Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-02-27
Party Names.

Seeming tribes are sOrest grievances sometimes.
This is exsmphfed in the dissatisfaction manifested
BY the Opposition that the Democracy should retain
their ancient name. They are unwilling to recog-
Mise the existence of Democratic party, or that
those whom they are opposing should be regarded
as such. They insist, therefore, upon designating
IS the shan Democracy, the latter dag Democracy
and the spOils Democracy.
1t is worth an ssking Why their unwiliingness
to recognise Democrats IS Democrats 1t is not
from any past respect for that party lOvs for its
principles. Il is not because they profess them>
selves 10 be the representative of Democratic
or measures. Upon the contrary they have always
mAligned both. The Democratic party aud princi-
pies Of to-dsy meet with violent opposition
than they did during the administrations of JecrN
son and Jackson. In the estimation of those who
opposed it, it always was the worst Of political
carnations. There never was a time when large
portion of the Federal party would not have been
willing to have resisted Democratic rule by open
force, fthey could only have done so successfully
1t is apparent, therefore, that their respect for
what they designate the "Modern Democracy"
Is equally great as it ever was for the Democracy
Of this country at any previous time Their regard
for Mr. Buchanan is equally as fsvorabll IS it was
for Mr.. Jefferson and, in Tennessee, their violence
towards Andrew johnson is no greater than it was
towards Andrew Jackson, amounting ia both instan>
oes to unmaDly personal hate.
But Notwithstanding all this, they have an object
in wishing the Democracy Of the present day to be
regarded as a diffsreut party from the Democracy
Of former times. They haze bObsd their Own tails,
L., - Al. 81. ~.
body else shall be bObed. The frequent change of
their own name and general inconsistencies of char
acter, would be partially relieved, they think if by
any means they could force change Of name or
principles upon their adverssries.
They indulge the farther hope Of deluding some
nsmby -pambys, who were Democrats in former
times into the belief that the party of that day no
longer exists und that the present Democratic par
ty should be put down.
We will be more liberal to our oppOnents-we will
e0ncede that the Federal party is still the Federal
party, notwithstanding the many aliases under
which it has passed. True, while sdhering to the
principles of Federalism and desiring bring the
government under their sway, they have lost all the
manliness aad selfrespect which they onOe had by
Disgusting heir real principles and denying their
origin preferring the questionable character Of hav
ing no political ancestry. Instead of having OBJ
tanned advantages by such sbOrtsighted conduct
they have added contempt to unpOpularity.
Tho Democratic party has pursued different
course. Il has hesitated to avow its princi-
pies and has stesdfasy adhered its time honored
and appropriate name They have been its pride
and boast. Neither the OblOquy of its enemies nor
the treschery Of friends has made it ashamed of
either 1t has been reprosched as the " unwash-
ed Democracy" the "cOpeTas breaches Democra>
cy," the " bare footed Democracy" and by various
other dstasteful terms, but they but arguments
in our behalf. While exhibiting the arrogant pre7
tensions and federal tendencies Of cur opponents,
they have served to designate to the farmer and
mechanic, and honest patriots of evcvry calling the
political organization TO which they naturally be-
lOnged, and upon whose support their rights and
interests must depend.
But our opponents have learned nothing by exN
perisnce. They started out with the idea that the
great masses of The American people were like the
masses of Europe, stupid and ignorant, TO be vince
died and missd by every political jsckanspe, and
they have been able to get rid Of the delusOD
They have never realized that every American cit
izsn, however deficient in general education, was
educated from the cradle, by every-dsys experience
and observation in the elementary principles of
government and of his own rights and interests as
free citizen They have never realized that there
il a strong vein of common sense, acquired not in
schools bat from the great Of all light and
knowledge, running through the minds of the great
majority of the people, that enables them almost in
tuitivsy to understand the right from the wrong, |
the good from the bad. True, imPostures sometimes
succeed, but far Oflsner fail and the success they
have Is transient and valueless. The old trueism
has always held good and will prove as lasting as
time, that honesty is the best policy" and upon
this the Democratic party stand with q faith that
nothing can destroy, looking far into the future