Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-11-05
The Past and Present.

The Democratic party Is charged 10y the
Abolition press with hostility to tie Admin
istration, and that hostility is denominated
treason" Tha: the Democratic party Is
now hostile to the Administration is. to some
extent, true; that it contemplatos treason TO
the Government, or any measure of public
policy adverse to the interests or deroSatory
T. the honor OF the country, Is no. true.
Let us explain.
There was period in the early career Of
this Administration when the North was a
unit in its support, when no party demon
stration was made against it, or factlous op
position raised to paralyze its arm, or with
hold from it the men and money it demand
cd to put down rebellion. The universal
sentiment Of The loyal States was with it.
on It's then declared policy to wage the war
for the sole purpose of maintaining the au-
thority Of the Constitution and restoring the
Union. It's course was then clear and un-
impetled by single obstacle; it was cheered
In the performance Of its duties by the united
voice of generous people, who. Tor the
time, forgot all party differences, and united
in sincere and fervent prayer for its full
and speedy success. Mistaking this gene
rous sentiment-which originated il deep
devotion to the Union and an a ;onizing
anxiety for its restoration before Il bitter
ness of war should destroy all hoI e-fur 4
blind confidence in the Executive a d a tame
submission to his views, or such views of
others as he chose to adopt and act upon,
the Administration soon discovered signs of
divergence from the popular policy adopted
by it in the earlier stage Of its career, and
began to exhibit an unmiStakable disposi-
tion 70 run into radicalism. Still, Trembling
but hopeful. the loyal people of the North
clung to it, trusting 70 the happy Influence
OF the sober second thought" which they
doubted not would come il. good time, to
retrieve the errors of the moment and brigh-
ten the pathway to the future. Alas, vain
hope! Whatever the private sentiments Of
tie President may have been, it was evi-
dent enough, from the first moment that the
then assembled Congress entered upon its
radical career, that the Administration
would be whirlcd into the maelstrom of Abo-
Etionism, and that, thenceforth, the reliance
of the people must be alone upon Heaven
and themselves. At the very bc ginning Of
this crisis, Mr.. Lincoln's incompetency for
the high position he occupied became ap-
parent He trcmbled at the first breath of
the storm, and as day after day passed by.
and the hurricane gathered strength. his
weakness and want of self-reliance became
more and more apparent. The faint oppo
sition he at first attempted to make. dimin,
ishei with each waning hour, until,at length.
the good angel of the Constitution. which had
hitherto held him up, relaxed his hold. and
he fell prone into the arms Of the Briarean
monster, a victim 10 cowardice and cre6iuIitv
lost forever to his country and to honorable
fame. From the moment Of his fall, drunk
with the spirit of unhOly AbOlitionisrn,
which had been poured into him by the
priests of the idol, ho has trampled the Con-
stitution under his feet and distinguished his
Administration by repeated acts which clear
" define the usurper and the tyraut.
When it became evident that by sustain
ing the PrCsident-and only thcu-tl,cy
were contributing to the overthrow OF the
Constitution and the disruption forever of
the Union, the Democratic party boldly
took its staLd on the side OF the country
against the revolutionary current Of Aboli-
tiouiSn and the weak, if not wicked magi, >
trate who was helplessly committed to it.
Whenever the Administration shall cast
loose from the foul embrace of treasonaIle
Aboli:io -isnl whenever it shall retrace it,
course, and fall back upon the sound. safe.
constitutional, civilized and statesnanlike
policy upon which it originally started.
aking a restored Union and honorable
peace the only objects Of this horrible war
it will find itself again supported, cheered
and sy mpathized with by that formidable
ard cJntrolling body of American citizens
whom, in an hour of fatal blindness. it rude>
ly thrusts from its confidence, preferring to
place its trust in those inEsrnal spirits whose
touch is pollution and their counsel death.
Y bile conscious that the country has been
subjected TO this terrible calamity by the
wickeGness of radical Abclitionists. who en-
deavor to shield themselves from the lust
odium of their conduct bc loud and enpty
professions of patriotism, the Democratic
party are ready, as they ever have been. to
do whatever may become loyal citizens TO
put down this REBELLION and repair, as far as
possible, the terrible mischief which they
had no hand in bringing upon the country.
The Democratic party are ready to sub
Nit to any sacrifice for the sake OF the