Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-05-18
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Charleston Convention.

tuSHA' 40 NV 6hI0t ~SA-~~s"-~ f-SsI
which has SO long ruled, and 80 often tri-
umphed, hopelessly divided? 1t is even
so. After stormy session of nine days,
and after balloting fity-seven times, il
was found impossible 10 agree either on
a political creed or candidate; several
states seeded from the convention, and
they finally broke up in state little bet
ter than row. .s ~ bar35s hae
Although it is given out that they have
adjourned to meet at Baltimore on the
18th of June, yet this probably will be
of no avail. The same difficulties must
attend them; the disease is too inveterate
to be cured by change of season or place,
and the great democratic party is nothing
but sectional party after all. This is a
subject for grave reflection.
1t is now thirty-fve years since the
present democratic party was organized,
during the administration of John Quincy
Adams. The causes which led to its for
nation were: the prejudice of the south
against northern president, the ambition
of many of the leading politicians who
hoped to rise on the ruin of Adams and
Clay, and the greediness of multitude
who were ont of place, for the spoils of
office.
The new party adopted at the outset
the specious name of democratic, pro-
fessed to be the followers of Jefferson
though they discarded most of his prin-
ciples-raissd hue and cry against Clay
and Adams, proclaimed its great object
to be retrenchment and reform in the
expenditures of the government, am
harangued to the people that the military
services of Gen. jackson were so great
that they could only be rewarded by ele-
waiting him to the presidency. The plot
succeeded. Gen. jackson was elected,
and since that time, with two brief inter-
vals, the reins of government have been
in the hands of the jackson or democrat
ic party.
The course of the party has been sue
cessful as party If not advantageous to
the nation, and is marked by trophies or
by ruins. The National Bank persisted
by the iron will of Gen. Jackson. Pro-
tective Tariffs have been modified, and
have finally disappeared from the statute
book. The efforts of some of the most
talented men of the age have been met
the expenditures of the government have
risen from thirteen to eighty millions Of
dollars per annum. Party spirit has at
times ragged with violence incompatible
with public peace and safety the nation
at one time was brought to the verge Of
bankruptcy, and the fortunes of thousands
have been crushed by the fluctuations o.
its policy; the strange doctrine has been
proclaimed and maintained that offices
of government were but "spoils" that be
longed to the "victors.''
The party has been mainly southern
party, guided by southern men, by south
ern principles and interests. Still th,
: devotion and fidelity of the northern de
mocracy to the party cause has been IN
,, paralleled. They have generally con
sented to act subordinate part them
: selves, and sacrifice vast interests at thu
north without any scruple, provided the,
could maintain the unity Of the party an,
retain their offices, the party "spoils."-
e But in the midst of success, in an evi
: hour the question of slavery arose. Tn
northern democracy strove hard to avoi
# this perilous issue and still retain the ia
e vor of the south. They consented to re
peal the Missouri Compromise and t
!. make all the unsettled territories open I
!. the introduction of slavery. In the plac
is of absolute prohibition of slavery mort
d of So deg. 30 min., they substituted th
!. principle of squatter sovereignty, or ths
r the people settling ia the new territorie
should receive or reject the introductio
;. of negro slavery among them as the
pleased. A favorable opportunity no
!, occurred to introduce slavery into the ne
: territory Of Kansas. The south ser
y their colonies there to introduce the
&c peculiar institution" and the north di
: the like to keep it out. The advocates
o slavery extension were beaten on the
s. own ground, slavery failed, and Kansi
+ is free. The south now demands tn;
! the principle of sauatter sovereignty sha
"A be abrogated, that new slave code sha
lie be enacted to protect slave property in a
IS the new territories wherever they ma
y please to carry it, and that a candida
u for the presidency favorable 10 the:
G. views shall be selected. This the nortl
a. ern democracy cannot, dare not rrar