The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-11-29

The prestige OF tho Democratic party is
gone. and undoubtedly forever Nothing
now remains but a wreck Of this once great
and powerful organization. The late fall
elections have wiped out the last ray OF ex-
pirinc hope that had warmed its leaders in-
10 action and kept alive their hopes since
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destruction Of the hosts of Pharaoh when
pursuing the children Of Israel is a record
Of no greater lesson 20 the people than the
swallowing mp Of the Democratic party,
pursuing paths OF error, and opposing all
reforms, assuming the especial advocacy
ofiasutu,ions opposed to the consciences
ofall good men, and against which were
arrayed all men whose minds scared farther
onward IN tine scale OF being, aud thought
Of other things than the mere qualification
Of an innate lust Tor power and gain.
When this party was conducted on prin-
ciples believed TO be right by those who
moulded its platforms and carried on the
party machinery. il was powerful, and lis
public speakers swayed the minds al The
people as the wind the leaves in autumn
time When 10 espoused the cause Of s.l-
very and took the side of error in every
thing that agitated the public mind it be
gan t0crumble: and when III lastit threw lis
mana cement INTO Tie hands OF Tie open al
vOcates Of treason and rebellion and the
leaders OF m0bs, ant cave its influence in
favor Of those VINO sought the destruction
OF the government, as 10 did 10 1850 and
1851, from that time to this its history has
been but q record of . series OF defeats
casting out of its members from al places
Of trust full as clean as that which took
place among the money changers when
found desecratins the temple al Jerusalem,
and in some instances there might seem to
be something OF 4 similitude in the reasons
that induced or brought about The result.
There is nothing surprising in the down.
fall OF the Democratic party 20 those who
reason from analogy. In all history We
find that those who have opposed reforms,
who have taken sides against law and or
der, who have labored in opposition TO the
elevation OF mankind, have IN all instances
suffered defeat, and come TO ignominy and
shame in the end. History is full Of les
sous To the in guided men who have man
aged the affairs of the Democratic party
for few years past. Error may succeed
for a season. but Is as sure OF failure in the
long run rs that 4 JUST God rules and shapes
the destinies Of men.
The American people are people ofpro-
gress. They are the especial friends of ed
ucation and religion, and the energ 90 OF
the mightiest men Ia the land are couscrra-
ted TO the dissemination OF these unlefiy-
ing principles of all good and successful
governments throughout the length and
breadth OF our country. All things that
stand IN the way of the onward march of
these landmarks OF civilization must give
way and cr1mble and that party or sect
who stand up and advocate and sanction
such things are rs sure Of final destruction
as The poor misguided Hiudoo who throws
himself before the wheels OF the car OF jug
gernaut The great hope Of The salvation
aud perpetuIy Of the American Nation du-
ring the darkest hours Of the rebellion came
from belief among good men that it Yet
had q mission 20 fulfill, 10 labor on in tile
cause OF the elevation OF such portions OF
mankind as were grovelng in darkness
and sin. The nation has been saved, the
oondmen have been freed. and America has
taken long stride forward in the scale
Of true greatness.
Until the Democratic party assumes the
advocacy OF the principles which stimulated
the Fathers Of the Republic in the organiza- +
ton Of this government and which were
engrafted in the fundamental law, until is
leaders become men Of principle and ap-
peal 10 the manhood ofmeu instead OF their
depravity for votes. until they advocate
what men Of mind believe 10 De right in
stead Of what every man of whatever men
tai calibre knows 20 no wrong. its recune-
ration from its present condition 20 the
merest semblance of what il has been in
this Nation IS farther of in time than the
day when all men shall stand before the
great white throne above to be judged