Secession Era Editorials Project

The Democracy and the Union

New Haven, Connecticut, Register [Democratic]

(9 January 1854)

It is now very evident that a practical test will be soon had, whether "the Democracy and the Union" are one and inseparable; then will the scoffers of the Compromise measures hide their heads with shame at the result, unlest we much mistake the governing principles of our leading men. The enquiry has often been made, whether the administration of Gen. Pierce and its friends would stand upon the Compromise measures as a finality? The negative has been attempted to be shown, and the proof offered has been the appointment to office, of those heretofore opposed to those measures. That such assertions afforded no evidence of the truth of the charge, has been most abundantly shown. Yet, the allegation continues to be made. The time, however, is near at hand, which will settle the question beyond all controversy, and vindicate the administration and the Democracy of the country from all such imputations. In the bill recently submitted to the Senate by Judge Douglas, chairman of the committee on territories, for the establishment of a territorial government for Nebraska, he adopts these measures as the basis of his report. This bill, will, therefore, present a practical test of the good faith of those who, standing upon the platform of the Baltimore Democratic Convention of 1852, have thereby declared their intention of abiding by the settlement of the slavery question then made. That not only the administration, but the Democracy of the whole country will show their determination to stand by these measures, and to practically apply them whenever in the organization of territorial and State governments, or otherwise, the same principles shall arise, we feel the fullest confidence.