Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-10-02
What il Democeacyf

08y8 40, u0OoftDOk y ucf0Nu Ouukc
the attacks made upon him, BY asserting that the
Jadgs, Notwithstanding his political alterations,
was still q Democrat-in other words that he in
tended to vote the Democratic ticket in all future
elections, and that this was the only test that was
necesiasy to be applied. Provided a man voted
the Dsmesrasic ticket according to the logic of
this ST Louis scribe. he was Demoorat enough Tor
all practical purposes. and it made little or no diff.
ference what sort Of principles he held or profess
cd.
This has been our idea Of Democracy for q great
many ysars-but we scarcely expected a member
Of that party 70 come out and confess the fact 30
openly and boldly. We knew that pch was the
case, because We had seen men in different por-
tons Of the Usioa calling themselves Democrats
and voting Ter the Democratic candidates. who
never ~prdfcssed a principle that was held OF prAc-
tised by the Democracy in all their lives Wehavc
sfesa na5s this charge upon the Democracy, and
is he's often been deaied. But, Independent Of the
positive proof which could be addueed IA sustain
1t fron innumerable sources. We hase at last not
only Tie voluntary admission TO that effect Of one
whs seems to be q leader in the party, bst an alb
solute recommendation that inch a rae should be
universally established and enforced.
We have, however. evidence to the trufh Of the
charge, which coines in q much more authorita-
tive Sura. Tho Washington States publishes eve
ry morning at The head of its editorial column n
resolution passed by the late Democratic State
Convention Of Ohio, in solemn conelaya assem-
bled. This resolatioa the States says ii adopts
s it's platform" Here it is;
R.n1ur1 That tho no IT, ,r,n ~ ,riprirlaa Admit
ed by the National Convention nj Cincinnati is
the only authoritative exposition q Democratic
doctrines, and j. unaltcrablr, except iy . body
eQuai in power and authority with that conyen-
ton that in fhe mean time re NIL MAKE NO netr
issmes, and persit nenr NJ h. made, ns has Of par
ty fidelity, that re ~iH proscribe no Demoernt.a and
permit no prescription ef Deneerdfs, tnrnnse 81
difference Of opiaioa IN relation 10 the true ooast,uc-
lion Of any article in The creed. tut viii recognize
all men as Democrats, and none ether. Vha remain
in the organization and abide die usaees Of the
party"
1t seems to US that fhe meaning n the above
resolution IS Aboct a. plain a. language can make
it. Il is equivalent 70 saying that people may diff
fer a. much rs they choose about rhe lnoompton
Constisatien, the English Bill, The TariE, ake Pub
die Lands, or in short anything cIse-but 80 long
as they vote the Democratic ticket, SO long as they
rdlAhih N lt UHaIlIHLpu u hpaur obc AnuBcS
Of the party, - they will I've " recognised" ~ Dem
ocrats. This is the sum and the substsnne-thc
long and the short-pf the above resolution,
and nsthisg else oan be made out Of it, And it
convicts the Democratic party by the most positive
and conclusive evidence chat could be adduced-
namely, their o~n voluntary confession = that the
test Of Democracy is obedience to the iors and po-
lice Of the party, and not to iA prisos pies. Its
members are TO he allowed the largest liberty Of
thought, but not the slightest liberty OF action
They may differ tcto corie On cardinal measures of
public policy, bat as dong as they vote the Demo
cratic ticket, they arc hold ts be genuine, unadul-
tsratsd. pateutright, and reliable members of the
party. This is the plain English * the resolution
we have quoted-and it is precisely the accusation
which we have always endeasoSed to enforce
against the Democratic party.
In reply, then, to the question which heads this
article, we have 4 Democratic answer. Democra-
cy consists in Remaining in the organization, and
abiding the usages Of the party'-that is all. 1t
~'mahes NO tests t party fidelity" Is dong rs its
members vote right. They may think a. they
choose, so they vote the ticket. 1t win 'pnoscribc
no Democrat because Of dife ne noe Of opinisn.'-
vi COURSE not ZOE, u SUCH were u tase, laNouiu
prescribe Old Buck himself for being n Tariff man
and a Federaiist. 1t wonld prescribe Ntse for
being an anti Lccomptonise. 1T would prescribe
an the Northwestern Democracy for heing in fa-
vor of internal improvements and Sqoatter Sover-
-eignty-h would prescribe all the Maine and
Massachusetts Democracy for being in fvor of the
Fishery bounties-it would prescribe nil thu Cali
fornia and Oregon Democracy for being in favor
of . Pacific Railroads. would prescribe the
,SouSh Carolina sud Georgia pemccncy for being
i'm favor of re-opening the Slave Trade. In short,
if they were to prescribing ter differ
'ence of opinion touching the principles of the
Platform, vague as it is, they would soon Pr,scribe
of the whole party-and rs that would eaentuate
in the loss of the spoils to them, you may be sure
the Democracy ase going to do no suoh foolish
thing a. that. For one to shut his eyes. AM do
blindly whatever is told him, constitutes bir the
best Democrat. 70 commend ones self ~ n wor-
thy member Of that party, only let him sarr, ,nder
all personal independence, all selt-respect, oil pride
of individuality, al popularity of thought, and
follow like an accomplishing and manaoled slave.
wherever his masters lead. This it is, in these
2atter days, to be q good Democrat char acter
of which 80 many poor ieos are continually ',oast-
ing shsmssves. without knowing that the real
meaning'of it is. a good siaue!
The South and the Presidency.
Senator Brswn, of Mississippi, in his late 80. ,ecb