and by threats
Igaiust some Of their subordinates and the
emoval Of others. Their consideration
loes not seem TO be what will be best to ex-
end the influence or popularity Of our
principles, and promise their success, but
t is chiefly how they can best serve their
'Wn personal interests and that of those
lnder whom they hold their places. In
Iced their time seems chiefly TO have been
,ecupied IN determining who shall be re-
aimed and who discharged from Office, in
rider that they may the more effectually
ontro our delegate elections and nomiua-
ions. In word, This tyrnnnical, exclu-
i've and dietatorial policy has alienated
he sympaties Of the masses alike from our
'latfUrm and our candidates.
However, tho officers of the Federal
Government 10 this city, may excuse them.
elves in their efforts to nominate members
If Congress favorable to the General Ad-
there is no measure Of censure
90 severe in regard to their combined and
'epeated interference in the local Affairs Of
he people Of this city and elsewhere. Such
conduct is certain to dissatsfy and disheart-
IN the good men in the party, and to pre-
rent all goodmen from uniting with it.
Let US not be understood as denying to
oGice holders every right they possessed be-
iore they accepted position under the Fed
sral Administration. We not only coneede
Them these rights fully, but stand ready to
defend them in the exercise of their rights.
The right Of individual judgment as Dem
ocratic citizen is not diminished or increas-
I'd by holding Office 1t should, in all cases,
be exercised independently Of any official
control We submit that the possession of
should teach the men the danger