The mountain Democrat., 1864-01-23
Old FAsAionsd Democracy.


ever been dependent upon the respect en-
tertained By the masses of the people for
its Representatives and principles On
every occasion when it has embraced-at
the motion of some erring leader-a doc.
trine inconsistent with reason and sound
policy, it has experienced defeat. Thor.
oughly imbued With the spirit OF progress
and improvement based upon the real
welfare of the sovereign people, seeking
nothing beyond the intellectual and moral
elevation Of American freemen, whenever
the inherent good sense of the rank and
file, the bone and sineW, has disapprOved
the theories of leaders and politicians and
demagogues, with an adaptability not re-
pugnant to the stability of eternal justice,
it has boldly eschewed the favOrite dogmas
of any or all of its priesthood. and as q
party planted itself upon that basis sane
toned as sound, ~ the experience Of Inc
past, or the convictions of present reason.
In this way it has maintained its proud
position, since the inception Of its organi-
zatiOn-a position it cannot forfeit with
out dishonor. Scorning to truckle to the
allurements Of immediate success-above
the base instincts and low arts and
wretched tricks of plausible demagogues,
it has, without hesitation, changed front,
at all times, when enlightened reason and
sound policy dictated such course.
Through all its mutations, however, the
Democratic party has preserved an un-
furnished consistency in its elemental
doctrines, and throughout the long years
Of its existence, can point with pride and
qualification to the purity and directness
Of its general course. Bitterly denounced,
severely ridiculed, fercely assaulted and
basely slandered, the fundamental doc
trines of its creed have survived the Wig
orous onslaught Of open opposition, and
the cowardiy attacks Of household treason
and tho apostacy of professed friends
Offered alliances absolutely certain to in
sure temporary triumph, without sacri-
ficing any of its cardinal principles, yet it
has never strayed from the path of politi-
cal duty, to enjoy the spoils and positions
temptingly offered Onward it has gone
towards the ful6llment of its high mission,
regardless of the difficulties impeding its
progress; often misrepresented, discour.
aged and betrayed, and deserted by those
whom it had honored and rewarded, ,paus-
ing awhile to recruit its strength, with an
eye undeviatngly directed to the happi-
ness and prosperity Of the country, and
under the impulse of an unwavering faith,
it has steadily pursued its way. In the
hour of defeat it has presented a front as
bold, unconquerable and Sanguine as in
the hour Of victory.
Oftentimes, when the clouds we're
thickest ard darkest, and a relentless foe
pressed in the rear, selfish and unscrupu-
lous demagogues have advised the De-
mocracy to abandon their organization
and affiliate with new party but the
advice was scornfully rejected; the DEM
ocratic legions preferring defeat to VIC
tory purchased at the price of their creed.
The history of our glorious old party
proves the truth of this assertion. Some
of its champions, in recent contests, we
regret to say, flinched, others deserted to
the enemy, or from motives Of personal
aggrandizement or revenge acted with
the Abolitionists, and they will have to
pay the penalty of their wavering faith.
Such defections have never materially
lessened the strength or retarded the pro.
gress Of the Democratic party. 1t has
always recovered from defeat and renew
ed the contest with increased enthusiasm
and vigor, and it will do so again. A
bright day is dawning for the Democratic
party the Administration has deceived
the people by false promises; they have
discovered the cheat, and are determined
to place once more in power the party
that wisely, TRANQUILITY and gloriously ad
ministered the Government for upwards
Of seventy years.
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