The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-12-26
The Mission OF The Democratic
Party

The Mission OF The Democratic
Party.
He is not well instructed in the history Of
the United States who does not know the
political exigences. that caused the ferma
ION of the Democratic parry. and that its
mission was to preserve UniOn Of the
States, under the Constitutional cotnpact;
to restraiB the Government within the ex
press limits rreseribedSfor its .action, to prs-
serve to the States unittd, for specific ard
specified objects, all the rights, powers and
authority OF sovereign governments, not in
consistent or-in conflict with those they had
conceded or stipulated tq yiOIb Tor the gen.
ernl good.
For the-long period of sixty years the
party fnrnie4 on tlis basis, with sight in
tsirup.ians lnnt sufficient TO mi terially its
action. Administered the Governments. and
its n suit has now b~comc history.
Itnlay,; at least, he permitted to those
wha Believed IN the Dem icradic creed, Who
have adhered to its principles, and walked
confidently in its ways, aud have given their
voice and their suffrage to maintain it, ia
affirm that the mission of that great and
powerful Organization was honorably and
fairly fulfilled. and that there are few, very
few. points IN its career that can Justly cause
reproach, while its conduct marks truly
glorious epoch in the science of gool gov
ernment. ........ ...- ...
1t can never he denied or forgotten that
from 1910 to 1861, the Union so critically
formed, was maintained by gentleness and
concession in all its strength and beauty,
and became the admiration of all free and
enlightened men; that it never encroachcd
upon the rights of the States, which -four
ished and were multiplied beyond all prece-
dent or example That it acquired by ne
gotiation or purchase the vast territories
which were added to the Republic, and all
that have been acquired since the formation
of the Government; that it paid the public
debt and maintained the public credit in
violabiy; that it disburdened labor and prop
crty Of all taXation--excert small revenue
derived from customs, which was spent with
great economy; that it maintained our stan
dard Of value by recognizing specie as the
only constitutional currency that it c5tab-
lshed our National reputation abroad and
preserved peace, tranquility and perfect
security at home; that its Legislation was de-
lihcIate, wise and prudent, having always
for It's olject the general good, and the per-
pctuity of our institutions; that the la VS.
were faithfully executed, and never with
via lictivc severity or cruel animoSity; that
justice was administered inpartwlly and
w;thout corruption, and the ju licial charac-
ter rcvered AMI respected, and finally a
sound discriminating political morality ircul-
Gated as necessary to preserve the blessings
we enjoyed everywhere difFused through the
community.
1t may be that the mission of the party
that has left this impress upon the past
history Of our country is fulfilled, and it,
career now seems nearly closed, but if it is
SO, the union OF the States under the Con
stitution is destroyed, the rights of the
States have perished and neither lstice
NOR fraternity longer exist.
No one can pretend but that the party
now in power is the opposite, tie very an
tithesis in principles of government, in pol
icy, and in conduct, to the Democratic par
ty; that its method of uniting peoples is by
force, oppression and corrupt appliances,
and not by good will and torbearance; that
States are to be preserved by coercion, and
protected by military tribunals; that great
pubic debt is a subject Of glorifeation, es-
.ecIully when accompanied with an ire
deemable paper currency chat leaves no Ger.
tain standard of value, and that burden
some and oppressive taxation is the fna
end Of good government. 1t is truly par
ty of progress, and rejoices in its power t.
perpctuate the evils it has brought upon
once happy and united people.