Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-24

ed opinions and judgment of the trainers of the
Constitution-men endowed with rare sagaci-
ty, prudence and foresight, and yet fresh from
the struggles Of the Reyoution-in these days
Of craftsmanship and political acumen, is at
tempted to be interpolated into the democratic
platform strange and damnable doctrines, and
new and outrageous tests of party fealty are
imposed. And this too, under the pretence Of
respect for the Constitution and its Compromi-
ses! as though the trainers of that sacred in
strument knew less of what they were doing
than the profound expounders of the present
day, with their new lights!
Emboldened by the success which has attend
ed each new move towards sectionalizing the
democratic party, its leaders have pushed far
ther and farther towards the consummation of
the scheme Party ties were strong indeed as
"acquiescence" in outrage and treachery sufi-
GENTLY proved. But it has only been because
people were deceived by specious pretexts, and
lulled into security by professions of friendship
for our national interests. The act which en-
croached upon the domain of Freedom, which
repealed Compromise of Thirty-four years
standing, which gave up the fertile plains of
Nebraska and Kansas to the designs of the
slavery extensionists, violating a sacred Ma
tional compact, and exhibiting a spectacle of
National insincerity and bad faith, developed
at once the plans of the leaders and aroused
public sentiment. From that day, the demo-
cratic party, as national party, ceased to ex-
ist Upon it falls the heaviest weight of guilt
and obloquy Of that nefarious transaction. A
Democratic Congress perpetrated and Demo
cratic President sanctioned the deed. 1t has
become heterodoxy to doubt the Democracy of
Slavery.
The National Democratic party was dissolv-
ed by repeal of the Missouri Compromise-but
its disentegration has been gradually but GER
tainly going on, since it has been made to pan
der to the interests Of slavery. That mighty
Power, whose interests are so compact and gi-
gantic, has stealthily but surely corrupted the
leaders of that party, and has succeeded in di-
verting its organization from its true and legti-
mate purposes 1t has been made subservient
to the interests of the STAKEHOLDER, and is no
longer a national, but a sectional party. 1t has
been prostituted and corrupted 1t is no long
er the party of liberal principles, of freedom,
of equality, of justice and truth, but the party
of human bondage, of narrow and circumscrib-
ed ideas, the adjunct of powerful olgarchy.
If successful, it would be potent only for evil
its triumphs would increase and deepen the stain
upon our national purity, would reward public
treachery, and subvert the spirit and genius of
our free institutions, making us mockery and
a by-word
Such we say, would be the inevitable result,
should the democratic party become the ally
and the tool of slavery. But, thank God, that
day has not yet arrived. As powerful as that
name is, it is not sufficient to excuse the basest
intentions and the most treacherous designs
AS deeply as it is revered, it is not potent
enough to cloak the preparation Of wrong
The late overthrow Of corrupt leaders has de-
monstrated this The demos krateoS principle
is asserting itself We have no fears for the
result. Animated by the same spirit which has
guided us through past conflicts, and directed
by the same principles for which we have al
ways contended, we shall await the purifca-
tion Of the democratic party from the discord-
ant and foreign element which has brought up
on it, deservdly, so many disasters Defeat
may be necessary to purge it, but we have the
consolation Of knowing that its reverses will
result in serious loss only to the dishonest lead
ders who have made traffic of the integrity of
the people.