Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-05-11
SECTIONALIsM OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY

As the Democratic party, so called, is, to
Judge from what is going on at Charleston, very
near it's fnal dissolution, it may not be unsea-
sonable to take slight retrospect of some
points in its history which have bearing upon
the causes of It's present extremity.
Notwithstanding the horror of sectioualism
which for several years past has been the chief
stock in trade of the Democratic politicians
and the professions of nationalism in which
those politicians have SO freely INDUCED, it is
nevertheless an undeniable historical fact that
in the original formation of the now expiring
Democratic party, and during its first struggle
for power, it vas upon appeals to sectional pre-
judice that this same party mainly relied for
rallying its partisans.
With the Administration Of the Federal
Government by President John Quincy Adams,
digniied, economical, and uncorrupt as it was,
very little fault could be found just as lit
tie could objection be made to the political
principles which he andlhis supporters profess
sed, since they were the principles of Jefferson,
Madison, and Monroe, of the two latter of
whom John Quincy Adams had enjoyed the
fullest confidence. AS to the matter of ma
tionality, the supporters of Adams and Clay
signalised their feelings on that score by taking
IdlS udLnC VI kN1tiOual 4hCpND1iOaLS-a h6LuC
at which their opponents used to sneer, espe-
Cially the epithet national, as looking to as
sumptions by tbs Federal Government of pow
ers not granted to it by the Constitution.
The supporters Of the various defeated can
didates who united to form what they called
the Democratic party, not being able to find
any solid grounds an which to base their con-
federation against Adams and Clay, appealed
20 the strong prejudice against New England,
10 which the course of Its inhabitants during
the long controversy with Great Britain had
given rise. Mr.. Adams was new England
man; the New England States had unanimous
ly rallied TO his support; Mr.. Clay, 10 eonfed-
Grating with New England, had forfeited all
claim to Southern aud Western confidence,
such were the sectional appeals constantly in
the mouths of those who called themselves
Democrats, and which went great way
towards the election of the candidate on
whom they had concentrated.
1t is next to be observed that not only did
this party thus take sectional prejudice as
stepping stone to power, but that from the very
moment of its success there commenced with
in its oEn ranks a sectional struggle which has
gone on from that time to this, till at last we
End the party splitting into Northern and
Southern faction which can neither stand on
the same platform, however artfully construct
ed, nor run the same candidate for the Presi-
dency. Scarcely bad Gen. jackson formed
his Cabinet before desperate struggle arose
between MIR. Calhoun and Mr.. Van Buren,, as
to which of the two should control the policy
Of the Government. IN this struggle, which,
personal considerations apart, turned mainly
on the tariff question, Mr.. Van Buren, who
represented the then prevailing sentiinen: of
the Free Labor States 10 favor of protection
to domestic industry, carried the day over CAL
hoaa, who had been induced 10 forego his form
81 opinions on this subject and to fall in with