Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-06-16
Party Nomenclature Importance OF the
Democratic Party Retaining Its Name.

when names are bestowed with reference
TO the character and attributes named. -
The nanesof ,nen, which in early time!
were no doubt given with reference to 10
ca'ities, occupations, or physical, mora
and mental pecnliarities, have ceased t,
be so applied. But when political parties
dre formed, and have the choice OF thei
own names, they always choose a name
Expressive of their principles aud creed-
It sometimes happens that names are givei
by adversary parties in derision, in order
to bring ridcule, contempt, or odium upon
opposing parties.
1t is curious and instructive to note I'll,
political nomenclature that has obtained ir
this county. Young as is our nation, par.
ty designations and definitions have un.
dergone many and marked changes
Time would fail, If learning held out,
were we to undertake the task of present.
ling in detail the various designations that
have been applied to sectional State and
local parties, nor is such our purpose =
We only design to deal with the promi.
nent and imposing organizations formed to
secure national ascendaney.
No sooner WAS our Constitution adopted
than two great parties sprung up. The
one taught that the Constitution created a
great consolidated Government in which
State soversignties were absorbed; the
other, that the Constitution was bu, d
compact between separate natIonaIities
for purposes of convenience in peace and
protection in war. The first received the
name Of Federal party; the last the name
|of Republican party. As time passed.
Federalism became odious to the masses of
the people. despite the lustre which was
shed on il by the names of some of the
eminent men who espoused and sustained
it. Various names, of different periods,
were assumed in place oft. Finally, the
term Wing was chosen as the substitute.
Meanwhile, those who at first assumed
the name Of Republican, selected as more
in harmony with their instincts, prinei-
Piles, and purposes, the Broader aud bet
ter term-Democrats. Between these two
partiesS changed in name, but unchanged
in material, the same war continued. But
Whiggery shared the fate of the old Fed
eralsm. The trick Of name failed 10
redeem its fortunes aud promote its aims
Unpoprlarlty chung to it, and disaster still
pursued. 1t persevered, however in adj
herring to its name through several Presi-
dental contests. pretermitting in some, its
dearest principles. But i'll luck will break
any back and bow down any form. 1t
broke the bark Of the Wing party. At the
close of the last Presidential campaign,
that party retired from the observation OF
the world. 1t ceased 70 exist party
The bulk Of the men who composed il
had but two principles in common. One
was the love of public plumber; the 9TH
er, hatred Of Democracy. These men,
dismayed and COMPOUNDED by their defeat
in 1852, withdrew from the active scenes
Of life and sat in sullen sorrow brootling
owe: the ruin oil their hopes. They sal
ia silence, but their hearts were torn BY
the scorpions Of prejudice, disapp ontment, |
resentment, and passion. They CRASHED
their teeth and they tore their hair. They
were full of anguish aud cursed with
despair. Suddenly dark spot appeared
in the East. 1t was the Use of that new
party called Know Nothlngs. 1t awaken
ed their hopes and recruited their ener-
gies. The "weak and wounded-the
sick and sore," sprang forward with as
tonishing elasticy 10 greetit. Those who
had followed Clay, became the prosely ties
Of Buntline. The Wings gave up their
name and their organization, and incor-
porated themselves with the Know-Noth-
ings. Those who had not the irdepen.
dcnce 10 unite with the Democrats, and
who had TOO much pride to take the oaths
of the secret order. yet voted the tickets
OF that order. They thus recognized, cat.
fled, and approved that secret order.-l
Thus the only national political party now
arrayed against the Democracy is the
Know Nothing party.
From the first day that the Democratic
party assumed the name OF Democracy, it
has chung to it. Neither defca. nor VIC
tory has induced it to renounce that name.
Democracy is not only fit and appropri-
ate name, but it is the only term express
i've OF the real character and purposes OF
the Democratic party. Nor is it ouly a
name it is a vivid and living reality.
We have observed latterly that an effort is
on foot to dignity the Know Nothings with
the name OF the American party, and to
degrade the Democratic party, by styling
it the anti-American party. We have been
too, 10 find these appellations
used, time after time, in the columns of
Democratic journals. This is both i'll
judged and wrong. 1t should be met at
the threshold aud summanly arrested.
The only party tina, opposes the Know
Nolhings is the Democratic party. True,
there are many indisidual Wings who have
united with our party in tins opposition.
But whilst we joytuly receive their help.
and sincerely applaud their honesty and
patriotism, we cannot agree that, out of
com pliment to them, the Democratic party
shall renaunce its time-honored name
That name is a tower Of strength, and
should be retained SO long as this Govern
ment continues. Least Of all are we will
ing to see that name, by horrible abuse.
changed iuto tina: If the aati..7mericaa
party.
When individuals join the Democratic
party they must take the name Of that
party. RI ashamed to do so, then our flag
is not the flag for them to fight under.
Nor does the name ansi-Knov Nothing
party suit the Democracy. The Know
Nothing organization is but an ephemeral
thing, opposition to which should not be /