The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-02-03
Maasures. NOT Men.

The enemies of the demecratic 5arty
are everywhere predicting It's disruption,
and rejoicing insthc hope that it is soon to
be brokea up aud destroyed, Whilst We
are in DO way surprised that such a hope
should Fill them With joy, and can readily
understand the grounds upon which their
predietions are based, we do not entertain
the slightest fears of their ever being re-
al.zed.
Il is true that prominent members Of
the democratic party have seen propersto
differ with the administration upon its
Kansas and CeBtrataAmerican policy but
it BY no means follows that in SO doing
they Intend to cut themselves loose f ON
the democratic party; ahd Indeed, if
such be their. intention, 1t would not
necessarily, or even probably, end in the
disruption Of that party. The very idea
upon which the democratic organization
il based, and on which It has invariably
acted, viii save it from such q catastrophe
With measures, and not men, as the foun.
dation wall upon which it Is built, itneces-
sarily follows that it can never be de.
stroyed so long as it adheres to this as the
fundamental doctrine of its existence-
Like all other parties it has its great
lghts-men to whom it is deeply artach.
edyand whose lead il delights TO follow.
But this attachment sprfngsless from any
partiality efthe party towards its leaders
than from admiration of commanding
abilities, coupled with a long and consis
tent devotion to the great doetrines upon
which it is founded and whenever, there,
fore, we fnd one OF these, no matter how
great his personal popularity, DESERVING
the leading measures of the democratic
party we will surely see that party a.
promptly deserving him. Men change
but principles live foreyer;'s aud isnmu.
tably fixed as il is upon the unchangiuG
rock of principle, neither the democrati,
party, nor any respectable portion of 1t
can even be made to follow permanently
those who, misleda by error o. influenced
by the promptings of ambition, MAJ
choose TO depart from the great politica
chart laid down for is government. w,
are not without many examples in sup
port of what We have said. The meres'
<fgro IN the history of the democratic par
ty Is familiar with the fact that attempts
have again been made to destroy its or
eapization, By men who bad enjoyed it
fuHcstcpnfdsuce aud occupied itsshighes
places Of honor and trust. All know th,
fate OF those who destroyed their part,
aud made war upon the administrations
General Jackson. Whilst he, for adler
ing firmly and uDfinchmgly to its grea
principles, was applauded aud Sustained
by the people, they, as a consequence o
deserving them, were driven into politia
exile, aud stripped of their power and in
fusnce. And few there are who do no
remember the fate of one who, after fay
ing spent the best years Of his life in tn
ranks Of the democracy, and worn TIL
highest honors in its gift, ingloriousl.
buried himself IN q bold attempt to bur.
his old party. We might giye other III
staBces of a like character, but these ar
sufficient tor our purpose, and enough t.
show how vain is the idea that any man
or set Of men, no matter how command
ing their talleuts, or how high their po
%sitiens, can, by deserving the principles 0
the democratic party, destroy its organi
cation, or materially damage its prospsc
of continued and ultimate success. Sucl
attempts have often been made, and a
often failed; and such predictions as gu
opponents. are now putting forth have al
ways ended, as these will certainly end
in idle prophecies and u~nmeaning boasts
Washington Union.