New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-05-07
Neb 0rleans 4ailp Gresfsrd.
T RI p L E. S H E e T.
MONDAY MORNING. MAY I, 1860.

IL II i + IL Ii a > I'll Il E Il j
MONDAY MORNING. MAY I, 1860.
THE SECESSION AT CHARLESTON.
The secession Of the Southern States from the
National Democratic Convention at Charleston Is
an event not only significant in itself but one des
tined to have marked influence upon the future
politics of the country. It IL the entering wedge
to a dissolution and breaking-up Of the National
Democratic party, which has, for third Of CEN
tury, with but temporary check, had uncontrolled
sway in the Administration Of the Federal Govern
ment. 49, .ss sag NJ
The rise and fall Of parties in o Republic is ne
cessary one Of the conditions of its existence In
country like ours political issnes are constantly
changing, and as necessary consequence parties
change with them. The Democratic party has
shown greater aptitude than any other for ac-
commodating itself to the fluctuations and changes
that have taken place in this country, and by this
means has eontrived to enjoy alonger existence
than any other political Organization we have ever
had. But even the Democracy, which has 50 long
boasted its nationality and its immortality, now
finds itself divided into hostile factions and as
national organization has ceased to exist. The
new dogmas which the Northwest has introduced
into the old creed Of the party-and which the old
line Calhoun Democrats have resisted even unto
dissolution of the organization have demonstrated
how. little there was left of the former harmony
and consistency which, on SO many occasions.
made the Democratic party inYincible in the gene
raj elections.
However true, in other days, may have been the
boast that Democratic principles were the same
everywhere, in Maine as in Texas, on the Atlantic
coast and on the Pacific the claim no longer holds
good at the present time. 1t is undeniable, that
upon many other questions besides that of slavery
in the Territories, there radical differences of
opinion in the Democratic ranks. There Is scarcely
point of concurrence between Northern and a
Southern Democrat inregard to any measure now
in issue before the American people. When we
see Pennsylvania Democrats clamorous for protec-
tive tariffs and specific duties and South Carolina
Democrats equally clamorous for free trade-West-
ern Democrats urgent for a Homestead Bill, and
Eastern and Southern Democrats bitterly opposed
to it-one wing of the party for internal improve
ments by the General Government, and the other
wing adhering to the old policy Of opposition TO
everything Of the sort-when we see these things.
besides many other minor points of disagreement,
U
longer d national organization. It has been ma
tional for several years only in name. In every
respect Of principle it has long lost even the
blance Of nationality.
The opposition to Mr.. Douglas at Charleston did
not arise altogether from the aspirations and am
bition of rival politicians. Nor it in the nature
of personal opposition to the man, except perhaps
with few individuals. Mr. Douglas is the repre-
sentative Of new class Of Democratic politicians
whose doctrines and teachings are obviously in
contrayention Of the old Democratic philosophy oi
Mr.. Calhoun. The difference was smoothed over
at Cincinnati, but it reappeared at Charleston. Il
Mr.. Douglas doctrines and opinions are not ' her
esies," as the old-line Democrats say they are, Il
would have been far better to have met them ai
the outset instead OF temporzing with them to the
present time. Douglas has not changed; but il
seems to be only lately the Democracy have come
to realzing sense Of the danger Of his positions
If they had applied the knife and the cautery ii
the beginning, instead of employing emollients
and poultces the patient would not now, perhaps
be in the deplorable state which preeedes imme
| diate dissolution.
| We find, then, that the Democratic party is di
yided into two factions. Whether the split will be
permanent, or only temporary, it is impossible tc
say. One wing has called Convention at Rich
mond on the llth of June-the other at Baltimore
! on the 18th OF the same month. We have nj
| doubt every effort will be made by the representa-
tiyes of the Democracy at Washington to bring
| about reconciliation, and to reunite the two
wings Of the great Democratic Army. Ithas beer
1 shown by the results at Charleston, that there ii
no common ground upon which they can stand il
regard to a leading question now in issue-but it i
not impossible that temporary truce may be es
tabshed for the occasion of the Presidential cleo
tion. One thing is very certain--the interests o
Seward will be very much advanced by this dis
memberment Of the Democratic party.
After all, the people Of the country of all par
ties, are disposed to attach less and less import
ance to Platforms, and to rely more upon the char
acter and services and patriotism Of the men VIII,
may be put forward as candidates. The Nationa
Convention of the Union y party meets in Balti
more on Wednesday. The Black Republican Con
yention meets in Chicago week afterwards. w
await the developments of the future, with al
abiding hope that some mode of escape from th
dangers of sectional contest and sectional tri
umph will yet be offered to the people.
N. LIE verrier is exceedingly indignant that 0
one should omit all mention of the very larg
planet Neptune" while the other should place
100 degrees out of its true position. He says tha
they are no longer Of any utility to astronomers
It will be remembered that he is the discoVerer q
this Every large planet"
PIKE's PEAK STAMPEDE. - On Monday an
Tuesday of week before last no less than fourtee
1 laft nsvitIa Nph slro fp
the gold mines, They numbered over sixty pei
sons, having sixteen wagons, thirtysix yoke {
oxen, one pair Of mules, and all the other esser
tials for comfort the way and after they arrive
Brownsville would soon be depopulated at thi
rate If there were not daily accessions from eas
ern emigration.
DEATH BY LIGHrNIsG.--The Marietta tOhio) Ii
telligeneer announces the death Of George L. Slt
comb, of that city. He was very worthy youn
| man. and for some time previous had been in th