The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-09-30
SEPT. 80, 1864.
A Party in Dsorspitude.

F.'HarNF ..HH.k lrrf /. NJ Hrr.rrL#|
There is hardly any fact so striking to the
political observer Of recent times as the
change of character which has come over
the Democratic party, not merely in princi.
plcs, but in spirit and tone, Il used to be
the great war party Of the country, the par
ty of high national hopes, the party OF "man.
ifest destiny"--proud. confident. daring, and
with exuberance of vitality which sloughed
of into Gllibustering enterprises and period
ical insults of Old England. Such was the
Democracy that rallied around jackson. and
showed CLEANS Of Its ancient spirit even in
the administrations OF Polk and Pierce.
When Mr.. Golden was last in this country,
but four or FIVE years ago. he was struck with
tho superior degree of boldness which distin.
guished the Democratic over tho Republican
party. ..lH .'"
But all this Is now changed: whether by
the withdrawal OF the hast elements OF the
Democratic party ut the North, or by the Sc
cession of It's modern leaders at the South,
we cannot say. Certain II is, the Democra,'
cy have now become as timid and despond.
cnt as they were once vigorous and courage
Gus. Read their papers and listen to their
speeches. and what do you have but an inter.
ninabls ringing of the changes on tho fail.
ure of the war, our inability to conquer the
traitors in arms, the hopelessness of the bur-
dens which are nccumulating upon US. the
failure of our finances and the impending
ruin of the country? There Is no faith in
the restorative energies OF the people, no
sublime trust that order and peace will yet
he evolved out OF the commotion OF war. and
especially no determination to stand by the
authorities and light the struggle through
nothing but complaints and groans and iec-
p bic suggestions of compromised How entire
ly variant this is from the spirit OF tho mass.
es, may be seen in the recent elections oi
Vermont and Maine. whose voice sweeps over
the land like health-giving breeze from the
mountains. The same undnnnted and daunt-
less spirit comes up, too. from our soldiers
, scattered oil along the front OF war. They
p who know practically ten times moro Of the
real sufferinys and sacrifices Of the war than
your average Democrat, have undrcd.folj
more national spirit and faith. They tecl
sure Of prevailing in the end, and believe the
final triumph " DO worth infinitely more
than 1t costs. , liir.a uN rul -
But IL may bc said tho soldiers blood is
up, and his confidence il natural. Let US,
then, to measure tho craven timidity OF mod.
ern Democracy, take another class, common
ly supposed to DO the very nntipodcs OF the
fighting class. to wit : our capitalists. They
arc not 70 much tlmid as excessively caution,
from the habit of calculating oil chances and
looking far ahead. The Government recent.
Is appealed to this class for money on the ma
tionai securities Tho answer 'was to bc Civ
en- nt n time when the Democratic abuse ol
the Government and the predictions OF ma.
tional ruin had reached their height, and af-
ter the signs had become sure that the Chica.
go programme was to be rejected and the
present administration continued in power.
The result was that, while S3l 900 600 were
asked for. no less than $50 900 600 wcrc OF.
fered on reasonable business terms! So much
for tho immunity of our moneyed and bust
ness classes from the whole paralyzing army
Of buybears and Nightmares which oppress
the Democratic party. Obviously, no such
party can bs permitted to take tho helm OF
State at u crisis like this. Their fears unfit
thcm for duty. and are calculated to bring on
the very dangers they are constantly harping
upon. If any part OF their lugubrlous tone
Is q nero electioneering dodge, it is equally
dangerous and doubly reprchensible.-Bos.
ton Journal.