Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-11-21
aThe old Flag.u

+ 1t does not oIUen nappen that our kadl-
cal conteupory, at the cornerof Seventh and
Chestnut, says any thing we can approve of;
but occasionally It emits stray glimmer Of
truth which is really refreshing in the midst
of the thick darkness which usually pervades
its columns. The most notable instance of
this kind occurred in yesterdays Press, in
the following paragraph:
Let the warning be borne in mind by all
statesmen, that no great party, for any pur
pose Of expediency or personal profit, can
afford to sacrafce itself, and least of all to
part with the name to which it has steadily
adhered.
That it, exactly We could not have
said it better, if we had tried. 1t is whole
volume, in one brief and pointed sentence.
1t is a striking answer to thequestion which
the Radicals themselves are daily asking, in
reference to the present position of the great
Democratic party of the country. tits our
earnest and sincere reply to any inquiry that
may arise in regard to the future policy of
that time honored organization in whose be-
half we have faithfully and zealously labor
ed. M
We are not aware that any respectable
minority even of the Democratic party, now
propose to do whatthe Radicals are extreme
ly anxious should be done by the Democracy.
IF there are any in our ranks who are willing
to strip off their uniform because battle has
been lost, they are at liberty to doso, and
the sooner they do it the better. But we
opine that all such will not expect to be re-
cognized any longer in the Democratic fold
from which they have voluntarily strayed,
and we are certain that they viii speedily
take their proper place in the victorious col
umns of their old foes, to whom, doubtless,
they viii, IN time, become valuable allies. :
Should their new uniform feel uncomforta-
bic for while, it is none of our business
they selected the color and cut for them
selves, and let them wear it as best they can.
But if they imagine they can drag any con-
siderable number with them into the ranks
of the opposition, they are wofully mista-
ken. We speak advisedly. We know we
utter the plain and unmistakable sentiments
of the united Democracy of the Union-
The Democratic party is stronger to-day in
defeat, than it was before the late disaster
overlook it. The old flag, the old name, the
old principles, are deorer to its enthusiastic
million, than they erer acere before, and at no
prerious period of ats eventful history ,oas 4:
more determined to '.stand By its guns than
at the present hour, aehen The Uictors are er-
ultiing and the faint-hearted te,0 are Jalter-
ing.
Honestly entertaining these opinions we
distinctly and unequiyocally repudiate the
recent utterances of the Chicago Times and
the Boston Post, upon the questionpf negro
suffrage in connection with the future policy
of the Democratic party, having boldly and
increasingly opposed that doctrine, in every
shape and form, when the asraging,
we cannot now lower our flag andchange the
legend inscribed upon It's folds, when the
smoke of the battle has cleared away and
the fortunes of the day have been decided
against us. Our cause is the same to-day
that it was yesterday, and though defeat may
discourage the timid and time-serving, it
cannot alter the great principles which nery
ed the heart and strengthened the arm of
the Democracy in the disastrous struggle
from which they have just emerged. In
this position we shall have at least the re-
spect of every manly and honest foe, and,
whether victorious or defeated in after strug
giles, we viii have the satisfaction of know
ing that we neither helped to purchase VIC
tory By the abandonment of principle, nor
invited and deserved defeatby striking hands
with the common enemies of the Republic.
1t may, perhaps, be old-fashioned thus to
speak, but # instead Of tenporizing, yield-
ing to erpedieacsl, or sacrificing one jot or
title of ats ancient principles, the Democratic
party rensains true to ats old traditions and
shoes the bold fierce, aud aggressive spirit of
Its better days, the time IS not ctr distant ,ce
1t tcii once more be to the foe t0hdt 1t 1odS Of
yore, as terrible as an army ac5th banners. "
Philadelphia Age of 18th inst.
The Inventors Fate.