The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1865-11-04
STATE RIGHTS DEMOCRAT.
PARTY MATTERS.

It must be apparent to every person
who is at all watehfal of the course of
events, that there is going on at this time
a material change in the political conduct
and the political views of a large portion
of the people throughout the whole cOun
try. So far, the change has not affected
the people of this coast, and particularly
the people of Oregon, 50 generally as it
has our eountrymen of the East. Yet
the change is apparent in Oregon and
he Who would ignore or disregard it,
would greatly fail in preparing himself to
fully and in~telligibly meet or act upon
the various paramount issues which viii
control the destiny of parties in the APP
preaching State, campaign.
Until within a few months party lines
have been so plainly marked that it was
impossible for any person to mistake or
confound them. They are not so at pres
emit. The advent to the Presidency of
Mr.. johnson was the initial point Of a
movement which has already in IT'S pro-
gress planted the sure seeds of the disin-
tegration and downfall of the party which
elevated him to power, and also so%n
tares and noxious weeds il the field of
Democracy. The hurriedly constructed
and lofily reared pagoda of Abolitionism,
which during Mr.. Lincoln's term of pow
er was elevated far beyond the healthy
atmosphere of pure Republicanism of the
Jefersonian stamp. into the regions of.
boundless stretch, has already been hat
tered to Its foundation, and but awaits
the final CONFUSION which shall cast it
crumbling to the earth. But with this
destroying element against Aboitionism,
there is partly linked another, which
threatens to shake and impair the great
temple of Democracy, which has hitherto,
amid all the assaults of old-time enemies,
under any and every guise, and through
the last Eve years of most terrible assail-
ment nobly and g~loriously withstood the
mighty shocks.
In recanting from Abolitionism, Mr..
johnson has taken halfway steps towards
few of the cardinal principles of the
Democratic party. IF any better or
purer reason for this course on his part
is apparent than hat of selfaggrandize-
ment, we are unable to discover it. He
is one Of those men who seem ever to be
possessed of an Unsuitable greed for Office
and power. A scrutiny into his whole
political career fails to bring to light a
single instance in which he has decided
orsaeted for his country rather than for
himself. Whatever in his whole public
life, on superficial view appears to be pa
triotic or statesmanlike, is discovered, on
close investigation, to be selfish and DEM
agogieal. If We examine into his official
conduct and recall his expressed senti-
the Democratic party down to the mo-
ment Of his Inauguration as Vice Presi-
dent, We shall find that no one of the
most violent and fanatical Radicals of the
Abolition party exceeded him in the
measure Of expressions put upon those
subject to his power, or in the extent OF
the shameless usurpasions of authority he
exercised, or in the expression of senti-
ments, in open antagonism to the spirit
of the Federal Constitution, which he
announced. A parallel there possibly
may be. but we challenge investigation
to produce a case of greater wrong thar
was contained in his notorious proclama
ton as Provisional Governor of Tennes
see, in respect to the elective franchise in
that State, during the last Fall cam,
paign.
But it is not necessary to go into al
investigation Of his past record to sdduet
reasons why Mr.. Johnson ought not t.
be accepted by the Democracy or recog
.nized as one of their honored leaders a
this time. His Official conduct since h.
has occupied the Presidential chair pre-
sents many and Ct N~clusive reasons which
should withhold FROM him the endorsement
and approval Of Democrats, and prohibi
them from his support. as q standard
bearer. They viii, in his case, as in tn.
case Of any other public officer, high o
low, or Of whatever political faith, sustain
him in all constitutional and proper acts
but this viii be because Of their own de
votion to the Constitution and the caus
of justice, and not on account of thei
ike or dislike for the individual who S,
administers in the lined his official duty
As President, Mr. johnson has usurpe,
the power to decide the status Of the re
beIlious States" in contrayeBtion Of tn,
Constitution; he has subjected the citi
zens of those States to expressions and
disabilities for which no warrant but alb
soiutism can be found; he has exercised
the authority to insist who shall and VIII,
shall not hold elective O6ces therein, des
Phe the votes of the people; he has II
ne loyal States as well as IN the ere
0eihOuso States, perpetuated and war.
ransed Military Commissions for the trial
and punishment Of persons whose offence.
IF really guilty Of any-came only with.
m the Jurisdiction of the civil authori.
0es, and he has permitted and sanctioned