The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1855-02-23
The Present Attitude Of the Democracy

history Of the democratic party when it
has presented more gratifying spectacle
to tie country than at this moment In
no quarter has it coalesced with any of the
isms Of the day. In Tie free States it no.
bly, contelds against the twin.organization
of.abolijionists and know-nothings. In
the South it as nobly resists the combina-
tons Of wings and know-nothings. In
Virginia its champions are active and con-
stant in their exertions, scorning all COM
promises with prescription. In New
Hampshire the war against the united ia
naticisns is resolute and irresistible. We
gather material for profitable reflection
from such review. 1t is something to
see party that can afford to stand out a.
gainst prevalen: popular majority, to en-
counter all the dangers of defeat, and to
prefer years OF minority to single hour
OF craven submission to an unjust and
dominant prejudice. But there are other
lessons taught by this exhibition Of forti-
tule and firmness in support of high prin-
ciples. One is, that the best way to op-
pose fanaticism is to do it boldly and per-
seversngly. The slightest concession TO
the bank oligarchy, during the administra-
ton OF Jackson, by the man who then
held the reins of fedesal power, would
have destroyed the whole moral OF the
democratic party during that memorable
struggle. Had that party yielded for a
, moment to the clamor of the opposition in
1910, lis defeat would have been more dis
astrous, inaSmuch as it then must have
lost its honor. There never was a more
plausible and dangerous movement than
the protective movement and Jet it was
only bv boldly resisting 1t with the weap-
ons of free trade that it lost its prestige.
Not less deceptive was the combination
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-es.ablshedit on frmer ground than
ever. And where at this moment, is
there any parry, or any body of men in the
free States, to repeland expose the designs
Of abolitionism but the democratic party?
This, is, indeed severe Trial to the con-
stitutionalcitizens Of the North, and chiefly
because, willie they are struggling against
the enemies Of the rights of the South,
there is body of southern men SO forget.
ful Of the ordinary instincts of gratitude
for gallant AMI disinterested friendship as
to unite with the very foes whom the dem.
ocracpsresist for the sake of the South
But this circumstance, disgraceful as it is
to the wings in the southern States, does
not weaken the energies or lessen the eff
forts Of the northern democratic party ii
defence of the rights Of the States.
And so in regard to the new idea tina
has crept into our politics--the idea Of Sc
cret prescription and public disfmnchise'
ment The manly, above-board and une
quivocal opposition which the democratic
party has made, and is now making upor
this rampant conspiracy, will be the green
est and most enduring laurel in the gar
land that commentaries its victorious
progress. Men will pause in career O.
mere passion when they see the democrn.
cy unawed by majorities and unsubdued
by disaster. They will run over the rec
ord of the democratic party, and will find
that whenever it has done this, it has been
inspired by that prophetic courage which
meets present combinations only the more
completely to deserve future honor and
advancement. The democracy does not
war upon those who have been deceived
AMI Ieldded into these dens OF darkness.
The broad truths which it opposes to the
mere phantpms of worn-out hacks aIe in-
senlel Ga6 alone to animate its own rank
and .i.o, but 10 convert, 10 recall and TO
protect al men who may be in the new
crusade, or may be disposed TO embrace it
TO all democrats 50 situated, and to all
liberal whigs, this attitude of the demo-
cralic organization is full Of admonition
and Of dignity.
TIE saiire mass Of the secret party is
anima'cG Sitl. ths soul Of the worsstype
Of i,,s.ets8.n The serpent has ees. Lis
s.5asisS ssE'ains the same serpent
II, S:t1ikllcoment tho administration vere
20 adopt aud sot npOn the entire code Oi