The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-10-13
THE DEMOCRACY.

Oue vi tue ueFiCeS duopteu ny Tue hepuDllcdn
party to seduce members of our party, and par
ticularly the young Democrats, to act with Them
is to represent to them that the Democracy is not
what it formerly was, or rather, that the Demo-
cratic party has abandoned the ground it for
merly occupied, and that the Republicans or
Aboitioniss now stand where the Democracy
formerly Stood Nothing could be more false
and erroneous. The Democratic party occupies
to-day the same ground it has always occupied,
In relation to the great principles that underlie
our system of government. In government
embracing so great variety of soil, climate oc-
equations and interest as ours, there must neces-
sarily be differences of opinion, and to insure
harmony, it follows that there must be conces-
sions. New questions win constantly arise, and
must necessarily be acted upon. In the details
of legislation necessary to meet the exigencies as
they arise, where every man is left free to think
for himself, there will always be honest differ
ences of opinion; but in regard to the great
principles of government and the end to be OBJ
tanned, the Democracy has always been consist
emit with principle and with ITSELF
The true object of all government is, or should
be, the welfare of the governed. The greatest
good to the greatest number, and the general
welfare and prosperity of the whole community,
are the objects for which the Democratic party
has labored, from the foundation of this govern.
ment, and are now laboring. To make the gov
eminent prosperous at home, respected abroad,
and Its subjects happy, contented and prosperous,
has ever been the aim of the Democracy. How
far they have been successful is sufficiently an
swered by referring to our nations history
Successfully and triumphanty did that party
carry the country through two wars. Our COM
merce, under its rule, whitened every sea our
nation was rich and prosperous, and our people
enjoyed the largest liberty; free press diffused
information upon every subject through all the
walks of life; wherever our flag foated, on land
or sea, it was respected, and all who could claim
its protection were safe from the tyranny of des-
pots. And for all this prosperity, happiness and
nationality Of character, we were indebted to the
Democratic national policy, and Democratic
legislation. Three-fourths of the time since the
organization Of the Federal government it has
been in the hands of the Democratic party
Every great measure that has ennobled us as
nation, every inch of territory which we have
acquired, and every legislative act for the ad-
vancement and prosperity of our people, has been
organized, sustained and consummated by the
Democratic party, assisted, it is true, of late
years. by many of the former members of the
old Wing party. This success of the Democra-
cy has been against the btterest opposition, since
the year eighteen hundred. 1t cannot but be
remembered by every intelligent man that since
that year every political party and every political
faction, by whatsoever name the same may have
been or is known, first made its assaults upon
the Democratic policy of the country. This is
one of the strong proofs of the truth of its princi
Piles, and the hold it has upon the affections Of
the people; and if we need more proof of its pu-
rity, itcan be found in the daily declarations of
iu opponents that they, too, are Democrats.
All Of US are aware that the counterfeiter never
wastes bis ink or spends his time upon doubt.
full or insolvent bank; hence this claim of Demo-
cracy. Well knowing that the principles of
that party underlie the foundation of this Re-
public, they make this claim for the purpose of
doing by fraud that which they cannot do by
straightforward course.
Then, for all that is glorious in our past his
tory, for the hope of our future prosperity, and
for the preservation of our institutions, the up-
holding of the Constitution and the safety of
our Union, we must look to the Democracy and
the triumph of Democratic principles.