The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-05-18
The Democratic 1mbroglio.

last, We have intelligence from the Southern
wing or the Democracy proper, as they con-
slider themselves.
They made no nomination of candidates
and took no action indicating preference on
the part of the body of any particular per-
sons Their number was little over forty.
After considerable debate, disclosing much
diversity Of opinion as to what ought to be
done. but showing no disposition to recede
from their general movement, they dissolved
or adjourned sine die. 1t was resolved how
ever to call another National Convention, to
be held in Richmond, Va, in June. This
movement we think was shrewd one. Hav-
ing bolted from the main convention, altho'
as to a part instructed so to do in certain
contingency, they must be regarded as indi-
viduals depu,cd by their party tc express its
views on certain important points, but not as
a National Convention to make nominations
If they had adjourned to future day the.
would acquire no increased capacity or re-
sponsibili,y. States that had not joined in
the secession would have no delegates in it
without a selection Of such by their constitu-
ents.
a new convention might be called, even
though the National Democratic Committee,
at the head of which our United States Dis.
trict Judge still presides, should not see fl,
TO originate the movement. for the power of
calling convention on important occasions
is necessarily inherent in every political bo-
dy.
This call of course may and will extend to
all the states Of the Union, SO that the De-
mocracy of the free states may if they choose
be represented III it, Two Of them, Califor-
MIA and Oregon, have already ssn!fed their
willingness to 20 with universal slavedom
for the protection of the rights of slave own
ers in our territories.
Several prominent men of the party, such
as Bisler of Penn, Casweil of n. u, and
others, whose individual sentiments were
swamped by Their colleagues, upon the unit
principle, have shown very strong leanings
in the same direction. The whole influence
of the administration will be fourd tending
thitherward also.
From resolution of the northern wing, ii
seems they appeal to the party Of the boiling
states to appoint new delegates to supply the
vacancies made by the split, 20 meet at Bal.
timore, SO as to nationalize that concern
Both factions are thus to be made national
and We shall have two National Democratic
Conventions in full blast at the same time
Both will no doubt make nominations of
candidates for President and Vice President.
The Northern candidate fer President has
been already sufficiently indicated-it is Ste
phen A. Douglas. Tha; wing is determined
upon him or nobody.
Who the candidate of the other conven.
ton will be is not SO clear. 1t may be Hun.
ter or Davis or Guthrie or Breckenridge, OF
even Dickinson, Toucey or Cushing.
The chances of these three last are no
smart, although they are all dead against Mr.
Dousla and the squa,ter sovereign princi
pie, and fast friends of the southern platform
rejected at Charleeton.
OF the candidates thus to be put forth b,
the rival convention, nobody supposes tina
either can receive majority in the electora
college. We fully believe that the Chicas,
nominee will run over both combined Blu
if not how will it be? Why, the southern
platform candidate vii! carry against the Re
publican candidate every slave state, an,
probably California with them. Oregon W
have hopes Of for the Republicans VIVA
other states can the Democracy control il
behalf Of Douglas?
1t was we'll said in debat. at Charlesto
that he could not reckon confidently on one
His best chance would undoubtedly be 70
his own state, Illinois. But even there hi
chance is hardly an even one. 1t 1856, b.
chanan had plurality of few thousand
when Fillmore had over 300 votes, but Bis
sell, the Republican candidate, was chose
governor. In 1888, when Douglas stumpe
the state from one end to the other, he SC
cured indeed small majority in the Legisla
ture, ard thus reelection to the Senate, bu
the Republican state ticket was again cleo
ed. These facts assuredly afford no very RI
liable grounds for asserting that he can carr
his own state. In Indiana it seems to US HI
prospects are no better, to say the least
Neither in Pennsylvania nor New Jersey, i
the opposition to him are cordially unite
does he stand the ghost of chance.
Our Democratic friends perhaps can St
the issue in this state of things. We pc
tecty understand the southern game of thro,
in 6 the election into the House. They kno
that in that event Douglas is certain to
defeated, whoever wins.
This is contingency quite probable if NJ
Douglas can carry three or four free state
We don't believe he can do this
QF Our readers will notice by his card
another column, that Cur able Represent
tive in Congress-Hon. Justin S. Morrill,
declines a denomination to the Office wbit
he now fills. This will be regretted BY mar