Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-03-26
Our Position and Duty.


should not be misunderstood by friend or
foe, 1t is yet in the power of the Demo-
cracy to right the ship Of State, save the
country from utter ruin, and re-established
liberty on republican basis. But to
achieve this requires. .fatth in its possibility;
energy to work for its accomplishment
and patience to wait for the fruit. "Faith
without works, is dead;" and work, with.
out faith,is n weary toll. We are sorry to
see some Of our true, and heretofore hope
iul, Democrats, sink into inertia, and in
dulge in dependency. We do not much
wonder at it for there are discourage
ments everywhere. A Constitution viola.
ted,a country ruined ,and people in tears
is enough to touch the heart, and unnerve
the hands; but what shall we do! Sloth
will not save us, nor dependency bring
safety. Besides,
The dakest day.
Live till tomorrow, will have passed away"
Let US remember hatlabor conquors all
things. The work is great, but the reward
will be glorious when it is accomplished.
And although we were defeated last fall
we should not be discouraged. That re.
suit was brought about by fraud. 1t will
be our own fault if it is repeated. Even
our enemies do not boast over it. They
are satisfied to enjoy the fruits of thier ill
gotten victory, without e1ultation. A Dem
ocratic host Of 254,000 men in a single
State, and nearly two million in the North
they know well is not to be despised. And
the same reason that fills our opponent
with dread, should inspire our friends with
hope and activity. We stand to-day
stronger in truth, stronger in light and
stronger in the hearts ol the people than
ever before. They cannot be blind to pas
sing events; they cannot be Indifferent to
the destruction of their liberty, They see
the laws trampled on; their sons slaugh:-
cred by thousands. They may view all
this in silence, but they cannot see it with
satisfaction. A corrective must be sought
The only hope presented is in change OF
policy; and there is no hope of change
Of policy except there be first a change Of
administration. la this is an element of
democratic strength. We may, therefore
reasonably hope for very material aeccs-
sions from the opposition ranks. And
these accesslons will be of the most desira-
BILE kind OF conservative men. truly dis,
gusted with their former political associa-
tions. Here and there such men will ad
here to our already mighty host aud with
this augmented strength, victory is sure -
Our attitude, then, as a party, it most i'm
posing and commanding. We know tha,
some iear-and they have no reason to fear
from what has already been done-that if
corruption and fraud cannot carry the pre-
sent corrupt and fraudulent party into
power again, that force will be called to
their aid This may be contingently true;
but not unless the Democracy invite it. -
If we show craven heart, or Indifference
TO the rusult, we have nothing better to ex-
pect for that they have the disposition
to use force, when necessary, the elections
in Kentucky and Maryland abundsn.ly
prove. But if we act like fresmen, con-
cious of our rights and determined to main.
tain them, there is not the slightest dan.
ger Planting ourselves upon the Consti-
tuition and Laws, we should boldly upon
resent and repel by forece, If necessary,
the slightest interference with our rights
Let tyrants beware, should be the watch
ward from Maine 10 California in the Dem
ocratic camps, But it should not rest in
mere declaration. ActuaI Weparmjon TO,
dct'ce resistance to Jorcsbiy interference
should be promptly and thoroughly male.
Resolutions will not do; newspaper fulm-
nations will not do; but complete organi,
cation, embracing every State and ram;fy-
ing every township, will be effective. This
organization should be political, not mill
tary, but so organized that military from
could be speedily evolved, if need should
require. I he time for the transition would
be when force should be used to prevent
or control free elections. When that
time oomes--and we sincerely hope it may
never come-the Democrat who would hes
itate to repel force, with force, and main,
tain his rights even at the point Of the
sword, is an arrant coward and deserves
to be slave. We do not believe it will
ever be necessary to 60 the extreme length
oi physical resistance, but the very best
way to avoid it is to be prepared for it.
We ieel morally certain that in so doing
is our best security. If we assert our
rights and our manhood with manly cour.