The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-09-07
The National Democracy,

Inc National Democracy.
The mission Of the Democratic party is
not confined to the present.aaA President
and a Congress are not the end of its.
efforts, but only accessories to the accom-
plishment Of its purposes. Its principles
are never framed to meet merely transient
or local exigencies but are adapted to the
national ends and future developments Of
The country's history. The party Of to-
day, guided by the far-seeing intellect Of
its progressive minds, establishesa plat
form for to-morrow's action, and foreshad-
ows the inevitable policy of,a generation
yet to come. It anticipates public opin.
ion, by virtue of its practical foresight in
craftsmanship and its. acknowledgment
ofthe naturallaws, which apply to nations
as well as to indiyiduals. Itaccepts the les
sous of the past, but only as lights and
guidesf or the future. It blind ysylows no
political theory aors system because Of it's,
plausibility or abstract excellence. To it
has been committed thsprogressiye de.
velopement ofthe American Republic, as
a free, enlightened commercial nation,
whose policy and institutions will inevi-
tably shape and mould, to a greater or less
extent, the future destinies Of the world.
Such party as this must ever be the
National ruling force ofthe country. Lib
eral in its sentiments, rigidly just in its
action, and National in its.policy, yet re-
cognizingyand enforcing to the last letter,
as Of paramount Importance, the rights of
every citizen and Of every primary COM
munity within constitutional landmarks,
| it marches magnifcently on to the accom-
plishment Of it's great work. Though
sometimes defeated by the clamor Of its
adversaries sometimes castout of power
by whirlwind Of popular agitation-it
has never teen and never can be pros
trated, until its mission is fully accom-
plished. Like the leverses Of a wise man,
which become lessons of profit for the fu-
ture, the defeats of the Democratic party
have only increased its numbers and
u. y II. = Z.
strengthened its trustsin the great funda-
mental truths which underlie its policy.
By conflict of local interests and princi-
pies the party may sometimes misjudge
itself-it may err in it's transient applica-
ton Of principles; but the countrys
history shows that these Emergencies
are like the hills and valleys Of our
planet, mere excresencies which do not
interfere with the business Of its proper.
tions, or the perfectness Of its system
Such party need have no fears Of de-
feat. As it is not based upon Temporal
ry policy or merely popular expedients, it
may go into political retirement with its
armor on, and in a full conviction that the
country will demand its services at the
fitting time. The sober second thought Of
the people has ever repudiated the brief
experiments Of the Opposition in the ma
tiona! government And it will continue
to repudiate them while sectional views
and local prejudices actuate and control
their political policy.
In such party as the Democratic mere
personal fortunes and private aims sink
into insignifcance. While claiming the
right to use any Of its true followers for
the country's good, it recognizes no leader
whose highest ambition is personal ag-
grandizement, and who would make the
great national political organization a
stepping-stone for his own advancement,
without regard to the usages or integrity
Of the party. It is the virtue Of the De-
mocratic party that its fortunes are not
committed to such men and that it is
not dependent upon political traders or
ambitious aspirants for its continued sue.
cess. Pennsylvania.
/ n ~ 3 & ~ = rv,y