The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-06-30
From the Somerset Wing
The Ius0Ience Of Power.


to believe that we are extermlnated'-I
This insolence of power, this vanity OF
graduation, we can smile at IN dlsdan,
or allow to pass us by as the idle wind
which we heed not but it behooves US to
inquire if this very assumption OF conh-
dence, this contemptuous pride of strength
is not secretly undermining the rell-
ance of many in the eventual success
of our principles over the professions OF
our enemy. We find several hitherto
leading presses in our party disposed to
advise the abandonment of our present
rganization-to drop our distinguishing
name of Wing, and while yet clinging to
principle, to permit ourselves to be fused
into some other great party that perforce
must spring up in opposition to the one
that now is basking in the sunshine of pow
er. The teachings of the past have con-
veyed no instruction to advisers such as
these. Could efrontery and falsehood be
put down by exposure-could the wilfully
blind be made to see-could ignorance
be made to learn and understand, such
counsel might be wise. But behold the
loco-foco party! living lie-professing
one thing and acting another-gaining by
guile what it cannot by principle-Jesu-
itical to the core-assuming democra
cy which it knows not, and yet by the
very power Of its democratic" name sus-
tanning itself. Look again upon the Wing
party, with principles well defned-when
tested by experiment, always successful
-squaring its acts by its professions
marshalled and led by the ablest of the
nation-true in every thing but to itself
using power for the country's and
not its own beneft-now PROSTATE in
the dust. Can a change of organiza-
ton or of name raise it from humil-
iation? Idle is the thought. Disband
it-incorporate it with whatever party
you please-its principles are immutable;
by the strength of their power alone must
they prevail. The experience of the past
also teaches another lesson. The Fede-
raj party, at whose head at one time stood
the "father of his country" was signally
defeated. Counsels like those of the pres
ent prevailed, and it was formerly dis
banded 1t was abused, Yillifed, misrep-
resented and denounced, until its name
become almost Kissing and reproach
and no man scarcely had the moral cour
age to avow that he had borne the name.
Designing men who had once gloried in
its cause, hastened to join themselves to
its enemies, and proving the truth of the
old adage lone renegade is worse than ten
Turks" were loudest in their denuncia-
tions of what was once their pride. Soon
another party sprung up; new organi-
zation was effected; new principles deman
ded by different set of circumstances
were adopted, and the experiment of a new
party was partially successful. But one
of the most efficient means used against
it was by branding it with the name Of
Federal. This was adhered to most per-
sistently by such members of the oppo-
nSition as had formerly themselves felt the
THAT could be attached to a name
ed unpopular, and reproach;
ether with the charm to all
"a citizens in the word democ-
done more to prevent the full
ef the Wing party than aught
fWill a change of name or of or
ation prove more efficient in future
"a it has done in the past? We trow
a and he that would change a princi-
pie for the sake of expediency, has no lot
or part in the Whig party to which we
belong. What is there in our late defeat
that we have not encountered and over
come heretofore =? Why should we be
discouraged and lend our ears to the sy-
ren song of those who would fain lead US
astray? Was not our defeat in 1914
more calling, desperate and heart-dis-
tracing than the last? The party was
then untitled on by the immortal Clay,
whose image was enshrined in the heart of
every true Amcrican-and yet we failed.
Who then talked Of disbanding7 Our
defeat nerved every arm, and in 1848
we gloriously vindicated our honor and
triumphed over our adversaries, garland
ed as they were with the trophies of a
successfully conducted war We entered
the last campaign after protracted strug-
gle in making nomination, which left
many seeds of bitterness behind to bear
fruit against the success of our nominee
Sectional issues told with killing force a.
gainst US. We were beaten by our dis
fractions before We were fairly marshall |
ed for the fight; and yet we polled larger
popular vote than we had hitherto done
since a party. Surely there is nothing
in this to impair confidence in future sue
cess. We were less than men to aban-
don ourselves to despair for such an over
throw, and more than imbecile to be bad
gered into it by the SCOTS and ridicule of
our triumphant adversaries, or their de-
signing affectation of belief in our death
and political damnation. Their gibes
and sneers are but the ebullition of be-
sotted joy at their victory. The same
party ridiculed Gen. Harrison, villifed
Henry Clay, and scoffed at Winfield Scott;
and yet what true Wing ever had his O.
pinion changed by reason of them, or for
one moment faltered in the performance
of his duty? The present Administra-
ton in its distribution of the spoils is rap
JIry soruino, tba soa5. of a