The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-09-20
Democracy and the People.

Whatever may be the result Of the
present conflict for the Presidency, it is
certain that the Democratic party will be
defeated. So far as the people are con-
cerned the party is dead already, and will
never more exist as an organization of anv
power in this country. Its intelligent
members realize this fact, and all their
battle now is to prevent the success of the
party that has longest and most success
fully withstood them. They desire to sell
the little remaining life in their organiza-
tion as dearly as possible, and with this
view they are forming schemes for union
of their own scattered forces with every
other faction in the land, and are also en-
deavoring to introduce the formation of
every possible number of parties, who Will
assist to lessen the vote of their greatest
foe, Lincoln. They we'll know that he, of
all candidates in the field, has a chance of
success before the people, and their only
object is to prevent an election by the free
choice of the voters of this Confederacy
Democratic politicians see ray of hope
IN the election Of President by Congress,
and they well know that such is their last
hope, and that they can never again get
into power by the votes Of the people of
these United States. Their only aim in
the approaching contest is to defeat the
wishes of the people, who, though so long
their deceived tools, have at length dis
covered their true character and turned
against them.
Democracy began by protesting the ut
most confidence in the people, and desire
to act always in accordance with their
wishes. This was the theme with the
Jeffersonian Democracy, which succeeded
In overthrowing the old Federal party.
which was more aristocratic. Democracy
IN those days was not what it is now: it
was called Republicanism, and was the off
spring of the French Revolution and the
liberal ideas of Mr. Jefferson. The ey-
presslons Of confidence in the capacity of
the people to manage all their affairs, and
desire to advance their claims, proved to
be the most effectual means Of elevatino 4
party to power. The Federalists were as
sincere patriots, but protesting less conf
dence IN the masses, they would of course
be less popular, and were overthrown, be- /
cause the vote Of ragamuffin or fanatic
would count as much as that of the most
intelligent citizen, while the former class
greatly Outnumbered the latter.
This fattery of the people was found to
be the most cffcctual means of obtaipino
their votes, and was therefore always the
distinctive feature of Democratic promul-
cations. Selfish demagogucs found that.
TO secure their election to coveted positions.
It was onl y necessary to pyofcsS the most
ardent desire to serve the dear people
While Mr. Jefferson and his confrercs
were undoubtedly sincere and just in their
advocacy ofpopular rights, their successors
have become more and more Indifferent to
Tie rea! good Of the public, while retain
ng the popular phraseology. BY these
Professions Democracy became very popu-
ar with She rabble, who were deceived bv
he sound, and had not Intelligence enough
0 discern the true character of the dema-
,oSucs who thus caioled them out Of their
otes. Sinccrcr patriots who had the real