New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-11

climes. But the negro propagandisb OF America
bsve alone been found equal to the earcuSefy OF
claiming that those who ayowed them were ht 70
be called Democrats; while it is passing strange
that anybody but Laplanders and lunatcs should
be sufficiently ignorant and creduous to admit inc
validity of this claim. !.
In the times of Jefferson, and even at the advent
of Jackson, Democracy gloried in being radical IN
it's doctrines, reformatory in its measures pro-
pressiye in its tendencies the offspring Of IDEAS the
pupil of principles, opt TO learn, bold to act, ana
esger to follow where truth and duty led the way.
But the Democracy of Calhoun and Buchanan,
living only upon the traditions Of the past, and with
no passport to popular favor except its name con-
POUNDS radicalsm with revolution, resists all liberal
reforms as dangerous innovations, and urges its
claim to public confidence on the ground that it Is
conservative from conviction, and will oppose all
nrogress in the direction of Freedom and Equal
Rights.
Perhaps the strongest hold which the party &C
auired upon the common mind OF the country,
since the war of 1925, was in its famous contest
with the United States Bank. IL overthrow that
nowerful institution under the rallying shout OF
can't. Monopoly" and by exciting popular preju'
dice sgsjLst Associated Wealth. Indeed, these
were always favore battle-cries Of the Democracy.
But now the party which twenty-five years ago re-
newed its lease of power by th, cry is pledged to
extend over the continent, and perpetuate through
all time, monopoly, an olgarcby Of wealth,
combination Of capitalists, whose power SKILL re-
sources, and tenacty Of purpose, infinitely exceed
those welded by "Biddle and the Bank"
But We will not multiply salient points in tho
radical differences between the legitimate Democ'
racy of the past and the bastard bantling OF our
time The latter is an apostate from its ancient
faith, bypocrite in its present pretenses' the sen
of selfish sectionalism the pimp of an odious oil
garchy, The mere pack-mule Of the Slavery Propa-
gandists. No higher proof need be given OF Its
apostacy and hypocrisy than that an avowal OF hos
tility 10 Executive and Judicial usurpstion, and
belief in the equality of man, in the inalienabiiy
of human rights, in the superiority Of persons to
property, and of labor to capital, and that Liberty
and not Slavery is the corner stone Of the Repubc
than that the advocacy of radical doctines and re-
formato,y measures, and of enlightened progress
against heartess conservatism; than that prefer
ence Of fundamental principles to sounding names,
and living doctrines to antquated traditions neces-
sariy and beyond all controversy places man out
side of the Democratic party
In fact, the Republican party has taken the place
once occupied By the Democratic party, while mod
EN- Democracy has fallen far behind ancient FEEDER
asm. The doctrines of Jefferson, the teachings OF
his example, the prestige of bis name. are far
oftener cited and applauded in Republican than IN
Democratic assemblies. Nay, he and his principles
are beginning to he secuted from the latter, while
they are finding their home in the former. RAD.
cal Democrats of the school of TOmpkins, Wright,
Rantoul, and Benton, flock to the flag Of the Re-
publican party. The vacancies thus made are par
tally and feebly filed by Conservatives" whose
timidity and sloth made them laggards in the Wing
party. Elective affinity lures the live Democrat to
the Republican standard; it leaves the lettering
Old Line Wing to fall into the ranks of the efete
Democracy. Not less significant is the course Of
European immigration on its arrival here. The
sincere advocates of equal rights join the Repubh'
cans. Services in Church and State 90 with the
action which "has stolen the livery of the Court
&c uoeven IN sorva the devil in"
The downward road by which the Democratic
party reached its present position is easily traced.
Long anterior TO the Administration of Jackson it
was subject to the domination Of leaders dwelling
chiefly South of the Potomac. But it was not then
Pro-Slavery. After Jackson retired from ONCE,
Calhoun rose to power resolved to rule or ruin.
His controlling idea was the inviOlability, the
universslty the supremacy of Slavery. Though
he had no more real democracy in his nature than
Lucifer, yet by force of intellect and will he ruled
the Southern wing of the party, which, by vir.
tue of precedent long acquiesced in, gave law
to the entire organization. From the hour when
bis domination was established Democratic ideas
found no congenial home in the Democratic party.
He gradually converted it into mere Slavery.
prepagatipg faction. Van Buren,, sly and plant,
succumbed to its dictation, bought his peace, was
used by it, and was spurned when it had done with
him. Wright and Benton, each in bis turn, refused
when commanded to bow the knee, and each was
slain in the house of bis friends. Other chiefs have
fallen fighting for their ancient faith, or have sought
refuge in more agreeable associations. And this
exodus of sound principles and sincere men has
been going Cd until the party has become mere
cabal of Northern place hunters and Southern
negro drivers.