Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-06-19
The Democratic Party and its Prospects.

Thefe is moral grandeur in tho spectacle
now presented by the Democratic party Of
the Union, with its platform and its candi-
dates, OF no ordinary magnitude and never
did 1t enter upon a national contest with
more brilliant auguries of success. There is
moral grandeur in the unanimity and
strength il exhibits in all the States, because
that unanimity and strength has been pur-
chased by no temporary expedients Of the
hourly no compromise with miserable her-
esieS and wicked dOgmas of brainlesS fanatics
by no alliance with the secret or open enc
mics Of tho Democratic faith to achieve a
momentary triumph at the expense Of honor;
but by a steady, unhinching, unfalterng de-
votion TO the Constitution and the Union
throbbing in all the springs of its mighty
heart for utterance, and speaking with but
one tongue through all its recognized organs,
which challenged the respect and won the
confidence of patriotic men everywhere, and
attracted to its standard, and gathered under
the streaming folds Of its banner "high ad-
vanced," every friend Of well regulated lib
erty and law.
We cannot shut our eyes to the fact, HUI
initiating as il may be, that our political his
tory, for the past two years, has been preg
mated with dangers that menaced our very
citadel Of Liberty itself-that has demon
strated beyond the shadow of doubt that
we have elements III our midst at war with
the very fundamental principles upon which
our free institutions are reared, aud which, II
not closely watched, repressed, aud crushed
out, may even yet, at some day not distant,
prove more destructive TO our peace and safe
| ty than az external foe and an "army with
banners" A secret party sprung up, bound
| together by the most disgusting oaths and
obligations, abd luriDg to its haunts and caves
its Neophytes by the Syreu voice and srgared
motto OF intense and exclusive Americanism
and popular religion. Regardless Of Conssi-
ton and Law, 1t attempted TO enforce its
mandates, ard assuming the prerogative Of
Deity himself, il made the accident OF
birthplace a crime, aud peculiar faith a
sacTelege. Like the assassin, il dealt Its
blows in the dark, and the victim knew NOT
the quarter where the danger lurked, and
could hence make no provision for safety
Through its system Of stealth and IhuggiSm
it controlled our elections, poisoned, in some
cases, the fountains of justice, desecratel our
legislative halls, aud obtruded its blatant IA
wings into the temples of the living God
II made war bravely in one State upon lone
ly and unprotected women; in another il
passed pfoseriptiye laws; in another, it got
up a riot, murdered innocent and defence
les men by Wholesale, and made mockery
! Of the elective franchise--that mighty though
| voieeless oracle Of freemen-by driving the
election officers from their posts, and burning
! the ballot boxes.
Against this hydra headed monster of big
otry aud intolerance, it was the peculiar mis-
sion of the American Democracy to wage an
] unceasins aud unconpromising war. Had II
| hesitated at this crisis-had i. paused to
count the cost. and not at the very thresh-
hold met and resisted the bsleful serpent that
was twining its deadly folds around the pill
lars OF the Constitution, and besliming the
temple Of Liberty itself, it would have been
false 10 all the proud memories of tho past
and to all the glowing hopes of the future
True 10 its high mission, il bravely sprung
into the breach. 1t sraFpled with it ike q
giant. II took and gave no quarter. 1t drew
the sword, and never shcathed it until the
foe lay painting and bleeding beneath its feet
imploring for mercy. This achievement wa:
the crowning glory of our great old parry
1t equaled the victory over the money power
in the glorious days Of Jackson.
I And now, this enemy driven from the Geld
we await foeman worthy of our STEEL
What phase the common enemy Of our party
may now take, or what they may now as
sumo, we cannot tell exactly, nor do we care
With National men, every where clustered
around our glorious ensign, with such noble
standard bearers as Buchanan and Breckin-
ridge, and with platform that knows nc
North, nor South, nor East, nor West, We en-
ter into this contest with the most inspiring
confidence Of an overwhelming triumph
II PtnnsWvafla4.