The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-03
The Canvass in Ohio.


before us, is calculated to inspire rather
Indifferent interest in what may be called
the contest, though really there is but the
form OF contest without its substance and
spirit. The Democracy are strong and in
power; our enemies weak, broken down,
as state organization and unity, dead.
Our friends deem it scarcely necessary TO
organize, or to think of action. Yet there
is no more subtle danger to party, than
this very confident selfsecurity, which
Democrats may naturally feel in contem-
plating the state Of things before them. We
are at the very acme of political domina.
tion-to outward appearances. invincibly
entrenched in power, with our enemies
literally under our feet. But it has been
truly said by philosophical writer-and
his words are cogent warning TO all tri-
umphant parties-''in this world all things
react: and the very extremity of any force
is the seed and nucleus Of counter agen-
cy." The most sangune assurance Of
permanent rule over public affairs may be-
get lull in our vigilance, in which we
may be surprised and overthrown by all
enemy always on the look out-always in
IlOSt sui e W SlIlhG WHeI-
ever their adversaries are most soundly
asleep.
1t is enough that the Democratic party
should have struggled despite repeated dis
asters, in long continued exclusion from
rule at last to put their foes to route, and
sweep the State clear of every remnant OF
whiggery. Their patient and eventually
successful toll will prove fruilless, if they
maintain not their possession of power
long enoughto perfect that progress which
but few years of experiment have only
enabled them to commence. 1t is not suf-
fcient that we should have remodelled the
fundamental law, and partially embodied
the principles for whose practical enforce
ment the Democratic party~as built up.
If the opponents Of those Principles are
ever suffered to dispossess us of the ad-
ministration of the State, they will totally
reverse every desirable feature of policy.
for espousing which. the people have given
US our present position. The result of
whig triumph would be to put back the
government to that condition, in which but
few years ago, the alternative seemed to
be peaceable reform or violent convulson
Although the whig party now almost ST.
lently submit to remain PROSTATE. they
have not given over the hope of re-instat.
ing the measures which were repudiated
when the Democracy came into the control
of the State. Allow them but for one term
to secure in the Legislature controlling
majority. accompanied by the success Of
their State ticket, and we shall again see
them evince their old partially for the ex-
elusive interests of corporatons-their old
determin alton to exempt capitalists from
an equitable share in support of govern
ment-their old determination to regain
the control of the public money, and to di-
vert it from its legitimate use. In short.
every measure of the whig party, which
they could re-establish under our present
constitution, they would revive with all its
evil features and tendencies. The recen,
struggles between the Wing, and the Dem
ocratic parties were too embittered, too
deeply fraught with the conflicting inter-
ests of wealth on the one hand, and pop
ular rights on the other, to be easily for
gotten. No one can believe that the wings
have abandoned the purposes by which
they were then actuated. No one can
doubt, if they recover a decided hold on
political power, but that they will set at
once to work, to convert the government
into great patron OF every scheme of
corporate privilege. to the detriment ofthe
masses.
A cardinal and special motive 10 thor
ough Democratic effort, exists in the course
taken by the Wing party to secure the E.
lection of one Of their leaders, to the re-
sponsible and powerful office of State Com
missioner of Common Schools. We have
never known that party to get up 80 artful
an organization, or one so profoundly un-
scrupulous and dishonorable, as that by
which they are preparing for the election
of LoRIN ANDREWS. They have never re-
sorted more brazenly to charlatan trickery.
or to whining hypocrisy. than we now see
and hear from them, in their advocacy of
their party nominee for Commissioner. 1t
is not that they may thus swindle the peo-
pie into mere partisan triumph to Whig-
gerry. A deeper and a far more danger
Gus. though not more shameful purpose,
instigates that party in their efforts to elect
their candidate for this office.
The School Law expressly gives to the
Commissioner the Correction and CONTROL
of the school funds of the State. That
fund, for the ensuing year, will not fall far
short OF TWO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. twill
be found necessary, we believe, that the
immense trust vested by the School Law
in this regard, shall oe hedged round with
far greater and more explicit restrictions
than are now provided in the School Law.
1t is also we'll kno Hn that many Of the best
men in Ohio favor a modification of the
taxing provisions Of this law, by which this
tremendous sum is to be raised. 1t is a
significant and striking fact, that the Wing
party stand pledged in advance against
any notifications OF the law in these i'm
portant respects, or in any other, which
future experience or reflection may prove
to be desirable. 1t is serious question
even now, whether the people will abide
an amount of expenditure in the inception
'of the new school system, so much beyond
their expectations. Yet the Wing party
hesitate not to avow in advance their hos
tility to any amendment, looking to the
better security Of the funds against the
possibility of corruption. or even to its re.
duc,ion. upon any condition whatever.
Now in connection with their position