Litchfield enquirer., 1860-07-19
Communications.
DEMOCRACY-WHAT IS IT?

DEMOCRACY-WHA HAT lS II
 For many years we have heard much about democracy and the democratic party, and our ears are daily assailed with the prestige of its mast career It has constantly, and for many years falsely and arrogantly assumed, that all de- mocracy resided in it's organization, and that he who would not subscribe to it's dogmas, who would not blindy and passively follow all it's die tation, has been regarded as hardly fit, to claim a relationship to the human family.
 I do not propose in this article to look at de- mocracy in it's essence, but to look at the party calling itself democratic, as it now presents it. self, distracted, torn asunder, sectional, rancor- GUS. ....
 From it's present attitude, it is unworthy of support. It is destitute of any ennobling prin- ciples. If it possesses principles at all, they are so antagonistic that the party cannot harmonize upon them. They are of that character which should create distrust, instead of inspiring con6- dence. They possess no inherent vitalizing power. They are principles more superficial than calculated to advance the public good. They are used for the purpose of catching votes, instead of being acted upon as the elements oi national life. The democratic party are not gov erned by, and do not act upon principle Ill their efforts for the public good, only so far as It may be necessary to subserve the ends and purposes of the party and assist them to retain their hold upon the patronage and influence of the gov ernment They are governed almost entirely from motives of policy, and if they have harmon ized to certain extent in the past, it has been because policy dictated such harmony, and not because of principle, or because the principles of the party possessed any inherent virtue. If this had not been so, the present rupture would have overtaken the party long ago. Success of the party has been, and is the first great law of it's existence. Everything has been shaped to this end. Principle has had but little to do with it. Everything has been the result of policy.
 To this end platforms have been adopted platforms, false and spacious, platforms having double construction, designodly and Intentionally so constructed, looking to, and having no other purpose but success, through deception. This was palpably so in the democratic platform of 1856. It was doublc-faced concern, made so Intentionally. It was designed to have one con- struction at the North, and different one at the South. But success then, was of more conse- quence, than rupture of the party
 The republicans charged home upon the de- II. H. They denied it, of course. But four years later the charge is found to be true. The democratic party furnished the evidence. In 1860 democracy unmasks itself, but whether upon principle or not I shall not suggest. True, Douglas and his friends try hard to perpetuate the doube-faced platform. They must have that or nothing. One "old pub lie functionary' had been elected upon it, and why not Douglas? What though it were false, and bore double construction? If the party could triumph, the purpose would be accomplish ed. No matter if the people were deceived. They had been once.
 Then again, there was speciousness which was captivating to the ear in the cry of "Popu- lar Sovereignty" which fell upon the senses like the music of (fallen) angels. It was supposed to be the pet measure of the democracy. Occa- sionally, growl of dissent was heard, but it was immediately silenced. Douglas had been it's spe- cial champion, a: now he wanted to ride into the presidential chair upon it's soft and soothing strains. But the cry of Popular Sovereignty" has lost it's charm to one-half of the democracy. They have discovered that it putss in jeopardy their peculiar institution" and shall they loose the right and power of spreading the blessings flowing from their peculiar institution" because Stephen A. Douglas wishes to ride into the presi dency upon its deceptive allurcments? Now party success and principle are all thrown aside to make way to the perpetuity of this peculiar institution"
 This is but another phase of democracy. It is capable of accommodating itself to any state of circumstances, never being prevented upon principle from so doing-policy merely dictating its action. Douglas and his friends know that the platform of 1856 was false-double. They know that the Supreme Court of the United States has so decided Why then keep up the delusion? What is to be gained by so doing ? Does he expect to win tho present political contest? Some may be deceived, but the ma jority NEVER!
 Look again. Look at the attempt being made to harmonize the political elements. Does prin- cple dictate it? By no means. Policy, hope of success love of office, government patronage and influence, arc the foundations of the at tempt. They would form coalitions, no matter with whom, or with what party, provided such coalitions promised success. True, they always do it under the garb of democracy. Surely, de- mocracy covers multitude of sins.
 HAMILTON.
 Litchfeld, July l3, 1860.
 [We shall be happy to hear from any of our Democratic friends in reply to Hamilton's" Structures, and will give them at any time, the full benefit of this column for any communica- tions upon political subjects they may be pleas cd to make. Our present political times are times of political blaclmess and aarkness, and we all want more light ED. ENQ.
 PUBLIC ACTS.