The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1866-03-23
ANY Excuse is Better Than None.

Any Excuse is Better Than None.
Wesee by our exchanges that the reason es-
signed by the rabid Abolitionists, in many in
stances, for not attending the johnson meetings
is, that there are always large number Of Dem
ocrats in attendance. Of coarse it could not be
expected that the euogsts OF Ben. Butler, Charles
Sumner and others, would consent to commin-
gle with men who in political character and in
tegrity have, by the estimate of the public, been
placed high above them. This is natural, for
"birds of feather will flock together
But is there no other reason for their absence on
the occasions referred to above? We think that
one other reason governs them somewhat in the
premises, and that one the lust for power and
place. The main difficulty being the uncertain
ty of the strength of the Conservative and Radi-
cal parties. Now, these same men, or many of
them, once belonged to conservative party, but
found no difficulty in leaving it when the signs
of the times indicated the superior strength of
the radicals, forasmuch, then as we can only
Judge Of the future by the past and applying
this rule to that class of Republicans who stand
ttAOOi tohi tliooC gatherings Is
clear that whichever party gives the best proof of
the possession of the loaves and fishes, secures
their support. This is the case with all men
who hold the obligations Of party above the duties
of good citizens, and who look only to selfinter-
est, eschewing all other considerations. The Dem
ocratic party, We are proud to say is not made of
this material they have always been the first to
assault the enemies of the Constitution, and al
though sometimes defeated, they have never fail
ed to present bold front to every faction which
has arisen in this country, since tie organization
of the government; and in the doctrine enun-
ciated by the President in his veto message,
and in his policy of reconstruction, they re-
cognize the Democratic creed and hence sup
port it as the true policy of the country
They do not embrace this doctrine because it
Is the doctrine of Mr.. johnson, but because
the principles avowed by the President COM
mand the appreciation of their judgment, and
with which no act or doctrine of theirs has, at
any time conhcted. Unlike the abolition par
ty, who support only the man Or the measure
that helps them to power and place, without re-
gard to principles or good faith, the Democratic
party support all men when in the right and when
their measures look to the peace, happiness and
prosperity of the whole country but never fail
10 denounce and oppose every attempt to tram
pie upon the rights of the people, or to make in
novations upon the reserved rights of the States
So, when they endorsed the doctrine of the b.
reau Veto and Mr.. Johnson's reconstruction poll
10, l.. ~
their party, or to confer upon them or their
friends either Offices of trust or profit as con-
dition precedent, but they are tenacious of the
rights and liberties of the people and the per-
petualion Of this Union as it came from the hands
of the fathers. They believe not in making the
liberties OF the American people subservient to
the dogmas and doctrines and interests Of dis
honest and aspiring iacticn, who have for years
defied all laws mud constitutions, when either
stood in the way of its advancement They
want no great central power, around which the
States may revolve as so many little satellites,
but they demand one common family Of States,
equal in all things with none of their reserved
rights impaired.
On this basis they regard the Union as per-
petual, and the prosperity and happiness of this
people complete. Regarding the doctrine pr t
forth in the veto on the Freedmen's Bureau bill |
as tending to this end, the Democracy, all over
the country, endorsed il as part of their creed |
and as doctrine for which they had always
contended, no matter whether promulgated by
friend or foe. They are not so fettered or ham
pered by party drill and an anxiety for the 'hesh
potts." that they are unable to do even politi-
cal enemy justice, but accept the good ana reject
the bad, wherever found. The President, in |
this instance, has shown himself TO be above the
trammels Of party and his disregard for the raw
ings Of petty tyrants, and the threats Of a Rump
Congress. 1t is well that at this time, when rest
less and INSCRIPTIONS faction was grasping at
unlimited power, that the Presidential chair was
occupied by man Within nerve and moral cour-
age to step between the usurpers and the liber.
ties of the people.