The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-11-14
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
THE TRIUMPHANT DEMOCRACY.

when the democracy Vi the Couuiy gus io''i
10 do battle united, il is irresistible overwhelm-
ing, triumphant. The result of the election OF
1910, proved that when the Democratic party
becomes divided it is easily vanquished
The causes which led 10 defeat in 1910, as
well as those which produced the triumph just
achieved, must be apparent 10 all who are gull
ded by the influence of reason and the light OF
truth.
We desire not TO utter word Of unkindness
10 any one, or to wound the feelings of any one.
But we believe that, glance at the past, when
contrasted with the present, will prove emil
nently serviceable in the future
The Wings exulled in their triumph of lS4O.
On that triumph they based all their hopes and
expectations, amounting TO confident certainty OF
victory in 1914. They appeared never TO have
discovered that j. was not their strength which
gave victory TO them, but the detection in the
ranks of the Democracy, and the accession OF
strength which they thus acquired from that
quarter.
The Democratic party had long been accus-
toned to victory. Measures of transcendant
importance, which were opposed with all the
wealth and influence, bordering on desperation
ON the part of the Wing party, were carried
through uiumphantly. These successes and
victories encouraged and inspired a confidence
in the party in their ability to carry any mea-
sure. That conviction proved delusive, and
unpopular measures resulted in defeat.
We do not question the motives that induced
the recommendation of measures Of the cha
racter alluded to. We doubt not they had their
origin in, and were urged from, considerations Of
lofty patriotism. We speak of the consequences
and the results which followed.
Mr.. Van Buren, had the misfortune to be
elected President in the midst of what may be
termed tempest in the financial affairs Of this
country, which was then on the eve of an explo-
sion, and which, soon thereafter, took place, from
the effects of which no one, either rich or poor,
escaped. From state of apparent prosperity,
without parallel in the history Of this country
a revusion overlook it for which very few were
prepared, and fewer still foresaw. In the place
Of ease, afiluence, and enjoyment, the People
were suddenly plunged into a state of suffering,
penury, and distress. The Government, too,
from having its Golfers overloaded with treasure,
which it was necessary to devise unique mea-
sures TO disburden itself of, suddenly found it.
self under the necessity of calling an extra ses-
sion of Congress, for the purpose of providing
the necessary means 10 enable those intrusted
with them to conduct its affairs.
The measures that were recommended by
the Executive at that time, in the then condi-
ton of the country, both as related TO the Gov
eminent and the People, were regarded by a
considerable portion of the Democratic party as
unwise, impoitic, and uncalled for. Some Who
at first entertained these opinions, eventually
became the supporters of the measures. A
large portion, however, adhered to and main
tanned their original position and opinions
This, too Notwithstanding the pertinacity with
which the measures proposed were adhered to
by their authors. This led TO elimination and
re-crimnation. Acrimonious feeling followed.
One party was charged with being deserters
and renegades, while it was retorted back that
the other was proscrptive and intolerant-that
their object was to acquire supreme sway and
immediate all who would not obey their man
dates. Thus matters progressed-tbus they
stood at the time of the election in 1910. The
portion of the Democratic party of 1886, who
had differed from the authors of certain mea-
sures, and had adhered TO their original opin-
ions, and who, in consequence of which, felt
that an intoerant and proscnptive course had
been pursued towards them in certain quarters,
resolved to absent themselves from the polls al
together in 1910, or TO cast their votes for the
candidate of the party opposed to that with
which they had uniformly before acted. The
Wing party triumphed from these causes alone,
not from their own strength, as the gfea, mass
of the leaders have deluded themselves into the
belief was the case.
The Democrats have now achieved victo-
y-the Wings have been vanquished. Where
in lies the cause2 The very body of Demo-
crats, which we have referred to, who gave vic
tory to the Wings in 1910, have given it TO the
Democrats in 1914. They had the evidence
strongly before them, that the experience of the
pas, had convinced the great portion of the De-
mocratic party that the days of intolerance and
prescription bad passed by-that both were in
opposition to the character and principles of
a Republican Government The nomination
at the Baltimore Convention gave convincing
evidence Of the fact. Ia that nomination they
saw tina, the voice oflbe People was both heard
and needed. They then began to feel that
they would be secure in resuming their old po-
sitions in their party. This was the first symp-
tom of reunion of the Democratic party
The noble act of withdrawal by Mr.. Tyler, of
his name as a candidate for the Pre-
sidency, consummated the event which has
led to glorious triumph, which places the De
party in power again, probably for the
next quarter Of cenIury-leads to the asser-