The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-04-04
The Present Attitude Of the
Democracy.

has presented = more gratifying spectacle
to the country than at this moment. In
no quarter has it coalesced with any OF
the is.ns Of tho day. In the free States it
nobly contends against the twin-organi-
cations Of abolitonis,s and know.noth.
ings. In the South it az nobly resists the
combin atoms Of wings and Know. Moth.
ings. In Virginia its champions are &C.
tive and constant in their exertons, scorn.
ing oil compromises with prescription
In New Hampshire the war against the
united fanaticisms is resolute and irresis.
table. We gather material for profitable
reflection from such review. Ii is some
thing to SEQ q party that oan afford to
stand out against prevalent popular ma
jority, to encounter all the dangers Of de.
feat, and to prefer years Of minority to
. single hour Of craven submission to an
unjust and dominant prejudice. Blu, There
are other lessons taught by this exhibition
Of fortituds and frmness in support OF
high principles. One is, that the best way
to oppose fanaticism is to do it boldly
and perseveringly. The slightest eonces.
sion to the bank oligarchy, during the
administration Of jackson, by the men
who then held the reins Of federal power,
would have destroyed the whole moral Of
the democratic party during that memoir
able struggle. Had that party yielded
for moment TO the olamor of the oppo
si,ion in 1910. its defeat would have been
more disastrous inasmuch as it must then
have los, its honor. There never was a
more plausible and dangerous movement
than the protective movement; and yet
ii was only by resisting it with the wea.
pons Of free trade that il lost its prestige.
Not less deceptive was the combin alton
against the independent treasury; and
yet the democracy blsnched not in the
face Of the tempest, but adhered to the
righ. until they had rescued that great
safeguard of trade. and re.established i,
on Grmer ground than ever. And where
at this moment, is there any party. or any
body OF men, in the free States, 10 re-
pei or 10 expose the designs Of abolition.
lists bu. the democratic party? This is.
indeed, severe trial to the constitutions al
citizens Of the North. and chiefly because
while they are struggling against the enc
mics Of the rights OF the South, there is a
body OF Southern men 80 iorgetful OF the
ordin ary instincts of gratitude for gallan
and disinterested friendship as 10 unite
with the very foes whom the democracy
resist for the sake OF the South ! But ,hi.
circumstances, disgraceful as il is to wh,R'
in the Southern States, does not weaken
the energies or lessen the efforts Of thu
northern democratic party in defence o
the rights oi the Statss.
And so in regard to the new idea tina
has crept into our poli.ics-the idea Of Sc
cret prescription and public dislranchise
ment. The manly, above. boa ard. and un
equivocal opposition which the democrs
tic party has made, and is now maxim,
upon this rampant conspiracy. will be .h'
greenest and most enduring laurel in ,h'
garland that commentaries IFS victoriou
progress. Men will pause in a career o
mere passion when they see the democra
cy unawed by msjorities and unsubdue'
by disaster. They will run over the re
cord Of the democratic party, aud vii
find whenever il has done this, it has beel
/ inspired by tha, prophetic courage whic
meets present combin a,ions only the NOR
completely 10 deserve future honor an
advancement. The democracy doss no
war upon those who have been deceived
and deluded into these dens of darkness
The broad truths which it opposes TO tn
mere phantasms Of worn out hacks ar
intended not alone to animate its ow
: rank and file. but to convert. to recall an
10 protect, oil men who may se in the me-
crusade. or may be disposed to embrac
it. To ell democrats 80 situated, and
all liberal wings. this attitude Of the den
ocratic organization is full OF admonitio
and dignity.
The entire mass Of the secret party
} animated with The soul Of the worst Typ
Of federalism. The serpen, has cast HI
. skin, but still remains the same serpsn
. II. at ,his moment. the administration wei
TO adopt and act upon the entire code
. whig principles, this would mol concilis'
> the leaders OF the know Eothings. The
would 90 to the polls and vote against
10 man. Without neutr al;zing u sing
enemy they would ALLEVIATE all their friend
? and, in graspiag at a shadow, lose I'll
/ substance forever. II is our duty. ther'
!. fore. to give il to them hip and thigh
hold them at armslength. and shake tn
: dry boues Of this portentious skeleton Il
J. they rattle like dice boxes. Half mea
I ures are always bad. and. worst Of all.
> such crisis as the present. The tru
, democracy Of tie good old school mu
6ght it out. They shall descend to
Z compromises, no treaties. no bargains.
. concessions. II they are beaten, it wi
. be like the Americans in tho revolution,
attack the enemy Immediately afier.-
The Democracy have no other ground o
which TO fight their battles but principles
and il behooves them to stand by them
the last moment. in the last ditch. II the
: yield an inch, the citadel is lost Was
g Union.
Western Eloquence.
!, The following is al extract from
:, speech made in an adjoining county. an