The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-07-16

circumstances, there succeeded under Mr.
Monroe period described as "the era oil
good feeling" when party spirit was at a
low ebb, and regular, formal, poitical divs
ions were almost unknown. The election
Of 1924 reawoke the spirit of contest, and
there were formed parties of administration
and opposition, The latter substantially reor.
gan ization of the Democratic party, with ac-
cessions from that branch of the Federal
party which had been least offensive in It's
course in previous struggles. The Demo.
cratic passions of this country took fire at
the congressional decision in the election of
President, and in 1928 Pennsylvania led the
way, under Mr. Buchanan and others, in
the great popular decision in favor of Gen.
Jackson. The majority given by our State
on that occasion is one of the proud spots
in lis history, and exhibited sagacity, sense
of justice and due appreciation of public
services on the part Of our people.
In The year 1910, a struggle of almost un.
exampled violence occurred, resulting in the
defeat Of the Democratic party and its ejec.
ton from power The causes Of that reverse
lie patent upon the history of the times, and
were mainly connected with convulsions of
the currency and consequent commercial
distress. Time has vindicaled the party then
defeated from the charges made against it,
and relieved it from The temporary obloquy
under which il labored, by proving the wis
dom and solidity of the measures il support
ed. Nor is il without instruction that we no.
tice, that The party then successful enjoyed
but barren victory and was found incapa-
BILE of maintaining the position it had won.
The election of Gen. Taylor in Is4S was
popular misjudgment, The causes of which
ale to be sought in democratic divisions, en-.
thusiasm, for services in popular war, and
opposition TO the then recent legislation of
1916 including the revision of duties on i'm
ports. In the year 1850 sectional passion,
which had been gathering head for some
years, formed practical issues regarding the
Territories, producing new and unusual di-
visions of public men and convulsing the
whole country with agitation. The adjust.
ment then arrived at was followethand sane
toned by The election OF 1852, and passed
into the history of the country 10 the high
honor OF those concerned in securing it. The
year 1856 opens upon lis under new condi.
tions and with issues Of portenious char.
acter, 10 which your attention will be pres.
emily invited.
An obvious reflection upon the history Of
parties, TO which allusion has been made, is
the almost uninterrupted success of the De.
mocracy. Rarely, and for short periods only,
have they failed in maintaining their ascend
ency, and The organizations in opposition,
when successful, have almost invariably
won their triumphs in sinister or acci9en.
,al manner. The election of Mr.. Adams in
1924 was not by the popular voice, but in
opposition 10 it, and through the instrument
,ality of Congressional action. The elections
of 1910 and ls4s can scarcely be regarded
as party triumphs, and besides upon both
those occasions, in consequence OF the means
used 10 insure success of the lack of con-
sislency and cohesion in the elements op-
posed to us, and Of The accidental decease
of the President elected, power speedily
passed into other hands. In fact, the admin
islration of Tyler which supervened upon
the cecease of Gen. Harrison, became es.
senlially democratic. The slavery issues of
1850 miligated the partisan character of Pres
ldent Fillmore's administration, TO such an
extent tina; his nomination was refused by
the Wing convention of 1852. Excluding
his administration from account, there has
been no anti,democratic administration of
the Government for full term since the year
1900, except that Of Mr.. Adams, which was
not placed in power by vote of The people
but by congressional election.
The amazing growth, progress and pros.
perliy OF the country during this period of
more than half century, have beer under
Democratic rule, and constitute fair claim
10 popular confidence Until, therefore, il is
shown that this organization is changed in
character, and become incapable of accom-
plishing the objects il has heretofore achev.
ed and giving 10 the country the blessings Of
good government there is good reason for
continuing il in power. But is il not evident
that 1t is more necessary at this juncture 10
the public welfare. than at any former period
OF our history. 1t is national party, con-
fronting sectional factions, and the only par
iy competent 10 crush them and hold the
Union in harmony. sar.
Another reflection, suggested by review
OF our history, is The fidelity of the Demo-
cratic party to the constitution, or rather to a
legitimate and just construction of it, II has
stood up, consistently, against all measures
and anytime Of public policy not plainly war
ranled by that instrument. And its successes
have arisen from this fact, inspiring as il has
done, the confidence Of the people, end Ie-
sulling as it has in wise, safe and salutary
administration Of public affairs II may be
the proud boast Of our party that it has stood
by the constitution through good and through
evil report and has more than once under.
gone defeat rather than abandon the princi-
Piles 10 which il held, II has not Showed
The knee to Baal, ', nor been unlailhful to lis
constitutional duties, even when interest and
the clamor of the time invited il. AS lately
as 1854, it refused ''to 60 with The multitude
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