Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-08-12
"Let us get Andrew Johnson"

NLtb us B0b hhuEcW SOuhsOhs
The Democracy must give up padding
in the shallow current Of expediency, and
take to the deep sea Of principle, If they
would recreate the ascendency of their
party. "Lot us get Andrew Johnson
is too frequent expression among Dem
ocrats. We say let US get upon a Demo-
cratic platform, without regard 10 indi-
viduals, whatever may be theif Influence
or position. Andrew Johnson's name
may be tower Of strength, but the doc
trines propounded by Thomas Jefferson
overtop that tower, and constitute the real
element Of Democratic supremacy. Many
things that Mr.. johnson has done, and
much that ho has uttered, is acceptable to
the party, but his executive action does
not come up to the standard of Democrat
c priciples. 1t is true that he had to
contend with very powerful organization
into whose meshes he was suddenly thrust
by the accident of his elevation. In view
of his surroundings and of the difficult
and delicate nature of his position, we can
forgive many errors, but we cannot per.
NIT them 10 be incorporated into the Dem
cratic creed. The first object is to Sc.
cure the confidence and cooperation oi
the masses, by the communication of true,
! and therefore popular, principles; and
aherward there will be no difficulty in the
, selection Of competent leader. a party
that dcpc nds upon the prestige OF name,
or upon the resources of an official, is
neither worthy Of success nor likely to
achieve it..
There has been enough of political
transcondentaliSm. The vague aud shift
ing theories cngonderod by CONFUSION, and
the doctrines forced upon partisan organ
ization to meot the emergencies of civil
strife, should now give place 10 well de-
fined principles, suitable to the normal
condition of republic. The old land
marks of the Democratic party arc now
the only safe guides OF the organization.
If Andrew johnson will re enter the tried
and beaten path that is the approved high
road to Democratic supremacy, we doubt
not that the party will give the standard
into bis hands. But he must follow the
party, not the party him. With the half
century's experience of the truth and val
ae of their principles, this is not the time
to lorsake them to secure the champion
ship Of any living man. Ii Mr., johnson
has not the strength of viii nor the 'inten-
sity Of purpose, to burst the trammels of
Black Republican discipline, and to be
independent of his surroundings, he is no
fit leader for the party that has ruled the
Republic for half hundred years. He
can safely rely upon the support of the
masses, standing squarely on Democrat.
ic platform he cannot rely upon the sup.
port of the Black Republicans, upon any
platform. There is too much of anti
Black Republcanism upon his record to
make him acceptable to them under any
circumstances. lie must choose whether
to sink between two stools or 10 sit firmly
and openly upon the one upon which is
inscribed the history Of his antcccdcnts.
There is no objection to the Democracy
getting Andrew johnson upon the Demo
cratic platform, but we protest against
Andrew johnson getting the Democracy
upon johnson platform.