The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-02-28

Our readers will remember with what JOY
Gus triumph the Democracy throughout the
land hailed the construction of the platform
of Democratic principles at Cincinnati some
three years since. The jubilant shouts Of
harmonious unity, and anticipated victory
rung out upon the air from Maine to Cali
fornia, and from the Lakes to the Gulf Of
Mexico. The fllibusters, the slave-traders
and the slave-breeders, the free-soil Van Bu
renites, the old Wings, of the 1'oombs and
Stephens stripe, the old Federalisss, Of the
Buchanan school, the Jackson Democracy, of
the Benton section, free. traders and protec-
tionists, abolitionists and slavery propagan-
dists, ali alike rejoiced in the breadth and
solidity of the platform and FASTENED to jump
aboard. Mr.. Buchanan, himself, the nomi-
nee of the Convention, with proud humility,
in his letter of acceptance, cast aside the
habiliments Of his own personality, yielded
up his own identity, and joyfully became
constituent plank OF the Democratic plat
form.
Then the bugles sounded the rally and the
Gio@eh sAuMpuec oiSW shpiI bluStc HI VIC
charge. The motley crowd Of the Democ-
racy, under their old Federal leader, rushed
on to the contest. With thousand various
watchwords for the fight, oil were impelled
to the battle by the common motive-the
grand principle of unity and harmony for
the time-the hope Of spoils.
The victory was won; the spoils have been
divided; the expenditures OF the Government
have been nearly doubled, to increase the
amount of spoils to be distributed, the Treas
ury 10 bankrupt; and the score of factions,
thaHunited to plumber it, are now quarrellng
amongst themselves.
The President, whose early Federal pro-
clivities have gained increased vitality and
strength in his old age, insists that Congress
shall impose Constitution upon the people
of Kansas against their almost unanimous
remonstrance, and the Democratic Senators
and Representatives in Congress, with the
exception of some twenty members, concur
with the President that snoh il the doctrin.
of the Cincinnati platform. Douglas, on tn,
other hand, at the head of bakers dozer
or so of the Democracy in Congress, oppose,
this measure, and contends that it is not onl,
sviolation Of the Cincinnati platform bu
Of the fundamental principles of free govern
ment. The Federal President having earl,
in life imbibed earnest convictions in fayo
Of a strong Central Executive Government
and having had those convictions strength
ened and developed by long residence an
familiarity at the monarchical courts Of Eu
rope, desires an increase Of Executive power
And speaking, in his recent special message
In his new position as an integral portion 0
the Democratic platform, he laments that tn
Constitution does not give the war-makin
power--possessed by the monarchs Of Eu
rope-to the President of the United States
and calls upon Congress to remedy this d.
feet Of the Constitution, BY surrenderng the
power over this matter to him. Douglf
concurs with the President.n regard to tn
matter, and urges Congress to adopt the Pres
ident's recommendation. But, unfortunatel,
there happen to be some members Of Il
Democratic party in the South, who imbibt
their principles from the old leaders Of Il
Jefiersonian Democr acy, and they resist tn
assumption Of kingly power by the Presider
These State Rights Democrats contend tn
the Cincinnati platform endorses their ere
OF opposition to Executive power. And J
the President, who is a portion Of that pla
form, doyetailed into its solid fabric, spea
for il, and demands the purse and the swor
that he may act as efficiently as the monarc
OF Europe, and no longer be tramelled
the restrictive provisions Of that old 70
document, which our fathers regarded, in
letter and spirit, as the charter OF our lib,
ties AS nation.
Then, again, the President and the Per
sylvanla Democracy declare In favor Of 81
lection and specific duties, while the Sec
tarv ofthe Treasury and the Democracy &,
orally scout the doctrine as in utter subv,
sion OF the Democratic platform. The q
busters claim that they stand on the Cine
matt platform while prosecuting their mara
ing expeditions, and the President ss
proclamations and arrerts their unlav
expeditions in obedience to the same pl
form. Brown, Of Mississippi, stands on
side OF the platform and scouts squatter s
ereisniy, and claims protection to slave pr
erty in the Territories Douglas stands
the other side Of the platform and procla
the sovereign right Of the Territory to ext
or withhold protection at its pleasure.
We need not follow Mt any greater len
these diverse views Of the principles Of
Democratic platform. There is evidently
agreement In its Interpretation or in the pl
tical application Of its principles. Their