Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-09-16
TFrom the Missouri Democrat !
THE COWARD PARTY.

A more contemplate position was never
| occupied by any set of men, than that now
held by the so-calIed Democratic party. 1t
has made itself thing of scorn TO his honest
| and earnest men of all organizations. Its
leaders, after brawlng and swelling with
brave words throughout the land, threaten
ing war upon Lincoln's administration, and
demanding peace with the rebels, went to
Chicago like lions, roared a prelude-tben
changed their skins and came away like asses,
praying very mildly, They dou't know where
they are-whether for peace or war, for the
Uuion or against it. They merely know that
they want to get office, and are not very par
ticular whether the rebels or the Union neu
whip in the great battle for nationality and
everybody else knows it. too A few rich
bankers and railroad directors came TO Chica-
go from the East with full pockets, and a few
thousand dollars worth Of fre-crackers, aud
all the Democrat virtue ard courage there
was iu the thousands congregated, melted and
oozed out in small streams before their seduc-
tions, like the snow of winter under the power
of April suns. Alas for Democratic stam-
in a-Messrs. Harris and Long made little
show of it, and then in sputted and fickered
out like farthing candle.
The nominations are muddle and med
ley. A war-horse and a peace-horse are har-
messed together and expected to draw the par
ty wagon, though pulling in opposite direc-
ton. The great peace army of the nation
marches on its Quaker mission with little
fellow in soldiers clothes at its head bearing
bloody flag, and another chap bringing up
the rear with sickly flag of truce. The
Democratic ticket is sent out like black kite
with white tail, in the hope of catching
gulls. Few are the cilly birds that will be
deluded by such transparent piece of clap
trap as that.
And the platform "a more cowardly, time
serving, pusillanimous mik-and-water declara-
tion never emanated from any other set OF
~. 1t is neither for the North or South
for peace or for war. for the Union or the reb-
els. All CT its priDciples-all its utterances,
men just one hing-spoils. 1t proves that its
authors are willing TO crawl like serpants, and
lick the dirt off the feet of any party, to get
the emoluments of office. They are time
servers as miserable as were ever spawned
amid the corruption of the most lroublous
times The author of the Chicago platform
do not rise to the dignity of mercenaries, be-
cause mercenaries are expected to earn their
pay, and fight upon one side or the other
But the Chicago platform builders are not
willing TO fight. they are mere camp follow.
ers-go between between the two armies,
ready to rob the dead of either side
Tue simple truth is that the cali to Chica-
go, instead of bringing together body of
patriots congregate all Of the unsettled, sore
heads marketable aud reptile elements in the
country the debris and off:sconrings Of all
p partes-old Wings. old Know-Nothings
fossil and gibbering Conservatives, peace-
sneaks and traitos--wling to debase them
selves 10 any extent, and submit to anything
for the sake of procuring present advantage,
aud all ready 10 desert the mougre orkaniza-
tiou as soon as there is the least prospect oi
being profted by so doing.
Hence they were both unwilling and un-
able to take bold and definite stand Tor
anything. They look to but one end--par-
~ success--caring noS straw for the coun
try. To this end, and to help them on in
their single purpose, they picked up the old
cast-of name of Democracy from the mire in
which ii had been trampled by ,JeIi. Davis
and his fellow traitors, and pui II oa, a, a
convenient disguise, with all its accumula ted
fifth.
All this was done at the home and over
the grave of Douglas. What a righteous re-
buke it would have been, could the form ol
tie great Democrat leader have arisen among
that strong and trading politicians. when
they we're the moss busy in selling themselves
and endeavoring to sell their country, and, in
bis we'll known voice, have pronounced those
glorious words of his last public speech:
"There are only too sides to the question.
EUery man must be for the United States
or against It. There can be no ooeutrals
IN this aoar; only patriots and traitors"