The union Democrat., 1866-11-17
Now and Then.


by the pen of the true historian, between the
men who now lord over the liberties and des-
tiny of the late republic and those, who pre-
ceded them at the helm of power, must prove
fatal to the former, while it cannot fail to
exalt the virtues of the latter on the scroll of
fame to niche higher than ever accorded
them by their eotemporaries.
When the democratic party held the ascen
dancy around our State and national council
boards, wise and wholesome legislation and
q faithful obedience to Constitutions followed
as a matter of course. That party, being
founded upon the immutahle principles of
righteousness, Justice and truth, have kept a
watchful providence over the nation that
barred out its foreign foes and wreathed the
land with happiness, peace and plenty.
But ever since abolitionism, like ' devil
in angel garb," entered our national Eden
and corrupted the pure minds Of our people.
leading them astray from the God of their
fathers and the paths in which they trod,
public indecency and official corruption, as
well as private recklessness and immortality
have grown like noxious weeds in fat soil
Constitutions are no longer reverenced by
those in authority-iniquity, lying and injus
tice are all esteemed fair play, if covered by
the mantle of loyalty. Truly it may be said
of US, in the language of the poet:
"These are dangerous days:
Virtue is choked with foul ambition,
And Charity chased hence by kancor's hand
Foul Subornaton is predominant,
And Equity III exile"
Let but the mind revert back a few years
to the time when the American Executiv,
Mansion was graced by the dignifed Polk
a man whose solid virtue the shot OF acci
dent nor dart of chance could neither graz,
nor pierce;" to the time when the Seuat
was grace by the presence of Calhoun, But
| ler, Webster, Benton, King, Marcy, &c.
when the House of Representatives thrille,
at the eloquence of Yancey, (whose virtu
Gus soul "abhorred the slime that sticks OF
filthy deed" when Rhett, Wright, Ste
phens, (not Thad. and host of pure minde,
men fairly represented an honest, virtuous
democratic constituency. Then turn from
the contemplation of those days, when, unde
Gods providence and the rule of righteou
public servants, the nation enjoyed peace
union and pro sperity. Come down to tn
present, and see what change has com
over us, from the Executive, down throng
the Senate, Representative and Judicia
branches of the Government. Can you ma RI
one OF the dominant faction whose escutcheoI
is clear and clean? Take the leaders, fo
example. The old, lecherous wretch, Thad
Stevens, leader of the House of Representa-
tives, with his negro wench for wife tn
cowardly Sumner-the profane black guar,
Wade-leaders of the Senate. The blood
thirsty Stanton, Of the Cabinet the corrup
and reckless profigate Chase. of the Supreme
Beneh-Greenback Chase whose " highe
law theories would cause him to make men
tai reservations when taking the oath of ofiic
to support the Constitution. These cut purse
Of the nation rule, who disgrace the place
once filled by statesmen, are the sources from
whence have flown that flood of evils which
threatens to engulf the nation in the vorte.
Of despair.
Any nation will groan and weep under tn,
b lrden of wicked rulers, "but when th,
righteous are in authority the people rejoice.
So has it been and now is with the American
people. They have exchanged the mil,
sceptre of democratic as,endancy for the iror
rod of abolition ianat:cism, and we are reap
ing the bitter fruits. HAMPDEN.