Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-11-23
The Duty Of the Democracy.

Ine Outy OF the democracy.
Whatever may be the opinion Of the
friends of the Administration, every calm
and impartial man must admit that the
resuks Of the election for Presi-
dent, do not express the free opinion OF
the citizens Of the free States. 1t is be-
yond doubt that means were used, to Sc
cure votes for the Administration, which
were neither sanctioned nor justified by
law or morals. Force and money. ARE the
chosen agents of power, and power has
used both without scruple in the late efec-
tiop.. Mr.. Lincoln may receive the form
al votes as officially annouced but he
never received the free, unbought suilraees
of the majority of tho citizens of these
Staies. History will so record, when 1T
surveys the past, from the position Of i'm
partial and unbiased observation. As an
index for the future searcher after the
trsth, we now record this opinion. 1t
may serve as indicative AZ least, for such
An investigation, then, as justice will de-
mand from the trath Of such q history, as
will be worthy of the name.
Under this view Of the subject, and with
these opinions, which we believe to be
those of the whole Democratic party OF
the country, it becomes most important
question now 10 decide, ~hat is tie duty Of
tic Dfmoracyy
There is so wide and marked q uitter-
ence between opposition to the Govern.
ment," and Opposition TO the policy and
measures Of the Government" that 1T re-
quiies only to state ii 10 demonstrate lis
character. The Democracy are now, and
ever have been the true friends aud real
effective supporters, of our Government
both in spirit and form. AT this time
they are so exclusively. The rights and
liberties of the people, which the spirit
and form Of our Government establishes
recognizes, and guarnties, are the bul
walks of freedom on which the Demo
cracy have placed themselves, to defend
and protect those rights ana libertle:
against all assaults. This has been th'
duty of the Democracy. 1t Is now espec
tally their duty At no time in the his
tory Of men TO whom liberty was birth
right, is this duty more imperative thar
now. TO defend the Constitution. all
each and every one OF its principles, rights
aud privileges, becomes now the para
mount duty of the Democratic party. Tit
officially pronounced vote may show ma
jority against the Democratic party. Bu
the so-called misority, in aggregate mum
bers, in honesty ofpurpose, in devotion t
the Government, in defense of the con
stilutional rights and liberties OF the poo
pie, in its free expression OF its opinions
in its unbought and solemn annunciation
of its votes at the ballot-box, has
strength and power not to be mistaken o
trined with. What made this minorit.
but love and liberty2 What constitute
its vitality but devotion TO pripciple
When in the two great Commonwealth
of New York and Pennsylvania, hardl
item thousand votes constitute the ofliciall
declared majority for the Administration
in both States, out OF the aggregate vet
Of both, the minority" as 1T is is called
tho Democracy in those States, is a powG
We invite this power to calm considers
iiion OF its duties in the future. Withou
wishing 10 dictstc, We only suggest thf
Prudence, patriotism, stern devotion I.
the principles Of our fathers, unfG,terir
determination to support the Conslitl
tion, and 10 maintain every constitutional riql
. and principle ,Ohieh hslongs to the people
the duty Of The great power which cons!
tutcs the Democratic party Of the cou
try Ready to defend, prompt to defen
determined 10 defend these rights an
privileges. must we continue TO he: it
our duty, our solemn sacred duty. In a
other respects our duty is equally plaii
= The Democracy have endeavored TO sho
the people the evils and perils which wi
follow the four years more OF the preser
Administration of the Government. "
, have no lot or part in either its pls ms {
its policy 1t cannot ask the Democrat
party TO ignor its vital principles, to abar
don the rights of the people merely I
second measures destructive Of oil const
= tulional liberty, which the Federal A
minis,ration may suggest. Another dut
clearly sequent 10 these, is to keep u
our organization and TO await the deve
opment Of the end. Tranquil, firm, will
, out participation, but with keen sensibil
ties and watchful interest in our country
fate, the duty of the Democracy is to /
vigilant, ready, and determined to pr
tect Institutions and the rights and libe
ties Of the people.-Agc.