The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-30

From N. Y Journal Of Commerce Independent in
Political

We observe that great many superficial
writers and publishers are asserting, with en-.
tire confidence, that the Democratic party is
dead. This is very curious idea, and one
which, great many times before this, has
been as confidently put forth. But as it has
not proved true hitherto, so it is natural to
question whether it is true now, and it may be
asserted that the Democratic party is very far
from being dead, and, whether for good or
evil, is likely to survive for a long time to
come. 1t is marvellous that men who pretend
to deal in politics, and to teach it to their read.
ers, should be found asserting such simply
nonsensical idea as this. 1t does no good, but
rather does harm by misleading the reader and
concealing the truth. We do not now pretend
to say whether it is desirable that the Demo-
cratic party should be dead or not For the
purposes of this article, it does not concern us
to discuss whether the life of that party has in
1t danger to the country, or not. We simply
desire that our readers should know the truth,
and therefore we warn them not be misled by
any foolish notion that the Democratic party
had ceased to exist, or has ceased to be great
power in the country. The Presidential cleo.
ton of last fall showed no signs of weakness
in that party. Their defeat was not 60 great
as to give any ground to the idea that they
are demoralized. On the contrary, the remark
able fact stands out, that with the gigantic
powers welded by the Administration party,
with more than million voters actually under
military control, or in paid employ of the Ad-
ministration, the Democratic party polled very
nearly one half of the entire vote of the loyal
States. This does not look like dying or dead
political party. He will count without his
host who Omits in the reckoning of American
affairs this very important fact.
We call it important, and it will appear 80 if
carefully examined. We beg the reader to
dismiss from his mind any idea that we are
inn in IF fho 10
simply seek to impress truth on all men who
are looking at the future, and we are content
for this purpose to admit as facts anything and
everything that may be said against Democrats
as party. In point of fact, # we could have
our own way, we would sweep all political par
ties forever from existence, and forbid them
to raise their corrupt forms in the land But
this cannot be done. Hence the importance of
knowing and estimating the truth In regard to
the Democratic party. During the past four
years the opposition to that party has been
conducted on the principle that the Democrats
were in sympathy with the rebels at the South.
Now if this assertion were true, what would
be the present state of affairs? The amnesty
proclamation has already restored to voting
powers enough men to swell the Democratic
vote in the country to an immense majority
over the Republican vote of last fall. To meet
this very idea, . party seems now determined
to introduce negro suffrage in the South,
so that the Democratic majority may be de-
feated.
But is rot this idea rather dubious? What
is likely to be the influence over negroes
voting? Who that remembers old times in
New York, can forget that negroes are very
apt to vote with their masters. Men who
imagine that there is to be negro paradise at
the South, where the negro will be an indepen-
dent voter. acting on high moral principle, un-
swayed by sordid and worldly influences, are
very foolish men. If the issues in the future
were to be the old issues of the past, then pos.
siby there might be an array of negroes on the
one side, all for one idea, against slavery and
shareholders. But these issues are gone by.
And this is tolerably certain, that the princi-
Piles of the Democratic party are very likely to
be adopted by the employers of labor at the
South. 1t is highly probable that if the most
ferocious New England abolitionist should
buy confiscated plantation in South Carolina,
and settle on it, he would in less than three
years be an ardent, old-fashioned, hard shell
Democrat, voting that ticket and carry
ing his whole negro vote with him. For
the negroes at the South, if allowed to vote,
will be no purer and no more uninfuenced"
than voters at the North. On the contrary
the WILL of necessity, vote as their employers
vote, and as long as they are dependent race
they will follow and not lead. More than this
will the anti Democratic men, who favor me-
gro suffrage as means or Keeping down the
Democratic party, please explain on what
principle the negro at the South, who votes on
independent principles, can possibly vote Tor
any other party than the Democratic. Can he
te persuaded that high protective tariff is for
his good? Can he be taught that paper mo-
ney is better than hard dollars? Can he be in
itiated into the mystery of National Banks !?
This is worth thinking about The negro suf-
frage idea must not be adopted by men in
haste, to erect an anti Democratic party. The
chances are ten to one that the negro, at his
own permanent residence in the South, will
vote the Democratic ticket. For it is simply
true that the Democratic party exists, its Or
ganization remains the same, its old machinery
is strong and active, its willy operators are
wide awake, its spoil-seekers are as confident
and as villainously shrewd as ever, lis honest
men are as firm in their adherence to cd doc
trlnes and principles as they were in the days
OF Andrew jackson, and In short the party is
great element in the future of the country.
How much depends on its course in future
may be seen from single suggestion. We
heard conversation q few days ago on the
punishment of treason. Said one gentleman
II hope that Andrew johnson will prove as
ne has been said to be, second Andrew Jack
SON In firmness OF purpose, and that nothing
will swerve him from his course" Said anoth.
er. don't know, for johnson was educated
at the feet of jackson in opposition to the
United States Bank, and we all know that