The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-04-14
Gbt ftlitiana 1tn,otrat.
The Democracy.

.W5t iN- Ha.uf va M
SIn spite Of the painful spectacle which
the agitated and upnormal state of public
feeling now presents to our country, no one,
conversant with our political history or who
has observed the sudden revcrses that have
befallcn the various parties which have
hitherto divided popular opinion and SEN.
timent, can feel any apprehension in regard
to the final triumph of Democracy over de-
magogueism, Of truth and progress over ig-
norancc and fanaticism. Though at times,
apparently shattered into fragments, it soon
resumes its pristine form and strength, its
broken columns wheel into line again, to
present a firm united 'front.' No. the Dem
ocratic party can never crumble-it is the
corner stone on which rests the fair struc-
ture of our Republican Government. Like
one of those gigantic piles which loom out
in the horizon, its base though lashed by the
angry surges Of the sea, stands firm and un-
moved, looking on with unconcern, as it
were, on the futile attacks directed against
it; while its apex, reared proudly aloft,
serves as a beacon to the deluded wanderer,
signal of consolation and of rest to the
oppressed and prosecuted Of every cline.
Like the Titans Of yore, the Democracy,
though worsted in the conflict, rises superb
or to its foe, and derives strength from its
fall. Such has ever been the case, and rea-
son and experience prove it. M ~
We have seen it defeated in 1840. and
sweeping the country in "A. In lS4S, the
prestige Of a popular name and the gallant
military reputation Of the Wing standard
bearer, combined with manifold trcachcries
in our ranks, inflicted on it defeat from
which our opponents thought it would nev-
er recover. At that time profound seers
prophesicd its downfall, and declared its
power and influence extinct. Yet, how un-
founded were their vaccinations. Who
does notremember the tornado which swept
over the land at the last Presidential elec-
tion, and the almost unanimous verdict of
the Nation in behalf of Democratic men and
Democratic measures. .N.
AS it was then, so it is now, and SO it
win be 1t is fact which must have at
tracted the attention of every observant
mind, that the Democratic party is never so
powerful as when it appears weak. We
have not forgotten the astonishing fact
which occurred in New Orleans and the
State, at the last Presidential election, and
which is fully corroborative of what we
have just asserted. At that period, the
City Government was in the hands of our
political opponents-the whole police, un-
der the direction of an autocracy, was made
to move like a powerful though ponderous
machine in support of Gen. Scott. They
had acquired some prestige 10y the brilliant
victories which they had achieved in elect
ing from the city an almost unanimous Wing
delegation to the State Convention, and in
securing an overwhelming large majority in
the joint branches of the city councils
Every thing seemed to prosper and to 60 on
swimmingly with them. they were conf
dent of success in the City and State, SO
muce SO, as to offer heavy bets, with heavy
odds on extremely large majorities. The
Democratic party, on the other hand, seem
ed crippled in its resources, unable to stir
and to make an effort. Patronage it had
none to give. All was in the hands Of its
opponents. Influence? None, except that
which good cause and sacred principles,
always exert. 1t prepared itself for the
ConIcSt, HoWeVcI, quickly anu WlIlout os-
tentation its faithful followers nerved them
selves to perform yeoman service, trusting
in the judgment ofthe masses and the good
ness of their cause. What was the result?
In spite of their influence, their brides,
their resources and their patronage, the CO.
horts of Whiggery were laid low and the
Democracy achieved noble triumph.
We mention these facts, in connection
with the subject, to remind our opponents,
that the lessons of the past, and the warn
ings of experience should not pass by them
unheeded We stigmatize as insincere, the
assertion that the Democratic party is no
more. They know it is not. If such was
the case, why do they take so much pains
to trumpet forth their transient victories?
Why do they make such efforts to combine
and fuse with the numerous and nonsensical
isms" of the day? Why are they so un-
scrnpulous in their means to attain their
ends?
The next Presidential contest will show
whether the party is entirely deprived of
vitality, and unable to resist the encroach-
ments about to be made on the constitution
of our land by ruthless band Of fanatics.