The Placer herald., 1861-08-31
Democrats should Vote together.

In 1860 the Democracy of our country was led
on bv two able men to certain defeat. Two Con-
venions were formed out of the fragments OF the
Charleston Convention, and two candidates, and
two platforms Of principles were placed before
the American Democracy, at the very time when
the continuance of the Union depended upon the
union of the Democratic party.
The lnmentcd Douglas had cnunciated some re-
markable doctrines upon the Territorial question,
of the po,cer OF Il TERRITORY by police regulation
to exclude or recognize slavery, and that too I'M
der the Kansas Nebraska Act. This doctrine was
obnoxious to the charge of being allied to the Re-
publican principle Of non-extenson The only
apparent difference related to the residence of the
power to exclude or extend; and even in this,
some contended that Mr.. Douglas had conceded
all--for while the Republican party contended
that Congress possessed the power. Mr.. Douglas
believed the power vested in the Territory by
Congress under the Kansas Act. Here then we
fnd the cause of our defeat in 1860, and the con-
sequent national difficulties.
There are few careful investigators Of the po-
ltical history OF the Immediate times in which we
live but will to- day acknowledge that the division
of the party grew ont of those sentiments OF Mr..
for Mr. Douglas upon the sole ground Of the lcgit-
imacy of his nomination by The legitimate Con-
yention at the same time contrasting their disbc-
! lief Of his peculiar theory. etc Now, how are
those voters to act on Wednesday mex ? Are you
to continue to support an organization which has
abandoned the issue which alone gave it support
one year ago? The Republican party, after Mr..
| Douglas had emphutically rcnGunced, in the u. ).
Senate his doctrine. fell desperately in love with
| it, and here in our own State, constantly urge
that no distinction exists between what may now
more appropriately be called the Connessites and
themselves. The Republicans have endorsed the
cast off robes OF the departed Douglas; and the
| Connessitcs not to be behind, extend their SYM
pathies to the war Of Mr.. Lincoln--a war as Mr..
| Douglas said Of eternal separation.' 4 war the
advocates OF which are cOntending for disunion
no less than the seccsSionlsts at the South. Last
! year there was an asst enable reason for Il Demo-
Gratis vote being given to Mr.. Douglas, but how
in 1861 can we agree to continue division OF our
party so unfortunately begun. OF every purely
devoted National Democrat, let Us ask il, after an
| eyncrirnce of Il brief twelve months, it is worth
our while to wranGlr any longeT if. after exam
ming the two platforms Of the two Baltimore
Conventions you can find sufficient distinction
to instify continuance of the quarrel? And
finally, to those who adhered to Mr.. Douglas rs
the regular candidate last year. regardless Of
the principles. we say no such necessity presents
Itself this year. In the Convention candidates
before you. are men Of sterling worth. whose
Democracy in the past you have been proud to
call your own. Mr.. Mcdonnell in intellectual ca,
pacily is head and shoulders above any Of his
competitors; and although he does not boast of
being the purest and best. and like Stanford,
charge all past Governors and officials with dis
honesty and corruption (see Staniords Folsom
specify. yet Mr.. Mcconnell, among thos" who
know him. bears the reputation Of an honest man
and good citizen
or onr County Ticket we can say they are men
of integrity and ability and WILL if elected, rep
resent the the interests of the county flirly and
faithfully. To speak Of the overtures heretofore
extended towards the peace and union of the par
e. is unnecessary because that record is written
M and the bone and sincW OF the Old time-hOu-
ofed Democracy will, we tiust. record their yo!es
against those leaders, who chose rather to coal
esce their principles with the opposition than to
restore the harmony aad unity OF an inVincbe
party.