Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-01

Have We Democratic Party Among USE

The doubt implied in the above interrogatory,
however startling at first sight, appears anything
but absurd on examination. Nay, at the hazard
of contradicting the vulgar prejudice and shock
ing our own sense of security, We are obliged to
announce the deliberate conclusion that there is
now no Democratic party in existence. And we
will venture the assertion, that the paradozical
opinion will be embraced by all observing and
rejecting persons.
Of individual Democrats, dispersed over the
country, each with his peculiar profession OF
faith, and object of pursuit, there is unquestiona-
bly, very abundant supply. But they no more
constitute party in the philosophical and prac.
teal sense of the word than heap of unhewn
and unadjusted stone constitute palace. For
the realization of that idea, there must be pri-
marily common foundation, then due subor.
dination and fitness among the parts, and finally
complete unity of organization. We doubt il
any one of these conditions can be predicated OF
the Democracy
In the first place, will any man pretend to
affirm that Democrats are agreed upon basis
of prinoples In respect of which one among
the political issues before the country is there So
much even as an approach to unanimity in the
"party." Not surely in regard to squatter SOW
ereignty. The disagreement between the Presi-
dent and bis Secretary of State on this subject,
is the symbol of an equivalent difference among
the Democracy. Not in regard to the Pacific
railroad for here again the chief of the Admin
istration is at points with his Secretary of War,
and the class of strict construction Democrats
dissent from the faith of their less scrupulous
associates. Not in regard to federal appropria-
tons for the Improvement Of rivers and harbors
since the division of the Cabinet on this issue is
| likewise responsive to similar division among
the mass of the Democracy. Nor yet is there
anything like unanimity in the party in regard
to that most important matter of all-the tariff
question, in respect of which Mr.. Buchanan af-
firms one belief, while Mr.. Cobb maintains d.
reotly the opposite.
We need not recapitulate all the points of di-
vergent doctrine among the Democracy. 1t is
sufficient to say that upon no single issue is
there adequate agreement for common basis OF
action.
In the matter of organization we discover an
equal absence of concord and unity in the par
ty" We have Lecompton and an Anti-Le-
compton faction; there are the followers OF
Douglas and here the adherents of Buchanan ;
in short, as many as are the asprants for the
Presidency, so many are the cliques and cabals
among the Democracy.
Heretofore, the Administration has afforded o
rallying point for the individuals of the party;
but, instead it is become an original occasion OF
dispute and dssension. In these latter days,
the recommendation of Democratic Executive
implies little more authority with Democratic
boa ff M ln.
position.
In one particular the Democracy are thought
to be very generally agreed in opinion and con.
current in action, and that is in the pursuit Of
the spoils. But even in this most important
matter, they exhibit the same diversity of inter
est ard policy observable in every other regard
The course of the present Democratic Executive
has been sgnalized by the indiscriminate ostra
cism of the surviving officehoders of its Demo
cratic predecessor. And in respect of future
} promotion, the rival factions in the party" are
more intent each on the defeat of its rival, thar
on the overthrow of the common enemy. I'm
less these domestic discussions be harmonized by
the prevalence of more fraternal counsels OF
Suppressed by the pressure of an overshadowine
: peril, we are not warranted in anticipating the
cordial cooperation of the various factions a
mong the "party" in the struggle of 1860. Ever
the potent spell of the spoils will not now avail
to subdue the demon of discord among the De-
mocracy.
1t is no absurd speculation, therefore, to in
quire whether there be Democratic party a
mong us2 In fact, on elaborate investigation
we are constrained to return negative respond
to the question. There is no such entity as q
Democratic party. Greater confusion of tongues
and opposition of interests did not prevail among
the children of men after their ambitious but
abortve attempt in the plain of Shinah, than are
now visible in the broken ranks and mutual ami
mosities of the once harmonious and triumphant
Democracy.
| ~ Lest anybody should accuse as of doing
injustice to "the parity" we take pains to say
that the above appeared originally, on Wednes'
day last, as a leading editorial article in Dem
ocratic paper, the Washington States.