Des Arc citizen., 1859-04-01
DIES ARC WEEKLY GgTgZBU.

condition ofthe Democratic party has been produced by ;he too frequent sacrifice oi principle to policy and expediency for the purpose of obtaining a temporary partizan triumph. The result of this policy is now seen in the deplorable Reorganization oI the party. We have lost sight of principle and looked only to success and it has brought its train of evils. We have lost sight of the ancient land. marks of the par. ty in the insatiate thirst after mere part. gan triumph. We have triumphed, it is true, but frequently it has been at the ex- pense of principle, and utterly unworthy of public confidence is thai party that Is destitute of the vital spark, the promethean fire of principle. We have looked almost exclusively to numbers and we have ob. tained tbem; but with them their necessary evil. The increase of numbers has only witnessed a proportionable decadence of virtue and purity of principle. The long continued ascendency of the party-its unquestioned numerical strength-its ire. quent Reflections from principle to suit the changing hues of public opinion, has at. tracted to our ranks vast number of mer- cenaries-mere camp-folowers fighting for pay-attached to us by no "coheson" of principle but merely by the power of public plunder" Now the salvation of the party, and with it of the country, re- qures rigid adherence to the ancient party organization, a fixed and obstinate adherence to the ancient creed of the par ty, such an elevation of the standard of party excellence that intruders will not creep into our ranks attracted thither by the glare of official position. In every in- stance the political orthodoxy of the indi- vidual and not the "poltical status oi his constituents" must determine the ques. tion of his admission into our councils. In a word the party must be re.organized up- on the old basis of States Rights" free trade, no internal improvements by the general government, no privileged corpo. rations, territorial expansion, and the principles of the Dred Scott decision in the adjustment of all territorial questions. An adherence to each and all of these must be the test of political orthodoxy, and a departure from either or all of them must be visited with forfeiture of the conf- dence of the party. The party may be then less powerful in point of numbers and capacity to bestow office, but as a conse- quence will be infinitely purer and more efficient for good
 So far as Col. HINDMAN's efforts look to such reorganization of the party we "dance to his music" and wish hlm God speed. Whoever goes before the Delnoc- racy with such an issue, with them al least, must triumph. The times demand party reform.
 -The opposition are rapidly prepar- ing for the contest of 1860. We think that the indications are in favor of fusion oflhe Black Republicans and Americans upon the single and isolated idea of oppo. siton to the Democracy, under a Southern leader. As indicative of this we make the following extracts from the N. Y. 1ri- bune:
 The candidates prominent before the Oppo- stion, are Senator Cameron, Senator Seward, William L. Dayton, Senator Bell, Senator Crittenden, Governor Banks, A. Lincoln, J. c. Fremont.
 After discussing the claims of the vari- ons gentlemen, mentioned in connection with the nomination, the writer continues:
 The fact is the Opposition are now casting their eyes towards Southern deiverer; some chief who will rescue thom from oppression Gas they term Democratic rnle.) One section (American) looks to Crttenden, the other Republican, looks to Bell, of Tennessee. The contest will be an arduous one, and not devoid of bitterness.
 In support of these views the writer details conversation between several prominent Republicans, who state
 That notwithstanding they were personally n favor of Seward, yet that it would be more 'olitic to nominate Southerner, so that it night not be said that there was sectional struggle for power. It was further argued hat Bell, of Tennessee, was the most availa- ,le candidate for them.
 SENATOR BRowN's SPEEcH.- The peech of Senator Brown of Mississippi lefnre tha Dlmncracu at Ta mmanu Hall 1