The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1855-06-08
The Present Attitude Of the Democracy


The Present Attitude Of the Democracy.
There never has been period in the
history of the democratic party when it
has presented a more gratifying spectacle
to the country than at this moment. In
no quarter has it coalesced with any Of
the isms of the day. In the free States
it nobly contends against the twin-organ.
izations of abolitionism and knownoth-
ings. In the South it as nobly resists the
combinations of wings and know -nothings
In Virginia its champions are active and
constant in their exertions, scornihg all
compromises with prescription. In Ohio
the war against the united tanaticisms is
resolute and irresistible. We gather ma
terial for profitable reflection from such a
review. II is something to see party
that can stand out against prevalent pop
ular majority, to encounter all the dangers
of defeat, and to prefer years Of minority
TO single hour Of craven submission 10
an unjust and dominant prejudice. But
there are other lessons taught by this ex-
hibition of fortitude and frmness in sup
port of high principles, One is, that the
best way to oppose fanaticism is to do
it boldly and perseveringly. :, The slight
est concession to the bank oligarchy, du-
ring the administration of Jackson, by the
man who then held the reins Of federal
power, would have destroyed the whole
moral of the democratic party during that
memorable struggle. Had that party
yielded for moment to the clamof of the
opposition in 1910, Its defeat would have
been more disastrous, inasmuch as it then
must have lost its honor. There never
was more plausibleand dangerous move
ment than the protective movement; and
yet it was only by boldly resisting it with
the weapons Of free trade that it lost its
prestige. Not less deceptive was the CON-
bination against the Independent treasury;
and yet the democracy blanched not in
the face of the tempest, but adhered to the
right until they rescued that great safe
guard of trade, and re-established it on
frmer ground than ever. And where, at
this moment, is there auy party, or any
body of men, in the free States, to repel
and to expose the designs Of abolilionism
bat the democratic party? This is, in
deed, severe trial to the constitutional
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 so fcrgetful of the
ordinary instincts of gratitude for gallan1
and disinterested friendship as to unite
with the very foes whom the democracy
resist for the sake of the South. But this
circumstance, disgraceful as it is to tn,
wings of the South, does not weaken tn,
energies or lessen the efforts Of the north
ern democratic party in defence of tht
rights of the States.
And so in regard to the new idea tina
has crept into politics-the idea of secre
prescription and public disfranchisement
The manly, above-board, and unequivoca
opposition which the democratic party ha
made, and Is now making, upon this ram
pant conspiracy, will be the greenest an
the most enduring laurel IN the garland
that commentaries IT'S victorious progress
Men will puse in a career Of mere passio
when they see the democracy unawed b
majorities and unabashed by Disaster
They will run over the record of the dem
ocratic party and will find that wheneve
it has done this, it has been inspired b
that prophetic courage which meets pres
ent combinations only the more completel
to deserve future honors and advancement
The democracy does not war upon thos
who have been deceived and deluded int
these dens of darkness. The broad truth
which it opposes to the mere phantasm
of worn-out hacks are intended not alon
to animate its own rank and file, but t
convert, to recall, and to protect, all me-
who may be in the new crusade, or ma,
bo disposed to embrace it. To all demo
Gratis SO situated, and to all liberal wings
this attitude of the democratic organiza
ton is full Of admonition and Of dignity
The entire mass Of the secret party
animated with the soul of the worst typ
of federalism, The serpent has cast hi
skin, but still remains the same serpen
II, at this moment, the administratio
were to adopt and act upon the entire cod
Of whig principles, this would not concil
ate the leaders Of the know-nothings. The