The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-09-09
WHOLE NO. 237.
From the United Stltes Journal.
WHO ARE THE OLD HUNKERS?

WHO ARE THE OLD HUNKERS,
We are indebted to the able edior of the
SteuJenuHIe Union for the following expos-
lion of Old Huaterism. 1t tells the whole
story in few words. ....
"OLD HuNKERs."-soms people appear TO
be at 4 loss to know who are the " old hunk
ers" so much talked Of If that is all they
wish TO know they can soon find out all they
desire. The cod hunkel" in the democra-
tic ranks is fellow behind the democratic
tendencies of the age-le opposes democra.
tic progress by standing still when all the
world around him is moving forward. He
sticks to paper money like grim death to
dead niggor;" and has not mind enough to
preceve right from wrong. Such there are
in the democratic ranks; but they are being
left SO fur Jeiind, in the race with the demo
cracy who roll the progressive ball, that no.
body knows where to find them!
These are the men who lave ridden upon
our necks like the old man of the sea, in the
story of Sinbad the sailor; they are the men
of seven princip pl2s-ivo loaves and two
fishes; they are those who have "prnciple
in proportion to their interest,"" whose pa
triotism depends upon calculations of profit
and loss; they have been curse instead of
a blessing to our cause. They have retard-
ed our progress-have held in fetters the free
spirit, which would otherwise have explored
the yet undiscovered regions Of human i'm
provcment and unvesi happiness. The
lime is rapidly com ng when their plralyzng
chains will be thrown of-yhen their palsy
ing and corruptng influence will become
extinct.
The period cannot come too soon. Most
gladly would we exchange ten of these dead
weights upon the progressive democracy of
our land, for one young and enterprising
whig-who is wing only in name. There
are il host Of young men now acting in the
wing ranks, who are genuine republicans at
heart and in principle; they arc kept out of
our party by the political hypocrisy of these
"wolves in sleeps clothing" who are so
properly termed "Old Hunkers" If these
venerable old gentlemen, who have nothing
il common with Us but the nam, will col-
sent TO withdraw from our rlnks, their pl4ca,
will be filled (tcn fr one) by the young re-
pnbl,cans, WHO have as little sympathy with
Old federalism, as thes, sold huqkerSn have
with the Young Democracy We propose
to make the eXchInge at once. Are you
all agreed?
But there is another question-Wno ARE
THE YoUNG DEMOCRACY? They are the very
reverse Of the Old H4afcrS, as a mltter Of
course. They are the party of progress,
improvement and reform; they are the true
friends of equality against privilege-the
sworn foes of special legislation anI mono
poles; they look upon nan as brother, all
justly clliming the same political rights
lnderour national constitution; they demand
therefore that all feet should stand upon the
sam poIlicllcvel. They claim no interests
distinct from the great mss of the party, or
their fellow ciIil ms generally; there are 10
time-serving demlgogucs among them who
would bring about in eStrangement Of poll
teal feeling between the young and the old,
simply on account of their age, or merely to
crafty some selfish purpose. They are not
factonists; they 80 for harmony, not division;
for unity and peace, moi faction and discord
They seek 10 cTeae no disracting jealousies,
to foment no heart burnings; but they seek
the "greatest happiness of the greatest
number" They demand th,t the blessings
0: government sholld be as generally and as
equally diff'lsed, as the light Of the sun, or
the rain from heaven. For this cause-:o
accomplish this glorious work--they are
banding together. In union and harmony
they expect TO find strength They have put
on their armor--they have enlisted during
the war. Let what may come, they will nei-
ther ground their arms nor turn their backs
upon the foe. They may fall, but they will
never surrender.