Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-30
The Mission of the Democratic Party


The Mission of the Democratic Party.
The New York Argus, in an article upon this
topic, remarks that the truth is becoming every
day more painfully evident, that upon the theory
and declared policy of the advanced wing of the
Republican party, the restoration of the UEion is
an impossibility. To abolitionze the war is to
make its leading purpose the destruction Of our
political fabric. and the abrogation of the Con-
ststution itself. To such policy, however pow
erfully and Unexpectedly urged by the radical
men who pretend to the largest measure of 10y
atty, but who really seek to overturn rather than
re-estahlish the Government, the Dem Jcfatic
party will oppose its giant strength, and we be-
ieve the President will perceive that in this atti-
tude of the great political body opposed to radi
caIism, pledged to constitutional safeguards ard
committed in the strongest manner to the main
tenance of public law and order, is to be found
the only certain element of fety and the only
hope of a restoration of the Union.
This, them is the mission of the Democracy:
"to maintain the Constitution and to restore the
Union:" not by factious opposition to the Ad
ministratiou; not by any surrender of its princi-
piles or its organization; but by planting itself
firmly upon the impresnable rock of principle, as
the great Union party, inviting TO its standard all
conservative Constitution loving men, and declar
ing it, purposes be the establishment of the
Union upon its original basis. If this involves
the utmost efforts Of the Government, and the
greatest sacrifices of the people to prosecute the
war. let the efforts be put FORTH and the sacrifices
be made. Let it not be waged in a spirit of vim
dictiveness and Of vengeance against the South,
bat rather with the idea that while as a military
necessity, put forth oil our mighty energies to
overcome the rebellion, we are prepared and de
termined to restore to them every right, and Sc
cure to them every privilege conferred by the
Constitution.
With such duty before it--such RESPONSE
bility imposed upon it, shall the Democratic party
fail to meet the emergency manfully, boldly, as
becomes its Evolutionary and uniform action on
great public questions? Shall it lay down its
honor and its original strength at period when
its antagonists have failed 70 conduct the Gov
eminent safely through its perish Never, no,
never, until the country is saved. the Govern
ment restored to its original condition and the
Egis of the Constitution established with all its
protecting influences over the phole people hith-
erto composing the United States.
We do not claim this work for Democrats
alone. for there are patriotic men heretofore op-
posed TO the Democratic party, who have the dis
position and the right TO share in so glorious an
achievement But the Democratic party is the
only organization which can lead in the move
ment Others viii co operate and aid in its pros
ccution. but il belongs to the Democracy of the
country to unfurl the standard Of restoration and
while sustaining the Government, see that the
great purpose sought, is kept steadily and promi-
nently before the public mind This, and this
alone. will save rs from final separation.