The mountain Democrat., 1865-02-11
Organization 81 the Democratic
RArtYs

&AFSYs
1t is somewhat entertaining to read the
lectures Of the Administration editors up.
on the duty Of the Democratic party
Because Mr.. Lincoln has been reelected,
they say we should lay aside our princi-
pies, become radical AbOlitionists, and
give . unanimous and unquestioning sup
port to anything and everything resolved
upon by the Administration. They gen.
erousIy advise Us to give up our organizs'
ft1Od md nVite uSt0 eEaS:S13 :1sif 5eas-
form. The reason advanced for this de-
sertion of our duty and prostitution Of
our influence, is the alleged Endorsement
Of Mr.. Lincoln's policy by the people Of
the United States. We believe that
large majority Of the people Of the United
States disapprOve OF that policy ; and we
believe that at the last election large
majority of the legal voters repudiated it.
Believing so we shall not only adhere to
our party, but earnestly urge the Democ-
racy everywhere to commence thorough
organization Of OUT party. We put no
superstitious faith in parties, organized
or unorganizcd. The organization is
valueless if the party is worth nothing
and the party is worth nothing, if its
principles are bad, or its practices corrupt,
or its members timid and lukewarm.
There are but two parties in the field
the old, time .honored, Constitution rever-
encing Democratic party, and the section
al and fanatical, if not reasonable, Adolf
ton party. Of these two parties we think
the Democratic is the better; we think
its history proves this fact; and we think
the people will, ere long, acknowledged it,
by placing it again in power. It's ascen-
dency and rule, experience proves, ure bet
ter calculated to advance the legitimate
aims of Government, than the other. 1t
is beyond question that the experience Of
the past attests tho superiority of the
Democratic party and its principles for
whatever of progress or of achievement
signalizes the American Government, is
directly traceable to Democratic policy.
Indeed, no Californian can dispute the
proposition without confessing that, if it
had not been for the success Of Democrat
ic principles, he could not have been here
to dispute it atall. California owes her ex-
istcnce, as one of the States Of the Union,
to the Democratic party. The leaders Of
the Administration party, with Mr.. Lin
coin at their head, opposed the war by
which we acquired California. If their
policy had prevailed, California would now
be, in all probability, a province of Next
co. If the Democracy had done no more
than acquire California, they could claim
imperishable renown not for bringing in
and peoplng new State, but for giving
an impetus TO commerce and trade. But
this is but one jewel. All the great
measures Of the country are those set up
by that party; for the permanent policy
Of the nation, when the nation was united,
prosperous and happy, was shaped and
directed by it, 1t proposes to continue
the same poicy,and especially it proposes
to counteract the sectional, mischievous
and dangerous policy Of the Administra-
ton party.
Organization and party discipline are
essential to give success to principles. -
Principles only are of use when put into
practice, and we must keep up our organ
ization if We hope to put our principles
into practice. Is there Democrat in
California, who voted for Mcclellan, will
ing to rcnounce his principles solely be-
cause of Mr.. Lincoln's reelection? Does
his victory, no matter how achieved, make
good principles bad? Has it been Gus
tomary for parties, when defeated, to dis
band their organization and repudiate
their creed? Did the Republicans do it
when Fremont was defeated! Did the
Democracy do when Cass was defeated?
Has the defeat Of the Democratic party
and the triumph Of the Abolition party
been blessing to the countryH No sane
man will have the hardhood to answer
in the affirmative. Time and experience
will pronounce the triumph Of Abolition
ism curse. 1t is duty the Democracy
owe to their principles and their country
to keep up their organization. On the
success Of their principles depends the
salvation of the country. Let them
stand upon the inherent justice and truth
of them. The soundneSs Of our position
was recognized and Endorsed at the polls
by nearly one.half of the voters of the
loyal" States, in spite of oil that the cor
ruption and intimidation Of the Admins
ton could do to the contrary. Surely
this is encouraging. Those principles are
as sound to-day, and the duty Of sustain.
ing them is as sacred as before the cleo
tion. Keep up your organization, fellow
Democrats
The OLIVE BRANcH.-The heartleSs
leaders of the party in power swear that
the war shall DO continued until the