Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-03-09
The Right Spirit.

We have, during the last TWO Gays, COnFerseu
with Democrats from almost every Township in
the county concerning the future prospects of
the party :'that knows no North, no South,
under the Constitution" They all deplored
the unfortunate disscnsions which have dis
tracted and disorganizcd the ranks Of the party
in every section of the Union recently, and were
unanimous in expressing the hope that, in this
county at least the war of factions would inme
diately cease, aud Democrats begin to regard
each other once more as brethren, not enemies.
This is certainly the right spirit. Harmony is
now not only absolutely necessary for the sue
of the Democratic party, but also for its pres
ervation as political organization. A number of
them alluded to the causes which, in their opin-
ion, produced the dissensions in the ranks of the
party in this county A few Of the reasons as
signed, in our humble opinion, contain more
truth than poetry, and we will therefore briefly
sllude to them now.
Measures, not men," has always been the
motto Of the Democratic party. 1t is not its
mission to elevate demagogues TO office. The
duty assigned it is that of preserving our free
institutions un;mpaired, and the great body of
its members belong to it only because they love
hope of the Union. But unfortunately there is
class OF men in this country who love the spoils
of Office and care nothing about principles. They
always profess to belong to the party which they
think is strongest. Cambria county of course
contains its share-perhaps more than its share
of these immaculate patriots, and quite num-
Der of them are extremely anxious to be regarded
by the crest cf mankind'' as the leaders of the
Democratic party. They are not content to oc-
Cupy position in the ranks. Their ambition
stops not there. They strut like iackdaw, III
front of the ranks, and order the party to 'carry
arms, march and countermarch" with more in
science than L. S. officer drilling company
of raw recruits. They are the men who are
called leaders they the men who get togeth
er some six or eight months before the meeting
Of Democratic County Convention, and, in strict
conformity with the example Of three immortal
demagogucs, Augustus, Antony and Lepidius
divide the offices in manner to suit themselves
Love OF money and narrowness of mind are the
characteristics of all Of them, and the demagogut
peeps out in all they say Or do.
They are remarkably fond of catching the Goa
tails Of respectable Democrats for the purpose o
Ei7ing themselves a little political reputation b,
appearing in respectable company, and if reli
able Democrat is elevated to office they claim al
the credit of his election. 1t was not his owl
merits but Meir influence that elected him The
are the individuals generally called on by candi
dates Few days before the delegate elections.
is not necessary to talk to the Crank and file
If Mr.. A. in certain township, is right, the
there is no use in consulting with B., c. and L
A, is a man of influeuce-he always attends del
egate elections and &is township may be Sc
down as good for two delegates. This is certainl
"great evil under the sun,' and we think t
this "evil'' can lie traced the dissensions
this ranks of the Democracy on this county
And how is this ''evil'' to be rem edied
answer, by the frank and file" thinking and a
ting for themselves. They must attend tie del
gate elections. They must not allow a few j
dividuals to assemble together in some schc'
house in some evidences or boundless contiguit
of waste" and appoint delegates to suit then
selves. The time for kicking is before the nom
nations are made, and not afterwards Tt
Democracy should attend the delegate election
and see that Democrats elected who wi
fearlessly discharge their duty, and secure tt
bed by interest and unbought by gain.
But it is not only when the delegates ele
ted that demagogues show how smart they al
On the day of the meeting of the County Conve
ton you Will never fail in meeting then at sire
corners. They mus. talk to the delegates befo
the Convention meets, and give them their j
structions. Is this not an open violation of t
rights Of the freemen who selected them as the
delegates, because they thought they would fea
lessy discharge their duties, regardless of t
dietation of self-constituted party leaders
We have not time at present to pursue q
subject further. We will resume it next wee
But we shfnk from what we have already So
that the following conclusions can be drawn
the sooner demagogues dissolve their connect
with the Democratic party the better the me-
ters Of the party should bs careful in attendi