The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-03-05
From the New York World.
The Western Opposition Move
ment.


Legislature. until it should either assume
the definite shape of proposal to other
States or fail in the place where it origi-
mated. While it was un der discussion in
the West we kept the attitude Of inte-
rested spectators, watching. not without
considerable solcitude, the Development
of western opinion, but leserving what
We had to say Oh the proposed move
ment until it should BE- offered as a propo.
sition TO other States. when the question
Of its acceptance or rejection would make
it legitimate topi; of discussion with the
freest expression Of opinion in any part of
the country. But since it has become ap-
parent that the movement Is to take no
practical shape, it seems due to the West
that the Conservative press of the East
ern States should indicate their views OF
The manner in which the opposition should
be con1ucted.
W. think then--and we are confident
|
that in this we express the sentiments Of
the most discreet AMI influential Demo
Gratis in the State Of New Yo,k-that any
attemp pt to hold convention of the States
was. in the present aspect Of aff,irs. pre-
mature and Il-advised. We can now ex
press THE sentiment with entire courtesy
TO the West, for in doing 80 we merely
echo it's own conclusion. 1t is clear that
none of the rebe! States would partici
pate IN such a convention. They claim tc
have formed new conf deracy, Of which
The cenrral government at RichmonG is
the exclusive organ for communication
with foreign D, wers, and it wonld be a
practical remuneration of the secessi ion
movement to REGARD or treat us otherwise
than a for, ign power. II the proposed
convention consisted of representatives
of all the northern States. it would still
have no authority TO speak in the name of
the Federal Government. No proposal it
might make could b, considered BY the
rebel government, because. if accepted,
nobody wonld be bound by it. But when
we consider that there is, as yet. only two
or three States in which the Democrats
hnve both branches If the State Legisla-
ture, i, is obvious that Davis would have
nothing to do with convention got up
under such ausI ICES. Ii is only the Govern
ment at Washington that can bind the
American people, and. considering the
pretensions of the Richmond Govern
ment, it would lower its dignity and de
moralise It's supporters if i, descended to
negotiate with subordinates whose action
WAS certain to be disapproyed by their
principal.
1t ia the mission Of tie Opposition par
" not TO break down or enie be the Fede-
raj Government, but to get oisesslon OF II
and adm mister it on constitutional princi-
pies. IL we carry the Spring elections in
Connecticut and New Hampshire, as We
hope to do, we shall have handsome ma
joritv in the national House of representa-
tives, and complete check of miSchevous
legislation Blu. even then we shall have
no power in shaping positive policy, and
while we are out Of power it is absurd to
assume responsibility for policy. When
the presidential canvass opens in 1s it
will / proper for the opposition to denne
the principles on which they propose TO
administer the Government if they carry
the election. But for the present it Ia wis
.r to ccn6ne our efforts to simple opposi.
;iou; and opposition not captious; not pet
uant. out directed only against measures
clearly inexpedient or clearly unoonsti'u
tivnal. Why should we cucumber our
selves with positive policy while as yet
we have no power to put it in force? Very
ikel, the West and the East might not to
day agree as TO what such Il policy should
be. while the progress of events may pro
duce perfect unsnimity respecting the
points on which they wonld now differ
Why should the patriotic opposition PIE
sent the unseemiusly spectacle of js'riag
debates when time will probably merJ
their differences in season for concelted
action? What the opposition VII DO when
hey become the administration must de
pc I'd upon th- condition the co ntry who
they come into possession OF the Govern
| rn.nt Ii we take a farm in September we
may put in crop OF winter wheat, bu
not if We take it in January; if the price Of
cotton continues high we may planr flax,
but not if the Southern ports are opened;
if wool brings good price We may rear all
our lambs. but otherwise send them to
market. Just so .he policy of the Oppo.
silion must depend on the actual circum-
stances Of the country when they come
| into power.
The function of an opposition party is
pauotiva IL II IN arposa