The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1865-11-25
-nEMoCRAcY c%oNsIDEnED.

their own Ignorance of what constitutes
Democracy, as it is interpreted by Demo
|crats, IL we consider the meaning these
men give the words " Radical or "Mod-
ern." Accepting some of the dictionary
definitions of Radical-such as perfect,
entire, thorough,"-the term is correctly
applied but the general Interpretation
given to the word is: ultra, extreme,
rabid. So with Modern if they mean
by 1t /" new" the word is totally inapplica-
BILE to the Democracy Of this day, for the
principles upon which it is founded are
precisely the same as they were in the
days Of Jefferson aud Madison. The Dem
%ocratic party of this period adopts for its
cardinal political faith exactly that which
came from the hands of its great fathers
in tie foundation of the Republic, with
Out the addition to it or substraction from
it of a single important feature.
If the difference between Democracy
aud the party or organizations opposed to
il Is wider and greater at this day than it
was years ago, it is not By any act of the
Democratic party that this distance has
been augmented. While that party has
in measures and conduct always been the
party of progress and advancement, it has
never departed from or changed the an
Gent landmarks of its faith. From the
very nature of It's immutable principles,
which have their foundation deep and
broad in truth, justice, wisdom, and good
government TO all alike, the Democratic
party has been and must ever continue TO
be the party of real progress in the land
the only u which can promote the
highest interests of the country produce
the greatest amount of National and State
general and local prosperity; secure to
each aud all alike the utmost liberty con-
patible with the best interests of the COM
monwoalth ; and>so conduct the Govern
ment as TO assure TO all equally every
blessing which flows from a wise, just and
good administration Of public affairs,
No man can be mistaken as to the rrin-
eiples or general policy of the Democratic
party. At every general Convention Of
the party its principles are openly, clear,
y, and unrescrvedly asserted, asd its pol
icy declared. Its worst, most unserupu.
lous antagonist, cannot charge the Demo
cratic party, when in power, with having
acted false either to its affirmation of prin-
ciples or its declared policy. The party has
never lent itself to deception, duplicity, or
corruption in any manner whatsoever. II
has had no special arguments for special
communities. 1t has never been sectional
nor one thing in one section, and another
thing in another section-it is a broad,
open, liberal, universal party. It is never
ultra, never an extremist, never fanatical.
1t is not modern IN its faith; it does not
change with every popular breeze; it does
not bend to the widest gusts of popular
frenzy; it does not stoop to conquer. But
like a mighty river, it flows increasingly
on, dispensing blessings on either side,
coursing its accustomed channels, aud
steadfastly pushes, pushes on, until it re-
moves from its waters every temporary
obstruction which would impede or pre-
vent the harmonious progress of its ma
jestic volume, 1t IS the party which fos-
tiers industry, encourages commerce, adj
vanees civilization, promotes learning, and
seeks to realize the utmost glory to the
Republic, It protects the poor, and Sc
cures the possessions of all in peaceful,
happy enjoyment to them, 1t shelters
the weak from the expressions of the
strong, and guarantees to all the oomplet.
est measure of their rights. It ~dispenses
equal and exact justice to all, and never
closes its ears to the appeals of those who
deserve mercy, nor makes might the quail
iissyy of right. 1t is the party, the only
party, adapted for q free people in a free
land.
Contrast with it the doctrines or meas
ures or conduct of any party which ever
did oppose or now opposes it. They have
either gone to oblivion and decay, or are
In process of FINAL; irretrievable dissclu,
ton. The party now in power made its
declaration of principles first in 1856 and
changed them again 1860. In 1861 they
came into power, and before a year had
passed they had repudiated every cardi.
nal doctrine of their professed political
belief. Last year they again in National
lConvention proclaimed their party faith.
and already they have shamefully repudi.
lated and abandoned the chief articles Of
that protested faith. During their reign
of power ~stupendous and unparalleled cor
Eruption has oyerspread the land. A des
olating war has laid waste and barren al
most the whole of the most productive
portion of cur common country. Over
a million of valuable lives, of brethren
..J oo.n4-u,aan hare bocn wanfonlv sac