The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-02-03
From tue Dayton EmpiEe:1
The TrueP Position OF the Democrat
lie Party.

There are always some men in community
who are neither fish, flesh or fowl. For their
accommodations new party is ordinarily launch
ed in important elections based upon uncertain
principles, but more uncertain nuGbers. Just
SO we are now enjoying the sight of this tenn
porary fabric, in course of erection, IN anlici-
patton of the next struggle for the Presidency.
This is all folly. The next Presidential
contest, if we are permitted the forms of an
election once again, will be fought fair and
sauarely upon the issues of peace or war
By that time it will be evident that merely
how this war shall be carried on is a dead, if
indeed it ever was a live, issue.
TIL true position of the democracy is peace,
that of the opposition is war. This war PARTY
is now the most numerous. But another half
year of unsuccessful warfare, increased taxa
ton, repeated subscriptions, and financial
crashes, will bring the peace party int a prom
inence and power terrible to its foes. Between
the hosts of these two contending and discip-
lined armies, anintermediate facaion of half way
and timid individuals will fare no better than
did the illustrious Pickwick between the ad-
vancing columns of a sham battle.
The true position of the democratic party
always was or ought to have been for peace
In the very beginning of this civil war, our
truest leaders planted themselves upon such a
platform, and We ought to have supported
them manfulIy and boldly. If we had done
so war might have been avoided or ended be-
FIRE this.
The fathers of this Republic all agreed up
on one principle-that there was no power in
the Federal Government to coerce a State
This was not simply a matter of opinion, but
a question of fact for they discus. ed its expe-
diency and in the formation of the Constitu-
ton refused to insert the grant of ouch power.
No man was more fully committed against the
- r. =
Yet he was the father OF federalism, the friend
of a strong government, and the parent of the
party of consolidation and Capitalization
Why then did We of the democratic party
lack the courage to take the same position p
Had We not repeatedly pledged ourselves to
the resolution of 90 aud '99 in tteir fullest
extent and meaning? Undoubtedly we had.
Aud yet with the fathers of our country, all
the written history, all the reason. logic and
sense upon our side, sheer eowardice drove
the mass of our leaders, and with them the
body of our party, iGto the arms of monarch
ical consolidationists.
1t is TOO late to repair the ruin which has
been the result of our fear, but we may yet
save an fetch together the pieces of a disap
pointed country. 1t cannot be done by "war
democracy" or Constitutional Unienists," or
"McClelanism," OF any half way Organization.
1t may be done by true democracy, planting
themselves not solely on the platform OF their
party, but upon the doctrines and principles of
all the founders of our government.
Let us do so then. Abandon forever this
toying with this war party. Let us arise from
It's lap, lest it shear us of our whole strength.
The war is wrong in the very idea upon which
it is based it is disgraceful to our civilization,
under the legislation of Congress, the procla-
| nation of Lincoln, and the brutalitics of But
Ter, Schenck, and Mcneil it has become hope
less of any desirable result, and is eating upon
our substance and numbering the flower of our
youth.
IF the people will take this matter in hand
and reject expediency and policy, we shall
have hope. Their leaders will soon come
right, if they ara held to a strict account
Let us do so. Let US call out or peace, de-
mand peace, work for peace. Let us call out
for peace. Then our young men may stay at
home, and our brave soldiers once more return
: to their sufft ring and distressed families.