The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-06-30
Monday Morning. June so, 1852.

OF sKowHEGAN

~Shset ~ sAe-S AAe&a Nonhoi vi tiiS oONSinAutut-
held the reins Of power, and that nearly all of
our material prosperity, with the growth of
the Union, have been secured under the dom
nance ofthe policy heretofore denominatedthe
Democratic policy. 1t is not our purpose at
this time either to endorse or ignore this claim.
We are not ignorant of the history of the par
ty referred to, nor are we unmindful of the
galaxy Of great names scattered along the path
way of that history. For Democracy per Sc
Democracy as understood and exemplified by
Jefferson and Madisoa--we entertain the most
profound respect, and when such Dcmocra-
cy is understood we plead second to no one in
the justice of our claims to be recognized as a
Democrat. But for that form of Democracy
which to-day is recognized by party leaders =
that kind Of Democracy set forth, indicated
and commended for in the recent address of c.
L. vallandigham and others-thirteen mem
bers OF the present Congress-and upon which
it has been proposed to re-erect and re-estab-
lish National Democratic party, we have no
more respect than we have for the teachings
of Jo. Smith, the insane follies of the Free
Lover, or the idiosyncracies of Abby Folsom.
Our present purpose is to appeal to the can
did spirit of old political associates, and ask
them to consider for one moment if, under the
pleasing and specious name of Democracy,
they are not liable to deception, and are not
really worshipping mere phantom-the mere
"ghost of Democracy" to use the precise term
recently applied by one of those to whom we
would appeal-while the essential essence, soul
and spirit ofDemocracy, and all there is of 1t
worth remembering or preserving, have de-
parted from their organization, and are really
identified with and represented by an organiza-
ton which they are opposing? What was
the Democracy ofJefierson, and wherein con-
sisted its power to touch and move the popu-
lar heart? 1t was, briefly summed up, the doc
trine Of equal rights-that all men, by virtue
of their common creation, are equal. Such
doctrine laid the axe at the very tap-root of
all those old governmental policies which
spring from recognition of the "divine right
of kings" and awakened the opposition of all
who doubted the ability of the people to gov
ern themselves, or who believed in frame
work OF government made of hardened steel,
that would break before it would bend hairs
breadth to meet the increasing wants of man,
developed by the advance of the age in lght
and knowledge.
The secret of the success of the Jeffersonian
doctrine, is found In its adaptabiity to the COM
mon wants of the commonpeople. 1t embraced
the masses, and to it the same masses cheer
fully gave their hearts and their hearts best
offerings
But how Is it to-day? Take that policy
claimed TO be democratic by those who worship
abe name of Democracy and are striving 10
rekindle fires upon its affairs; do the people
respond to it? Where? In what State? At
what election? Is 1t not VIGOROUSLY true that
the people refuse both their votes and their
sympathy for nominations coupled with mod
e-n expositions of Democracy? Our expert
ence and our observation both assure us that
such is the fact. The reason for this fact is
apparent. Democracy, as at present defined
OF course we refer to the definitions given
through its organs and organizations-is not
what II was in Jefierson's time. 1t has ceased
to make equal rights its chief corner stone.
and has come to be the champion and defend
er, or at least, the apologist and conservator of
one of the worst forms of despotism that ever
disgraced a civilized nation. Look at the
so-called democratic platforms and resolutions
of the day--the programme of Messrs valan-
digham, Richardson O. Co, to which allusion
has already been made. What is the central
idea the inspiring spirit, the real soul, the es-
sential essence of them all? Is it that human
freedom must be defended; that civil and re-
ligious liberty must be sacredly guarded; that
the avenues through which oppression travels
should be carefully closed up; that Right is
superior to Might; that fidelity to its moral
convictions is the safest policy for nation as
well as for an individual; that truth, Justice
and righteousness are as inseparable from ma
tional as from personal prosperity? Are these
the cardinal, unbending, immovable landmarks
OF Democracy, in the present form of its deyel-
opement? DO these enter into the constelIa-
ton by whose light its course is shaped amid
the clouds and darkness of the present hour
We ask honest Democrats, whose hearts have
not become fossilized by party drill-especially
young men, who wish to start in safe direc-
ton and from deIensible standpoint, to think
of these things, and as the church has it, "mark.
learn, and inwardly digest them'
We ask them, spurning all leadership. and
using the intelligence with which they have
been favored, to look facts in the face, and see
how the Democracy of to-day, as il is propos-
ed TO reconstruct and defend it, is mere bob
for the slavery kite. Look at its resolutions.
and wherein they differ from the resolutions
OF the Republican organizations, it win be
found that they differ mainly on the side, in the
direction, andin favor OF, slavery. "Slavery
must not be disturbed "" Slavery must be let
alone y" Slavery must not be abolished "
these are their sum and substance to a lamen-
table extent. Support the government. they
say, but don't touch slavery; put down the re-
bellioS, but don't touch slavery; restore the
Union, but don't jostle slavery; and so the
" don'ttoueh-slavery y Is tackled on as cendi-
ton precedent Of almost every proposition
made by the class of democratic leaders 10
whom We refer, and who are TO be the men Of
the party and is controlling men, If the party
Is galvanized into life. The very necessity for
Its reconstruction is averred to be. In almost so
many words, 10 save the Union iritAouf hurt
ing siareryi This tendency and purpose are
shown In the very slang phrases which they
apply to Republicans and Republicanism !;
Republicaeism n ahoiifionisyn r. say they: