Year: 1860

for the reunion of the divided elements OF
the Democratic party. Wherever there has
been an opportunity for breaking down the
barriers of opinion upon mere abstract
questions and consolidating the strength OF
/ the Democracy. We have raised our voice III
favor of doing it. While we have refused
to subscribe to doctrines we did not believe,
and to give our consent TO the reading OF
good and true Democrats out Of the party
simply because they could not endorse every
act and deed of the Buchanan Administra-
tion, we have ever hopefully looked forward
to the time when this great party could stand
together and face with an unbroken front
the common enemy. We have always re-
GREETED the split which took place in the
party in this State, and still believe there
was no necessity for it for the Democratic
Convention of 1858 had no business to pass
resolution which they we'll knew there
were thousands of Democrats in this State
who would not and could not endorse. We
allude to the resolution of Zack Montgomery
sustaining the course of the President in the
Kansas issue as against Douglas. Many
Douglas men swallowed it. albeit with griev
Gus reluctance but many others would have
died first. We were opposed, then, to any
resolutions or tests which would distract the
party, for We felt strongly that a difference
of opinion upon ope" questions should be
tolerated in the ranks of the party until
such time as they could be authoritatiyely
settled. We understand Judge Douglas to
have contended for no more than this. He
only demanded that he should have the right
to his own views and opinions, and to ex-
press them without reserve, and without the
penalty of being prescribed by men who
had no better q right than he to their own
peculiar notions and sentiments. We are OPP
posed nor TO resolutions and tests of the same
character.


In looking over q very able speech of Hon.
Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia, in the House
of Representatives in reply to Messrs. Grow,
Hickman and others, we find remarks on the
motter of open questions, which we deem
highly proper to be quoted in this connec-
tion. He says


Il protest against the assumption that an
opinion on territorial power shall be made a
test of political fidelity. can understand
how the enemies of the Democracy may en-
ploy and aggravate the issue as a wedge to
rend asunder the unity of our party bat l
cannot comprehend how any Democrat can
assist in the suicidal operation. In all polit-
ical organizations there must he some open
questions. 1t is impossible to enforce an ex-
act conformity of opinion upon every sub
jeet of speculation. The policy of the Dem
ocratic party has been to tolerate difference
of opinion in this matter of territorial power


The appointment of General Cass, the re-
cognized author of the sQuatter.sov eregnty
dogma, to the chief place in the present
Democratic Administration, provoked no
complaint or remonstance from the Democ-
racy Of the South. am for adhering to this
judiciors policy-this "salutary neglect"
persist in my own opinions; l will battle for
its recognition by the Government but
will not he so much the bigot as to sacrifice
my friends, my party, and my country. to
the idol of my peculiar speculationS In the
story of the last siege and capilulation OF
Constantinople, there are many mortifying
illustrations of human depravty; but no
circumstance Of that frightful episode SO
shocks the sensibilities and aliases our pride
as the pertinacious alterations of the degen-
crate Greeks, over frivolous issues in the
very agony of the struggle. and while the
| barbarian hosts were laundering at the gates
of the city. 1t was the niatuation Of race
smitten with the vengeance of Heaven. But
one natiouel party interposes between the
Capitol and the triumph of sectional en-
croachment and shall the Democracy, in
presence of the enemy, and with such mighty
issues in suspense, paralyze their strength 10y
| furious contest over the inferior and irrele-
want issues2 If they do, then will expire
the last hope Of the Union"


There are other Southern Democrats, and
in the occupancy of high places, who feel
the same way, and such men as these will
favor the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas
for the Presidency. If they, the great lead
ers of party can afford to ignore these little
tests of Democracy, we should think that the
petty cliques of Yuba county, to say nothing
of the late Anti-Latham State Central Com
mittee, might not be so completely over.
whelmed with the sense of their own immac-
ulateness.