Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-23
'The 1Duty Of Dcmocrnts.

The duty of a Democrat in this fearful
crisis in our country's fate, is the same as
that Of every honest, Intelligent and patri-
otic citizen, 1t is to remain firm and true
to his political principles-those principles
by (which our free institutions sprung into
existence, and gave us the best system of
government the world ever saw. These
principles, while they may induce him to
oppose the policy Of the Administration of
the National, or of his State Government,
win also lead him to acquiesce cheerfully
in the decisions of majorities of his fell
low-citizens on all questions the Constitu-
ton has lett to maiorities. But this does
not hinder him from entertaining the con-
yiction that majorities may err, and that in
the selection Of men for Office, majority
may have made an absurd, foolish and
ruinous choice. ..-.
That Democrats have been beaten In
political contest for Office affords no reason
why they should surrender their principles,
or relax in the least their efforts for the
maintenance of those principles. 1t pre-
sents, on the other hand, the strongest
possible argument for their remaining
firm, iniexible and united as one man, in
the yindication and restoration of consttu-
tional rights and liberties. These rights
and liberties can be vindicated and restored
by the Democracy of the country alone. 1t
alone can save the Union of States by re-
storing it with the rights of the States un-
impaired. This is too plain and obvious to
admit of controversy or dispute. No man
who has watched the course of events since
the present Administration took the reins
of government, can doubt that if the DEM
ocratic party was in power, the Union under
the Constitution would be put Immediately
in the way of certain and complete restora-
ton. But until that party is placed in
power, or its principles obtain the ascend
ancy, it is clear that the restoration of the
Union is utterly hopeless.
Such being the case, the duty of Demo-
Gratis in this trying exigency is manifest
1t is to redouble their efforts for the preva-
lence of those principles that gave birth to
our glorious Union of States, and made it
grow and increase in prosperity and great
ness for over three-score and ten years. On
the efforts and strength of the united De-
mocracy, the restoration OF the Union and
the salvation OF the country depend. Thou
sands of our political opponents are intel
ligent enough to see and be convinced of
this, and that conviction is daily gaining
ground in their ranks. In their inmcst
hearts, they are secretly wishing for Demo-
cratic success, because without that success
they are satisfied that nothing can save
them as well as Democrats from being in
yolved in one common ruin. a1
When the tide has reached its lowest
ebb, itturns and flows back again. "There
is tidc.n we are told, ''in the affairs Of
men," If not already, the tide in our
cotintry's affairs, we trust, will soon reach
its lowest ebb. Then there will be turn
a flowing back that will rejoice all hearts.
Let Democrats stand as faithful sentinels on
the watchtowers Of constitutional freedom
and right, ready to hail and urge on the
isingpopular tide In favor of the restora-
ton of the Union on the basis of the Con-