The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-01
The Disruption OF tho Republican
Party.


Washington correspondence Philadelphia Gazette.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1O.-It is very evi.
dent now that no decisive action will be
taken by the Republicans in Congress until
aftera fuller understanding of Mr.. Lincolns
views, and the opportunity to compare
opinions frankly here on the condition of
the country. Recent events have disclosed
a very decided, if not a radical difference of
policy between the two wings of that party;
for it is not to be disguised that however
heartily they may have co>operated at the
Presidential election, there always has been
to greater or less extent, q want of cordial
afiliation, if not certain degree of rivalry,
between the men of Wing and those of
Democratic antecedents. While they unite
for common object and upon a common
principle, and agreed to bury the Ratchet,
they could not well bury their memories of
former antagonism, or quite extinguish the
jealousy incident to desire for ascendancy
in the same party, when acting together.
Hence it only required some positive cause
to revive ancient feuds, and to draw broad
line of demarcation between the two in
terests.
The free soil Democrats who Joined the
Republican movement have always ex-
hibited more intense anti.slavery feeling
than the Wings, who had no conversion to
make on that subject, having opposed the
annexation of Texas, and the policy which
the others generally supported, and through
which mainly this momentous issue has, in
one way and another, been brought upon
the country. They now make virtue of
refusing all compromise or concession, and
demand that the moderate and conservative
Wings, who supported Mr.. Lincoln upon
the distinct and avowed idea that he, as
friend and follower of Henry Clay sympa.
thized with their sentiments, shall Join in
crusade against slavery, and present that as
the exclusive test of political fidelity. There
are many who are sincerely opposed to the
extension of slavery into free territory and
look forward to its gradual extinction or
exodus from natural causes, who are not
prepared to accept any such test. 1t was
not nominated in the bond. The central
idea upon which the Republican party was
organized, became an accomplished fact the
day Kansas was admitted, and its great
political aim was achieved in the election of
Mr.. Lincoln. The only remaining portion of
territory within the United States to which
the doctrine of non-extension is applicable is
New Mexico, where, in ten years, sur.
rounded by Southern influences entirely,
and with territorial slave code stronger
than any law in Mississippi, there are to-day
but twenty-five slaves, and they mostly do
mestics. Here, then, is the only spot of
soil to which the platform can be at all ap-
piled, and the simple fact stated above
shows what necessity exists for forcing it
there. If any command of principle be
alleged, then the same rule would have re.
quired it imposed upon Pixies Peak terri.
tory, called Colorado, which passed without
any reference to slavery at all, and without
one dissenting Republican voice. Compare
that vote with the application of the Will.
mot Proviso to Oregon, and it might be in
ferred that the cardinal principle of those
who insist upon making it test elsewhere,
was either ignored or abandoned for some
unexplained reason. Slavery can no more
be established in New Mexico than in Col
orado, and for the two great reasons which
will always control its expansion, because it
would not be profitable or secure.
The Democratic wing of the Republican
party generally insist upon rigid construc
tion of the Chicago platform and no con.
cessions, while the old wings generally who
supported Mr.. Lincoln, and who are the
great majority of the party, measure their
duty to the country by the results already
attained, by the power the new administra
ton will exercise over the territories, and by
their existing status. The latter does not
propose to abandon any principle whatever,
but to exercise a discreet and enlarged
policy, which will attract the confidence of
the country, shaping it by admitted facts,
which must be regarded sooner or later, and
conforming it to necessities which practical
craftsmanship cannot overlook. Mr.. Lin.
coin will be compelled to confront these
alternatives at the outset. He cannot ignore
them if be would. Any attempt to make
up cabinet composed of conflicting eIe-
ments will insure the failure of bis admins
tratiOn from the beginning, which will start
encompassed by difficulties such as have new
er beset any other since the formation of the
government. Necessity will compel him to
choose between extreme and moderate
counsels. His cabinet must be a unit of
one or the other. The only two selections
already made are in the conservative line,
but it is to be presumed that Mr.. Seward
will not consent to take the premiership
unless the President elect accepts the inter
probation of future policy disclosed by bis
two recent speeches, which have been re-
ceived with such general satisfaction by the
country. Although MIR. Corwin named
Thursday next for vote on the proposition
of the committee of thirty-three, it is not
improbable he may think it best to post
pone it still further, and perhaps week
longer, for the reasons above suggested.
The Pennington (Maine) Chronicle says
that diptheria is making sad ravages in
that neighborhood. In one small neighbor.
hood in Chesterville, ten persons have fallen
its victims within brief period. In one
r. l. ~ E.