The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-08-23
The Democracy.

. 4.
We copy the following sensible article
from the California Express. 1t will ap-
ply equally as well to other States as to
California: M R -
i'ssNo party, since the birth of the Ameri-
can Union, has been so vilifed, abused
and outraged by fanat:cal press, as the
Democratic party of the present era. Nor
has this been confined to the press, for
unfortunately almost the entire Republic
can party, seemed to have become so COM
pleteiy intoxicated with success, and i'm
preguated with the contagious spirit of
evil, that reason left its throne and mad
ness seized the hour. Democratic papers
have been scattered to the winds, tram
mels and chains have been placed upon
eonscience,g prescription for opinion has
been the order Of tho day; the minority
must think with the majority. Notwith-
standing these facts, facts as true as holy
writ, it is refreshing to see the gallant
spirits Of the Democratic party, who have
stood firmly to their posts, upholding
principle and battling against fallacy at
the cost of a pecaniary loss and in the
face of danger. 4 But what have these
people done? What heineus crime have
they committed that they should thus be
visited with persecution, as well as be
barkedi at by such cur-like institutions as
the Marysville Appeal and American
Flag, two papers that would make Cuffee
aewhite man, and white man less than
Cuffee? Have notthe De mocrats pointed
to the Constitution as the bible of their
political faith? Have they not revered
theslaws Of the land in which they live?
Have they not bowed submission to the
deerees Of the ballot-box? Have they
not paid their taxes and contributed to the
support of the National Administration,
conformed to the usages of the day, and
comported themselves as seemly as other
classes of citizens, aud certainly far more
eireumspectly than many of the elite OF
the shoddy contractors of Gothamf To
these queries, who can answer US? Ger
taiuly no one but some weak fanatic,
whose craziness overshadows his reason,
or some newspaper man who judges the
calibre Of his readers by the diminutive
character Of his own. Ourneigbbor may
say, Democrats were Disunionists, Seces-
sionists, Traitors. Where is the proof?
We defy any to point to a single Demo
cratic party record Of California advoca-
ting secession or countenancing it half as
strongly as did the Alta and Bulletin
(those now exceedingly loyal journals) at
the very opening of the Northern and
Southern difficulties True, the Democ-
racy opposed the war, but, In this, ,,they
simply sided with the man of giant intel
leet, whose motives orsincerity no Re-
publican editor dare callin question, Ste-
phen A. Douglas. who uphesitatingly pro-
nounced 'swar9 to be ssdisunion," and, as
consequence, the true Union men on the
side of peace In dotting down these
ideas, we think it well to say to the De-
moeraey of California, take nothing back
Of your past record, have no fears for the
future, stand to your organization, lean
closely to your friends, foster your news
papers, which have stood so Dobly in the
breach in the face of pecuniary tempta
ton on the one baud and threats of de.
struetion on the other, pity rather thar
condemn your enemies, and conscious oi
your innate honesty of purpose, rest as
sured the star Of Democracy will yet ride
gallantly and boldly to the ascendant
God speed the day!