The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-30

Il SHEET.
what IL to be Done ut CharlestoR-A Psge
~YM Of History.
As the time draws near for the meeting Of
the National Democratic Convention at Charles
ton, the hustle among the politicians in
creases. There has not been for twenty years
80 much excitement in advance of any election.
And this agitation is not confined altogether to
the politicians. There is q deeply settled feel
ing upon the part of the people at large that
the country is going through most important
crisis and that it is more than probable that
upon the wisdom, the tact and the sagacity of
the members of the Charleston Convention will
depend the perpetuity of our institutions, and,
perhaps, the actual existence of the republic
In this view of the matter, it will not be amiss
for us to recall to the members of the Conven-
ton few familiar facts in the history of the
party which they are presumed to represent
The democratic party took itsr rise during the
administration Second term) of President
Washington. 1t was organized under the
auspices of Mr.. Jefferson, and grew out OF
his opposition to the views of Alexander
Hamilton. The new party was first called
antifederalist, and put Mr.. Jefferson in
nomination in 1876. He was beaten by
John Adams, whose administration was one
Of the stormiest on record. 1t was then that
Congress enacted the celebrated Alien and Sedi-
ton laws, under which freedom of speech,
oct;or opI tho vroeo xroro ~,;r+royl ~ voctrainod
The democratic party, led by Mr.. Jefferson,
opposed the measures of Mr.. Adams with great
vigor, and many of the antifederalist editors
were imprisoned. At the next election there
was an entire change in the political sentiment
of the country, and Mr.. Jefferson was elected
as the type of republican principles, particu-
larly freedom of speech and of the press.
During his first term he encountered severe
opposition from the federalists, and did not
receive the united support Of his political
friends He had taken Office as a one term
President; but when the time drew near for
the nomination of his successor, although there
was more than one candidate, the masses of
the party could see in no statesman other
than Mr.. Jefferson that steady adherence to
principles, combined with personal popularity,
which was absolutely required to maintain the
infant organization. He was renominated,
and went in for his second term almost by &C..
clamation. When, in 1909, Mr.. Jefferson retired
from public life, he left the principles for which
heso long struggled to his friend Mr.. Madison,
who was chosen to the place so we'll filled
t,vy< hn Gao ~ NJ ToAo noI
taken stand with regard to our foreign rela-
tons which elevated the dignity of the young
republic. The democratic party sustained Mr..
Jefferson's measures in opposition to the feder-
alists, who favored different policy as far as
England was concerned. Mr.. Madison repre-
sented the broad principles Of Mr.. Jefferson,
and therefore received thesupport Of his party.
In 1872 he was reelected, while the country
was at war with England. The democratic
party, approving of the war, and being obliged
to accept the main issue upon it, chose Mr..
Madison, who, more than any other man, repre-
sented their principles, as their leader, and the
only one who could maintain the party orga-
nization and command any considerable num-
Der Of votes outside oft.
From the end of the second term of Mr..
Madison, through the two terms of Mr.. Monroe,
the questions before the country were chiefly
Of q financial and commercial character, involv-
ing no special principles and creating no par
ticular agitation.
In 1928 General Jackson was chosen as O
one term President, over numerous opponents.
He had not been great while in Office before
the most violent dissensions between members
Of the government sprang up. The opposition
to the President, led by Mr.. Calhoun, was ex-
ceedingly bitter. The manner in which Gene
raj jackson met and dealt with the great
questions Of the day-the tariff, the Bank, inter-
nal improvements, notification, and 80 on-is
familiar to every one. And, in 1881, he was
obliged, contrary to his own expressed de-
termination, to yield to the demands of his
party, and consent to serve a second term
He was the only candidate Of the many able
leaders Of his party who could have won-the
hotly contested battle of 1882, and preserved
the power and the prestige of the democracy
1t was the old story of Jefferson and Madison
over again.
Now, our point, logically deduoed from the
above facts, is that the democratic party of to-
day, if 1t is wise, will be guided by the lamp of
experience in selecting candidate for Charles
ton, and will select Mr.. Buchanan. The country
ID in quite as important crisis as it was in the
last days Of John Adams, during the war of
1872, or the rough times of 1S30-3l. Perhaps
we are in even a.worse condition now. A Sec
tional and reasonable organization Seward
Greeley & Co.'s black republican party-is en-
deavoring to seize the reins Of government
and precipitate upon us the famous +" irrepres-
sible conflict" to which Mr.. Seward has so ear.
nest an inclination. The South, enraged beyond
measure by the book of Helper, which advo-