The mountain Democrat., 1864-02-06
Tho Demoeraex In 1854.

Tho democracy In 1861 i
flour country has ever had occasion, in
the progress of its history, to look for
present safety and future prosperity to
the principles and policy of the Demo-
cratic party, the necessity of relying up
on the same refuge now exists with null
tiplied intensity that q corrupt and
reasonable party administers the Gov
ernment. During our political struggles
in former years, .ho Democratic party
had arrayed against it powerful ana re-
spectacle organization, Of many years
growth, with certain leading, well.detined
and clearly understood principles, sup
ported by able and well.known states
men-by men Of worth, integrity and
ability-by men Of enlarged views, sound
judgment, vast experience and stainless
character. But that great party, accord.
ing to the prediction of one Of its eminent
'eeSgsr%, - n~S 1iysq NsNlN - &i4tG~7s' L.
After the dacsat cE Gca. Sect far tha
Presidency it disbandcd, and from its
ashes sprang the illiberal but still nation.
ai'hnow Mourning party, ~nicn riouf,si,rG
brief period and then sank into utter
nothingness. Another faction, more cor
rupt, dangerous and fanatical than the
Know Nothing 6zzle, and which has
completely absorbed its worst elements,
next presents its hideous front. 1t is
strong in Enthusiasm ~. real i. GsraticiSm
and patronage, but as it is purely a sec.
tional organization, without principle,
without capacity, without patriotism, and
with a villainous record, it must soon be
numbered among the things that were"
1t is now only held together by the CO.
hesive power Of public plunder." Rene.
gade Democrats, political Adventures,
unscrupulous dcmagogues and "brainless
fanatics" control it's action and shape its
policy. In the brief space of three years
it has expended billions of treasure, shed
oceans of blood, shroudcd the land in
mourning and bankrupted the nation
1t has usurped power, diSregarded the
laws, violated the Constitution, dictated
to the Courts, stiaed public opinion, in.
carceratcd in loathsome bastiles citizens
for exercising the right of suffrage and
freedom of speech, suppressed Democrat
ic newspapers, and placed the military
above the civil power. 1t makes alle-
glance to the Administration, not to the
Government, the test of "loyalty," and
stigmatizes as a ira itor every man who
refuses to worship at its polluted shrine.
If there were great, rational, mag,
unanimous party, as in days of yorc, con.
tending against the Democratic party, we
might calmly await the issue, feeling con-
fident that we had no serious danger to
apprehend from the triumph of our oppo-
nents. But such, unfortunately, is not
tho case. A faction, composed of the
worst material, of men who care nothing
for principle, Of professional oifce.seek.
ers. who have belonged to and betrayed
all parties, are arraycd in opposition to
the Democratic party. They are work
ing to destroy the Union and to build up
military despotiSm. When, therefore,
has there been an emergency which called
more emp atically for adherence to the
well known and time. honored principles
Of the Democratic party? 1t is the only
national party in cXistence-the only
party which rallies around itself the sym
pathies and the ardent cooperation of ev-
cry true friend of the Constitution, the
Union, and civil liberty.
Past experience proves that the Demo
cratic party is the only party which has
the capacity to govern tha country
which can sufficiently command the con.
fidencc of the people of all sections of the
land, to be able to give strength to its ad-
ministration. Democrats, who may have
been causelessly alarmed by the result of
the late elections, or by the pretensions
Of the factionists, will, on reflection, per.
ceive the vantage ground which their
party occupies, and will readily believe
that the people can never come out of n
great contest without understanding
these, and rendering a verdict so obvious
ly demanded at their hands. They will
not abandon the guardianship of the
Democratic party, under which they have
so long prospered, to commit their inter
estS to the weak, corrupt and traitorous
party in power. That experiment has
been tried, and the result is humiliating
to every true American and disastrous to
the country. The struggle to continue
the ascendency of Democratic principles,
and to prelong the triumph Of Democrat
ic policy in the Government of this ma
ton is worthy the best efforts of every
patriotic citizen.
~S@$<--
Coop FOR OLD PIkE-The ST. Joseph Herald
says gentleman residing in Pike county. Mis-.