The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-03-06
Communications.
Mr.. Pike on "Democracy"-The Re-
construction of the Union, &c.

For the News.
Mr.. Pike on "Democracy"-The Re-
construction of the Union, &c.
Mr.. Pike, of the Gazette, objects to
what he is pleased to term "mnsked bat
teries," in the shape of anonymous COM
municatio tions-"tuke any other shape but
thatI" Now, when it is considered that
such communications are made through
a responsible newspaper channel, and
that much of the newspaper literature
of the day, together with much of that
of the Magazine and the Review, sees
the light with only the voucher of the
publisher, or the responsible editor, the
objection comes too late, and therefore
appears simply captious.
1t is true, this method Of communi-
eating with the popular mind take
away the opportunity or occasion of re.
verting to the argumen,un, dd hominen,,
by which partisan editors are enabled
to divert attention from the reasoning
employed and the arguments used,
to some popularity, fault, or personal
quality of the individual, and thus to
escape tho necessity Of meeting argu.
mont with argument and confronting
facts with facts, and are compelled to
rely more upon strength Of logic tha n
fippaucy of epithet or expertncss in
the use of the vocabulary Of the Fish
Market or the Prize Ring. How a wri.
ter, whose communications arc given to
the public anonymously, can be accused
Of seeking newspaper notoriety," is
not apparent to common minis. | shall
continue my annOtations upon political
topics, trusting to as truthful prcsenta-
ton of facts, and as careful logical de-
duction of inferences thorefrom as | am
capable Of, to procure me eft audience
though few"
Mr.. Pike, in his "Salutatory," says he
is "a Democrat Of the strictcst sect and
he will adhere strictly to the princi pies
and usagcs of that party" Having
seen no very modern schedule or au-
thoritative exposition Of those princi
plies, we are at loss to know exactly
what meaning to attach to tho phrase
"Dcmocrat of the strictest se,t." What
are the principles and usages" to which
he promises rigidly to ADHERED Accord
ing to Webster, "a Democrat is one
who adheres to a Government by tho
people, or favors the extension of thc
right Of suffrage to all classes of men.
Is he Democrat in this sense? uav,
the "principles and usages" of the party
with which he has been associated been
in accordance with this authoritative
definition?
Now, as Mr.. p. claims that the Dem
ocratic partyis the only legitimate UniO'
party that has ever existed, with power
to save the Union from dissolution, ant
that if the Union shall ever be recon
structed, or a Democratic governmen
be perpetuated in this land, it will b,
through the efforts and excrtions of thr
great Democratic party, it is importan
that we should have an authoritative
Exposition of Democratic principles anC
usagcs, as adopted to the new order o
things. We want to know what "Dcm
oeratic principles" mean, when relieved
and delivered from the disturbing anC
distorting influences Of the oligarchy o
the South, who had for SO long a tim
succeeded in substituting COttOn- Ocyac
for true Democracy. Is the "great Dem
ocratic party of the land" to be entirel
relieved from the Incubus which has ST
long weighed down and perverted it
energies?
Now these are questions of vital i'm
portance, upon the proper solution @
, which, in accordance with principles @
right and eternal justice, depends th
future veal of our cOuutry. If "th
great Democratic party" expects to re
gain and perpetuate its power sin thi
land of boasted liberty and gospel light,
its principles must be conformod to tn
true Democratic idea:-for the future
must cast aside all shams aud counter
felt presentments-it must clear itsel
, of the bad odor it has contracted by lon
, association with and servility to cldl
inierest, whose principles and manner
wore a libel upon true Democracy.
The editor Of tho Gazette says "h
will contend for the preservation of tina
form of government transmitted to u
by our illustrious sires, aud for tn
: Constitutional great work which
the foundation upon which the Unio
Q OF the States must rest, if it exist 1
I all;' and yet when rebellion raised il
horid head for the avowed purpose {
destroying that Union, he and otht
s Democrats "of the strictest sect" erie
j out against "cocrcion," denounced an