Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-09
PARTY NOMENCLATURE---
ANCE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
RETAINING ITS NAME.

butes of the thing named. The names of men,
which in early times doubt given with
reference TO localities occupations, or physical,
moral, and mental peculiarities, have ceased to
be SO applied. But when political parties are
formed, and have the choice Of their own names,
they always choose name expressive of their
principles and creeds 1t sometimes happens
that names given by adversary parties in de-
rsion, in order to bring ridicule, contempt, or
odium upon opposing parties.
II is curious and instructive to note the political
nomenclature that has obtained in this country.
Young as is our nation, party designations and
definitions have undergone many and marked
changes Time would fail, if learning held OUT
were we to undertake the task of presenting in
detail the various designations that have been
applied to sectional, State, and local parties;
is such our purpose. We only design to deal
with the prominent and imposing organizations
formed to secure national ascendancy.
No sooner was our Constitution adopted than
two great parties sprung up The one taught
that the Constitution created great consolidated
Government in which State sovereignties were
absorbed; the other, that the Constitution was
but compact between separate nationalties
formed for purposes of convenience in peace and
protection in The first received the name
of Federal party; the last the name of Repub-
lican party AS time passed, Federalism became
odious to the masses of the people, despite the
lustre which was shed ~ it by the names Of some
of the eminent men who espoused and sustained
it. Various names, at different periods, were
assumed in place Of it. 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,
principles, and purposes, the broader and better
term Democrats Between these two parties,
changed in name, but unchanged in material, the
same war continued. But Whiggery shared the
fate of old Federalism. The trick of name
failed to redeem its fortunes and promote its
aims. Unpopularity chung TO it, and disaster
still pursued. 1t persevered, however, in adher-
ing to its name through several Presidential con-
tests pretcrmitting 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 to exist party. The bulk
of the men who composed it had but two princi-
Piles in common. One the love of public
plumber; the other, hatred of Democracy.
These men, disnayed and COMPOUNDED by their
defeat in 1852, withdrew from the active scenes
Of life and sat IN sullen sorrow brooding the
ruin of their hopes. They sat in silence, but
their hearts were torn by the scorpions Of preju-
They CRASHED their teeth and they tore their
hair They were full Of anguish and cursed with
despair Suddenly dark spot appeared in the
East II was the rise Of that new party called
Know -nothings. Ii awakened their hopes and
recruited their energies. The "weak and
wounded-the sick and sore," sprang forward
with astonishing clasticy TO greet IL. Those who
had followed Clay, became the proselytes of Bunt-
line The Wings gave up their name and their
organization, and incorporated themselves with
the Know -nothngs. Those who had not the in
dependence TO 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, ratified, and approved
that secret order. Thus the only national politi-
cal party now arrayed against the Democracy is
the Know-nothing party.
From the first day that the Democratic party
assumed the name Of Democracy, il has chung
to it. Neither defeat nor victory has induced il
TO renounce that name. Democracy is not only
fit and appropriate name, but il is the only
term expressive Of the real character and pur-
poses Of the Democratic party. Nor is it only
name; it is vivid and living reality.
We have observed lattcrly that effort is on
foot 10 dignity the Know-nothings with the name
of the american party, and to degrade the Demo
cratic party, by styling il the an-7meriean party.
We have been astonished, too to find these APP
pellations used, time after time, in the columns
Of Democratic journals. This is both ill-judged
and wrong. II should be met at the threshold
and summarily arrested.
The only party that opposes the Know-noth-
ngs is the Democratic party. True, there are
many idividual Wings who have united with our
party in this opposition. Bot whilst we loyfully
receive their help, and sincerely applaud their
honesty and patriotism, we cannot agree that, out
Of compliment TO them, the Democratic party
shall renounce its time-honored name That
is tower Of strength, and should be re-
tanned so long this Government continues.
Least OF all are we willing to see that name, by
horrible abuse, changed into that of the anti
american party.
When individuals Join the Democratic party,
they must take the name of that party. II
ashamed to do 80, then our flag is not the flag for
them to fight under.
Nor does the name anti Kno,r- notting party
suit the Democracy. The Know nothing organ
ization is but ephemeral thing, opposition to
to which should not be degraded by new and
special christening The opposition to this thing
Of mushroom growth, is the opposition to every
form Of corruption, of error, of heresy, and ism.
That opposition is the Democracy. Unchanged
in nature, il should be unchanged in name. II
needs no shifts, contrivances, and fancy names
II is strong in its principles, and strong in its
name. As IL has stood all along, so should il
stand throughout the future, to guard the Con-
stitution from violation and abuse. Our children