Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-11-17
The Duty ofDemocrats.

~ Inc NiHlC elections Oh ltJN, are now
past Whatever feeling or conlrolc crsy a
mong Democrats may have characterized
them and weakened and broken our pow,
er fo, The time being in any State, has
gone by, and 10 is better and wiser to look
to tothofuturc, than TO dwell ON past heart
buuiugs or differences. The success of
the Dcmocrolic party in 1860 from this
dime forward should be the governing
motive ofpolitical action on the part of
Democrats All minor considerations, all
local controversies, all impulses all impul-
scs 10 punish real or iancied injuries
-hould be merged in the paramount con
.ideration OF carrying the next Presden-
tial election Not merely the prosperity
of the Democratic party and the interests
ofits members, but the higher duty Of pat
riotism and Of fidelity to the Interests and
honor Of the country requires this action
For ourselves, we shall endeavDr to act on
the rule which we recommend TO others,
and recognizing no sectional or personal
political interest, labor to promote the
.,eneral success of the Democratic cause,
and especially to build up and strengthen
tho Democracy Of this State, so that in the
great contest two years hence the thirty
i've votes of New York, may, beyond
peradyenturc, be cast into the Democratic
.ide Of the scale and cause it to prepon-
deiate in favor of the nominee of the Char
lesion Convention, upon whomsoever that
much coveted designation may fall. We
'hinll the Democrats Of this State should
feel pride in relation to the position Of
New York in the next Presidential CON
test, which should subdue all internal
iealousies, consolidate their efforts and
their strength, lead them into harmonious
and energetic cooperation, and prepare
them to assert in that great struggle the
power of this State in behalf Of the broad
national principles upon which their par
ty is founded
Such course is undoubtedly the true
one. when il does not bring with it a sur
render Of either the principles or organi-
mtion Of the party. But the first duty of
Ill Democrats is to preserve the principles
and organization of the party from being
infracted whenever it may suit the inter
estcd purposes Of the crafty and designing.
Success is only desirable when it can be
obtained on the broad basis of q national
organization. It is not worth surrender
ing one principle of the party to obtain
The real secret of that success which has
followed the Democratic party from its or
aanization to the present, is that it has es-
chewcd all mere temporary eXpedients, ali
looking 10 victory as the touchstone ot
right and Justice, and clung to its well de
fined principles with grasp which was
not loosened either by triumph or disaster
When prostratcd in 1910, in 1913, or in
1854. there was no hesitation in at once cl.
evatins the old banner, closing up the
ranks, and pressing on against the common
enemy Of the Constitution, the Union and
the party Those who had chosen their
position with the Opposition We're allowed
to remain. There was no tampering with
the national creed of the party tc
allow certain men to return. Those who
left tho Democracy on the Suh-lreasurN
issue were not won back by an abandon
meut of that doctrine Such Democrat.
as apostasized on account Of the passag,
ofUhe Tariff of 1916, did not pass into tn,
party camp over bridge constructed 0
party recantations Of that great iea
ture ofthc national organization, nor die
the Democracy cease its opposition to th'
biaouy and intolerance of Known othing
ism, because some Of its members wer,
weak or foolish or wicked enough to JOIN
that disreputable and dangerous faction
None of these things followed the defeat
to which we have alluded, and yet in tw,
short years from each the old part,
was again triumphant over all opposition
These are lessons not to be overlooked o
disreaarded atthe present time. The patl
of success in the future is that which /
lighted by the experience Of the past
"All minor considerations, all local con
troyersios, should be forgotten. This j
no time for small men or small issues.-
The duty of all Democrats is to cluster a
round the old party, to guard its princi
pies and preserve its national organization
atalllazards We are anxious for success
but it must come welded to the true prin
ciples and the true men Of the party, or
will DO q curse rather than blessing +
the Democracy and the Nation.
PcnaSyvonim.
pa0-The stupid indifference with whc