The weekly union record., 1864-11-19
Why the Democratic Party was Defeated

may do good to parties hereafter. The Dem
its pretentions 10 nationality. 1t ha. been the
party first to take umbrage at the acts Of other
nations really, or thought to be unfrierdy TO-
wards the United States. For long time i,
had the Anglophobis, chronic disease from
which General Cas- suffered for years. Il was
always warlike towards foreign offenders. 1,
was for the war of 1872 It was for a war
with Spain for the acquisition of Cuba 1t
made the war upon Mexico for Texas aud for
alleged offences 1t was for war with England
for 54 40" And in the first of the Rebellion,
1t was for war 70 suppress If. What, then,
made it all at once Peace Party? Princi-
paly love of power and Office by the leaders of
1t. The first year of the war under Mr.. Lin
coins Administration was considered by g
large portion Of the people failure, and the
Democratic leaders were quick to perceive the
opportunity of recognizing their almost de
stroyed party and marching on to triumph.
/ The disastrous Peninsular campaign, which
brought Mcclellan and the relics of his army
back TO the point of departure, like boomer.
ang; and the dead defeat of Pope, which
brought him and the relics of bis army back 10
Washington, rolled up like pieces of old zinc
roofing, gave an excellent opportunity and
seizing upon it, they carried the elections iu
1862 and 1868 in a way that was threatening
to the party in power and hopeful for their
chances 10 the Presidential success Those
triumphs declared empha,icaly that the people
demanded a more vigorous prosecution of the
war. The Administration took the hint and
followed it. 1t exerted itself to that end. But
blind to the lesson taught By the people at the
elections, the Democratic party allowed the
traitors fn its ranks-such men as Vallandig
ham, the two Woods, the two Seymours.
Harris, Cox, Long, Pendleton, Voorhies, and
lesser ghts-to take the LEAD and make peace
at any price their policy. They met at Chi
cago, adopted platform which would disgrace
even national party of Quakers, who, though
rellglously peace men, are loyal, and then
nominated the very man as their candidate
whose failure in the Peninsnlar campaign had
FIRST given the party chance for reorganization
and success. This was great blunder, for
bow much soever many might attribute bis
defeat 10 the Administration, they could not
make the people believe it. Aad besides, the
party did not want him as lis candidate He
was War Democrat on a snufflng, cowardly,
beggarly platform, and to make it worse, they
put man Oh the ticket whose opposition to all
war measures and whose avowals in favor of
letting the South 90 had been so constant, that
no War Demoerat wanted to vote for him,
many believing him at heart as much of an
enemy 70 the Federal Government as jeff
Davis himself lie would have been heavy
load Tor a candidate as popular as Andrew
jackson to carry. Had Mcclellan been as
popular with the people as was claimed for
him, which was not the fact, Pendleton and
the Platform were two millstones heavy enough
to sink him. 1t used to be thought that a
military man must beat civilian, and remem-
bering Harrison, Taylor and Pierce, to 90 no
further back these fellows who talked so much
Of peace, put up Mcclellan, thinking be could
beat the civic Lincoln as easily as Taylor had
beaten Cass. and Harrison, Van Buren. They
should have remembered how terribly General
Scott, with all bis laurels, was beaten by
man who, although nominay military, had
exhibited bis military genius only by faculty
be had of tumbling off his horse at safe dis
tance from the battle field and how military
Fremont had his laures turned to wormwood
by pulling old Buchanan. But they did not
They violated the feeling and sentiment of a
large portion OF their party BY their platform
and candidate for Vice President. and did not
meet their wishes by that of Presidential nom
inee. They made another mistake by outspoken
sympathy with the Southern traitors, and
uuanimity in their campaign with the men
whom the country generally looked upon as
Northern traitors. We have no doubt that
very large portion OF those who were in the
ranks of the defeated party accepted the plat
form and the candidates from their leaders with
a mental protest, and were at hcart opposed to
the dsgraceful peace policy Of those who had
put them in a false position. But the name
Of Democracy and the hope Of triumph were
strong enough to sweep them along against
their Union sentiments and warhke feelings
The result ought to teach them a lesson, as it
probably has taught their leaders. No anti
war party has ever yet been successful, and
never deserved 10 be. The Wings not very
wise as to winning, were wise enough to EN-
brace the war measures of the Democrats
against Mexico after they were iuaugurated, so
not only saved their party from annihilation,
but subsequently elected General Taylor Pres
ident. The Democratic party-so calling itself
might have done as did the Whigs, and
carried the election, last Tuesday Parties
and individuals may learn from all this that