Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-11-03
How are the mighty Fallen.

The time was--and we do not have to
look far down the past to find it-when
the Democratic party Of this conntry held
a position Of proud and invincible power.
1t was strong in the justice and purity Of
its principes-in its devotion to thenl-in
its self-reSpect and in the respect of the
world. LIS bearing was digni6ed and wore
the hateur of conscious strength. 1t held
the reins Of government with firm and
unyeldiDg grasp, and gloried in its power
| to retain them. This was when Thomas
Jefferson was the great A postle Of Democ.
racy, and when his counsellngs were at
tended with respect and heed. The coun-
try then fourshed in prosperity, and enjoy
ed the blessings Of domestic peace. When
the rights Of capital and of labor were
alike respected, and the welfare of all class.
es regarded with jealous aud protective
eye.
But that time has passed. The Demo
cratic party has gone down step by step
from its proud eminence, until it has reach.
ed the bottom of the hill, where it lies in
weak, disordered and disgraced condition
1t has been brought to its present estate
through series of departures from the
principles of its auceit faith, and a contin-
ued disregard for the interests of commerce,
trade and manufactures Among its mis-
takes, and those which have materially
disturbed public confidence and respect
and contributed to reduce its power aud Sc
cure its ultimate overthrow, are-the ma.
licious assault made by Gen. Jackson upon
the currency aud monetary interests of the
country, and the consequent calamities, that
befel the trade and commerce on that ac-
count-the war made upon our struggling
manufacturing interests in New England
and the middle States-the utter and con-
temptous disregard manifested towards the
interests of our inland commeFce-and last
y, after heaping wrong upon wrong in
these various departments Of life's pursuits
and interests, it consummated its own final
ruin by turning its back upon the rights
and interests of freedom, overlapping and dis
honoring the compacts formed between the
conflicting elements Of freedom and slavery,
and finally, by breaking down the barriers
that had been placed between them for the
mutual benefit of both, and the better pro
lection of the peace and prosperity of the
common country. For thirty years the
Democratic party has been aSSiduously at
work to obliterate sits own landmarks
violate its time-honored principles-insult
the rights of labor and violate the interests
of the toler-crush commerce and cripple
trade, and to sustain the interests of slavery
at the expense of the rights of freedom, IN
til it has succeeded in building up aud estab-
fishing its opponents, aud in rendering it.
self a poor weak, despsed thing, which has
neither principles nor power for good or
evil gad. p -
IT now acknowledges its own fallen and
helpless condition, every day Of its miserable
existence. 1t no longer stands mp in the
majesty of its former srength, but sings
plaintive songs of its own weakness, and
mournflly beseeehes help from any good
Samaritan that may chance to fail in its
way. 1t says to the Know Nothings-
to the old line Whigs-to the Gerrit Smith
Abolitionists, and to the aliented factions
of its own organization, come aud help, OF
We sink It however calls in vain-there is
no help equal to its salvation against the
Indignant sense Of an insulted aud injured
people 1t has made its own bed, anC
must rest where it has fallen
The N. Y, Epshihg Post, referring to thc
present position Of the Democratic party
says-"as regards the party now ironically
styled demtcratic it would seem that the
inlposture practised by its name cannotany
longer conceal the character of its princip
lse and measures. Democracy means the
sovereignty of the people; the democratic
party sustains the domination of caste.
Democracy breaches equal rights the dem
ocratic party uphods particular wrongs
Democracy goes for the principle that labor
should own capital the democratic party
that capital should own labor Democracy
| stimulates those aebler passions which are
the natural allies Of truth aud freedom /; the
l democratic party appeals 70 the basser ,pas-
sions, wHici side with falsshcod and op
preston"