The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-19
Open Enemies and False Friends.

The party out Of power and office, as
the whig party generally is, has one ad-
vantage over the party in power. The
party having control Of the State or ma.
tional administration, and the majority in
Congress or the legislature, mus, do the
positive acts. They must enact the laws,
aud attend to their execution. They must
manage the public works, disburse the
public monies, and carry on the entire
machinery Of the government. All laws
enacted, and all acts done by the party
in power, whether right or wrong, are
exposed to the censure of the opposition.
The minority party originate no meas
ures, assumes no responsibility, and, in
fact, has little to do but to oppose the rul
ing party.
Such is the position of the two great
parties Of the country now. The demo-
Gratis have control Of the national, and OF
most of the State administrations OF the
whole country; and have majorities in
most Of the legislatures also. All positive
legislation. all laws demanded by the pub.
lie interests and necessities, they must
originate and enact. They must see that
the laws are faithfully executed; disburse
the public moneys; and manage the whole
machinery Of the national and State gov
ernmenis. Such is the task now commit.
ted to the democracy by the people,
Nearly all the time, for the last half cen.
tury. the people have chosen to entlus,
their public interests to the democrats; and
the unexampled prosperity, the rapid ex-
pansion and growth Of the country in
wealth and power, and all the elements oi
national greatness. during all that time
afford sufficient evidence that the demo.
Gratis have not betrayed or abused their
trust. Democracy is now what it evel
was, pursuing the same liberal and pro-
gressive policy. and re-affirming and de-
Tending its time honored ard enduring
principles.
While sueh is the grave and RESPONSE
ble task of The Democracy now, the Whie
party, and all other factions, whom the
people have so repeatedly and emphati
cally refused to trust. have nothing to dc
but 10 slander the democrats, oppose al
their measures, and to deceive and mis-
lead the people. Such is the task of the
Wings, Abolitionists and ow-Nothing.
now; and in it they, OF course, are joinec
by the disappointed Office seekers Of the
Democratic party, who imagine the coun
try is ruined because their merits ant
claims are overlooked; and who would
ruin the party to which they profess at
tachment because it has not offices enough
in its Gift to reward them for their real o.
imaginary services. OF all the enemie.
Of Democracy these are the worst. tn,
ISLANDERS Of Whiggery fall harmless.
is their trade. The rawlings Of Abolition
ism the people heed not. Their vitality
and existence is in agitation. They car
do the great party Of the people no harm
But the treachely Of pretended friends
whose private griefs are too strong fol
their principles, give courage to our enc
mics, and furnish them with weapons fo
their incessent warfare. Our party ha.
nothing TO fear from the assaults OF oper
/ enemies, however violent, malignant, per
severing and lying they may be. But the
false and treacherous enemies within ou
own camp may do the great cause o
Democracy some harm. But it will bt
only for short time. Our principle.
must prevail, and our cause triumph
is the cause Of the people, and Of free
dom and self government. and must eve
prevail in this country.-Pins1urgh Post