Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-14
The National" Democratic PARTY.

The National" Democratic Party.
Some time ago, the Washington States pro-
pounded the question, Have we a Demo
cratic party among us?", and proceeded to
answer it in the negative. Several Of its con-
temporaries contested the point. but the argu-
ment of the States was entirely incontroyerti-
bic. 1t has not been answered, and cannot
be answered. The National Democratic par
ty, a. an organization upon common basis
Of princi piles, exist, no longer. Ii is Subdi-
vided into dozen different clques, each
with a different set of principles. and hav-
ing nothing in common with each other. ex-
cept the mere empty name of Democracy
So also, think other leading Democratic
journals besides The States. Particularly
have we been impressed with an article To-
the same effect from the Spirit OF the South. >
published at Eutala Alabama. As Signiti-
cant OF Southern Democratic sentiment, We
reproduce from recent number of that pa
per, the following extract :-Lymch. Iiy
1.-The party may live through another
Presidential campaign. but will not survive
it, Another Democratic Administration
might hold its diScordant elements together
through another four years, but the proha-
bilitv is, that Mr. Buchanan's is the last
Democratic Administration which the cOun-
try will ever see.
I'VE do not found these predictions mere
" upon the dis>ensions which anti-Slayery
has sown in the councils Of the party: that
is but one Of the disorganizing elements n,
work for its destruction. 1t cannot harmon
ize its forces upon a single political issue
that now engages public attention. We are
divided upon the Tariff, upon Internal I'M
proyements, upon the Slavery question, and
upon the Cuban and Central American ques-
tons. Our differences upon all these points
are radical--daily widening What element
of cohesion is to unite us? What but the
patronage of the Government, the power to
confer Office, has kept Us together for the last
FIVE wears, and what is there in the future
that promises 10 be Il stronger bond of union?
Where would these elements of cohesion be,
when we once lose control of the Govern
ment. Success alone can compact the party,
and it is doubtful whether even success can
do it.
Another inquiry: what is there now about
the national organization of the Democratic
party. that is worth an effort on the part of
have IRE to struggle to keep the party togeth-
er? Its soul has left it. 1t is completely
emasculated, so far as its power to rrotccs
our rights is concerned. 1t has required all
the patronage of the Government, and all
the aid and sympathy of its Southern men,
bers to keep it on its feet III Il single North
ern State. Withdraw these, and it would fall
PROSTATE and lifclcs> before the first blast of
popular opinion everywhere at the North.
1t has not strength enough, in single free
State to rally "A popular majority in favor of
one sound plank in our party platform.
Turn it loose, to fight single handed the Is
sues that are raised in a national election,
and it is doubtful whether there is one Con-
gressional District in all the North where its
leaders could win an honest victory upon the
principles which we of the South claim as
our party creed. And what is such an or
ganization worth to us? What have We to
hope from it? True if we can put it in pos
session of the government, it can give places
to few of our public men; but are We will
ing to admit to ourselves, Or make confession
to the world, that after all, there is truth Ill
the taunt of our enemies that the cohesive
power Of public plumber is the only bond
which unites us? Or. are we going to satisfy
ourselves longer, by accepting few leaves
and fishes as Il make-weight for the cider
and milk platform of principles to be enun-
ciated BY our national conventions. which
serve their purpose during an electioneering
campaign, and then are put quietly away
until another similar occasion rcprnduccs
them?
I'VE fear that our friends have allowed
their devotion To- the time. honored name of
the Democratic party. ii devotion which rs
natural, and which we do not mean to CON
denim, to color the picture which hope has
painted for its prospects We wish ii could
be realized. We wish the Democratic party
could stand where it has stood, high above
the waves of faction and sectionalsm, with
it, foot planted upon the Constitution, and
hearing aloft that banner OF noble principles
under which it has 50 often marched t" vic
tory. We would love to serve under its
colors, and to such party we would cling,
as the safeguard of the country; but it, old
leaders have fallen; its Scntincl> have been
corrupted: its hugle blasts no longer give a
certain sound: its banners are Shorn of their
glory. and victory. we think. will II" more
crown them with success.