Year: 1860

= As MATTERS STAND.-Yhe canvass may now be
considered as fairly opened. The Conventions rep
resenting the two wings Of the Democracy in this
State, have met acted, and adjourned No harmony
has resulted from their proceedings. On the con-
trary, the breach that separated the two sections is
wider than ever, and all hope of compromise is
forever Abandoned Henceforth the friends of Judge
Douglas in Virginia, must be classed by the true
Democracy with the Opposition. Not on our heads
can be visited the penalty that this alteration in
wolves. Not a. our door does the sin lie. The posi-
ton is of their own choosing, let them abide its
consequences They voluntarily placed themselves
without the pale of the organization, and have as
sumcd hostile attitude against it. They cannot
complain if now they are reckoned among its enc
mics. '~ ---.- - =


The Convention that met at Charlottesville, in
spirit of magnanimity, made every endeavor conss-
tent with honor to heal the breach that unhappily
divided the party, and each endeavor was met with
studied insult and insolent defiance. Such result
might have been anticipated from the beginning
The temper that convened and the spirit that actual
ed the assembly at Staunton was bitterly hostile to
all compromise. Cancellation had no place on their
programme of operations. The decree had gone
forth from head quarters forbidding it. and their
own feelings prompted ready obedience to the Of
fcial mandate.


There is reason for this persistent animosity on
the part of the Douglas men, toward the Democracy
as represented by Mr.. Breckenridge, that does not
lie on the surface, but is plain in view nevertheless
if we do but search for it. The key to it is to be
found in the disappointed ambition of Mr. Douglas,
and the determined purpose of him and his leaders
to destroy the Democratic party For this and this
only he and they are laboring Hence no offer of
compromise will be entertained by them. Concilia-
ton would be the destruction of their policy there
fore they will none of it. Rule ruin is their motto
and to the letter are they carrying it out.


Every movement that has been made since the nom-
nations at Baltimore proclaims this purpose. The
Miles Taylor circular was the first, and this shadow
ed it forth in terms too distinct to be msapprehend
ed. No compromise was the ruling idea in that
manifesto. Since, then, every event it transpred
has pointed unerringly in the same direction. No
union with Breckenridge Democrats has been the
Know Nothings, Abolitionists, they take to their
embrace and press to their hearts, but Breckenridge
Democrats with whom they were only yesterday
allied, they spurn utterly. Processing to be Demo-
crats they everywhere coalesce with the nveterate
enemies of Democracy, if by SO doing they can
damage the cause of the party that nominated
Breckinridge and Lane. Their whole aim is the
overthrow of that party, and they scruple at no
means that will aid them in its accomplishment


In Kentucky, their fusion with Know Nothings
was open and avowed and their joy at the success
full issue that waited their treason, in de-
gree disminished by the shameless method employ
ed to produce it.


In New York, they have lately hatched another
conspiracy with their new found friends, the Know
Nothings, which promises, they fatter themselves;
equally hopeful results.


In this State no open coalition has yet been form
ed private understanding sufices for the present.
By running an independent ticket, they hope so to
divide the Democratic strength that the vote of the
State may be cast for Bell That will answer quite
well if it were given to Douglas Of whose elec-
tion they entertain not the faintest glmmering Of
hope But they may prevent the State from going
for Breckenridge, and that for them is triumph
enough.


1t is the settled purpose, as we have said of Mr..
Douglas and his friends to break up the Democratic
party, and the facts we have cited indicate the
means to be employed in its accomplishment With
such an object in view and with bitter hatred to-
ward Mr. Breckenridge ranking in their hearts, Of
course hope of reconciliation can be entertained
1t was folly to have thought of it We got snubbed
for attempting it. and we deserved the snubbing.--
| Petersburg Bulletin.