The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1865-12-09
tfsosn ths baltimore Gasetts.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND
THE 1'REk1DENT.

Some of the Democratic Conventions
which lately met in tho Northern States
endorsed tho COURSE which the President
has pursued towards the South, and
lpledged TO him the support Of the Demo-
Ieratic party. Although that party has
taken no action in this State, tho Chair
man of The Democratic State Central
Committee has issued an address. in
which he speaks oi tho wisc and just
policy of concilintion which distinguishes
i the dealings Of President johnson with
! th0 Southern States" Several Of our
Northern cotcmporarics. aud among them
some of the Democratic journals which
clnng most icarlessly aud tenacionsly
/ throughout the war to the principles
which they had advocated at It's conf
Imencement, have protested etsonglyl
against the action of their State Gonvcn.
tions They say that the cordial endorse
nient by the latter Of Mr.. Johuson's pol
4 icy involves an abandonment OF every
principle that the Democratic party has
ever eontcnded for--that such . course
has beeu adopted at the instance of time
serving politicians who are ready to sac
riice truth aud consistency for power
d aud that, in an ill-timed effort to prupi-
tiate Mr.. johnson and secure his favor,
the Democratic party is likely to forfeit
its claim to the respect of the country aud
TO popular support. We most certainly
do regard the action of the Democratic
party AS, TO say the least Of il, premature
Mr.. johnson may hereafter shape his
lpolicy 10 \ nearer conformity with those
political tenets which the leaders Of the
Democratic party, few months since,
regarded rs cardinal articles Of their po-
lticsl creed but, in view of the present
position OF affairs, ii is difficult TO sec how
thorough and unrcscrved approval Of
his course is compatible with an adhcr-
ence to Democratic principles. In tone
aud temper, his speech to the deicgatiuu
of S0utherners which met him on Aion-
: day last was all that could be desired
While he did not speak very definitely in
regard to his future course, he protested
that he had no disposition to deal harshly
with the Southern pcople-that ho was
determined to take the Constitution as
his guide-that be was "opposed to con-
solidation or concentration of power" in
Washington, under whatever gnise or
name. aud that he believed the southern
people were determined to carry out in
Igood faith the pledge they have given to
subalit To the Federal laws For all this
Mr.. johnson deserves and will receive
recommendation ut the hands of all save the
radical faction, which is still endeavoring
to hinder the work OF pacifcation Ills
action, too. in Mississippi, Is significant
Inf st.f
further military interference with the
rights of the people Of tho Southern
States. In his communication to Gov
ernor Sharkey, authorizing the rcorgani-
zation of the militia, he has said that
= under the principles Of the great char
ter Of freedom handed down TO the peo-
pie by the founders Of the Republic, the
people must be trusted with their govern
ment" All this is encouraging, and
seems TO betoken brighter future. The
words Of the President are such as the
Democratic party might cordially endorse.
But until his views have assumed the
tangible form of a cIcav and consistent
: policy which accords with the principles
he has promulgated, it is too soon for that
party to give its unqualified appreciation
70 his course.
The war is over, the South is disarmed,
/ and the people of that section are willing
to abide, in good faith, by the surrender
they have made, and to, acquiesce in the
abolition of slavery. Mr.. johnson him
self is satisfied with the temper and spirit
they have maintained. According to the
!, principles of the Democratic party, the
; work Of reconstruction is easy enough
A Democratic Administration would
r probably, garrison the more important
points in the South, and withdraw the
soldiers who are in possession of Southern
towns and plantations. Itwould re-estab-
lish the Federal Courts, and enforce the
Federal laws, and would leave the people
of the several States to regulate their do
! mcstic affairs after the old republican
! fashion But how do matters stand to-
: day, both in the South and in the North !?
!, The Federal Government retains posses
, sion of property in the South which it
, originally appropriated on the ground that
its seizure was a military necessity. Civ
il officers are removed from or appointed
to Office by the military authorities. Elec-
tions have been conducted under the aus
h piees of Federal soldiers. Provisional
fGovernors are set up to rule over States
: by proclamation of the President News
! papers are suppressed by offended dener-
ais. Planters are ordered to employ GER
tain laborers by Government agents, who
also dictate the amount of wages they
; shall pay Government farms are being
; worked in Maryland on lands to schich the
! Government has acquired no title, and
!, from schich the .funsaftes Of the opners hare
: tcen drigea, pennitess, into the acOrtd
Provost Marshals arrest civilians in almost
! tall the Northern States, aud Military
. Courts try citizens not in the land or ma
! wal service. In brief, the country has
not yet been placed in such position by
. Mr. johnson policy that the Democratic
. party can, with any show Of consistency
: or truth, unreseryedly approve his course
: We are not unmindful of the many diff.
culties by which the President is sur.
rounded. It is elninently proper that the
Democratic party should recognize these
It and should hail with applause every occa.
e sion on which he surmounts them and
I. make one step towards restoring the SoutE
= those rights which all parties have de
= cIared she world he i1fsfiv enfitlnd fo 81