Mariposa Democrat., 1857-05-13
THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY

THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY.
One test of Democrats devotion and fide
ty, is the constant keeping in mind in all po-
litcal transactions of the remote as well as pre-
sent interests of the Democratic cause. The
people may be my enemy, but never will be
theirs" is noble sentiment deathless as time.
Every Democrat should inscrbe it on his ban
ner, and adopt it as a chart by which to shape
his political course. 1t is evident that the only
party now capable Of correctly attaining the
grand designs of the founders of our matchess
system of government, is the Democratic party.
Its illustrious recollections its vigor of prnci-
pie, its jealous concern for the safety of the
Constitution, and stern opposition to the storms
of faction, insure its durability and longevity.
Therefore to perpetuate it with these attributes,
every Democrat should always stand ready
with personal oblatons to offer up on the altar
of the great and true cause. However much a
member of our party sets his heart upon office
or position, he should square all his aims to the
general welfare of the organization, and ever
subject them to its known will expressed
through its conventions and recognized organs.
When our foes perceive this disposition in a
Democrat they, ignorant of its causes, con-
temptuously denominate it party servility-
they little know the faith from whichit springs,
the deep foundation of its principle-and that
such sacrifices, though difficult for an inde-
pendent mind, are made for the cause of the
party nnder the belief of its being the true
cause of liberty and mankind
With admiration and reverence we contem-
plate and accfedt such devotion to the human
welfare, and to all such accusations are enabled
to rejoin with the invincible argument, that the
man is far from being servile, whose only aim
in devoting himself to the freest party on earth,
is to secure the utmost liberty to mankind. IL
this be true, are not they misnamed who,
styling themselves Independent Democrats, are
sometimes found obstructing the very indepen-
dence the Democracy struggle to secure, by
attempting TO divide its votes, and arrest and
otherwise hinder its firm and steady progress?
Some in our ranks occasionally become strong
ly enamorcd of personal emolument, who if
disappointed of nomination, in the blindness of
selfshness, forget the great ends of the organ-
zation, and become easy captves to the prompt
ings of passion, resentment and schism. In
such course they do not consider how much
they endanger their country, its cause, and
themselves. We are not altogether wanting in
indulgence to the infirmites of nature, and adj
nit it is hard to reconcile oneself to the res
tiveness of disappointment, after the sudden
vanishing of bright and cherished prospects
almost within the grasp And we would re-
commend to the unlucky aspirant the reflective
philosophy which teaches that in matters of
chance, where there are many competitors and
single prize it is impossible for more than
one to gain that it is better majority Of
convention and those they represent should
have the selection, than the individual aspirant,
whose choice of course is himself That even
though he is, or conceives himself wronged
would it mend matters to revenge himself at
the polls upon the lucky nominee by elevating
to Office, influence and power, the avowed ad
versary of temporal redemption. That the evil
example infects others with imitation. That
the injury thus done is to cause enshrned in
the affections of lberty-loving people, against
which its foes can only prevail by sowing bick
ering strife and distraction in ranks which
should ever be harmonious and fraternal.-
That revenge has but poor profit, and its epi
logue always is regret and self-reproof That
it is better to shoulder the musket in good
than bear the sword in a doubtful cause. The
consolation of the defeated Athenan candidate,
who rejoced that his countrymen had found
for their government man surprising himself
in merit, is an imperishable instance of patri-
otic self-devoton.