The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-12-22
The Elections.

over the results of the late elections. We
see nothing in them TO discourage the
Democratic party, as a party--nothing to
dampen the ardor of Notwithstanding
to induce them to give up their glorious
old organization. In the future their prin-
ciples must triumph. Although the re-
suits are notall the Radicals expected they
are sufficiently decisive in their favor to
render it certain that they are to havo full
control of the next Congress, and what fol
lows as surely, that the Union is to be
kept divided for an indefinite petroleum.
til after the next Presidential election GER
tainly. In these results, says the New
Hampshire Patriot, We sec the same re-
markable state Of affairs which has existed
in the Nortl during the last six years
The people Of the North are just about
equally divided upon the great questions
Of the day. There is no such prcpondcr-
ance in the votes Of either party as TO in
dicate any great and lasting majority. 1t
is one Of the most marvellous things in his
tory, says the Journal of Commerce, that
for so long a time, from election, TO cleo
ton, ia the midst ofthc cutmostcxcitcment.
through war and peace following war, the
votes of the immense governing popula-
ton Of the Northern States should remain
just about equally divided on the grandest
questions ever submitted TO the decision Of
a people. Here are lessons for the world
to learn il this state of affairs. There
are also Lessons for the country to learn
And that paper, always calm, temperate
and patriotic, proceeds to point out these
lessons % followsl
1t is plain enough that the majority of
the citizens Of the United States are op-
posed to the course taken by Congress,
and in favor of the POI cy Of the President
Half the people Of the North, and all the
people of the South, are agreed in this.
On the other hauAit il plain that the ni
nority Of the people, aud very decided
minority al that now rule aud viii contin-
ue to rule the country. 1t is not rule
Of tha majority under which the inhabi.
tants If the United States are to live.
Another fact is plain and ought TO be dis.
t!pctly recognized hencefarth. Neither
the Kepnblialn nor the Democratio party
is dead, 1t has been very otteH SAID that
the mission of the Republican party was
accomplished. Politicians have talked
about the disjecta mcmbra Of that party,
and imagined that new party could be
formed out Of the conservative portions Of
the old. The lesson of this week, is that
the Republican party is not dead, but is
firm, united and strong, and there is no
such thing rs conservatism in it. The Re-
publicans have steadily advanced as their
leaders directed or drove, and every Re-
publican votes the Radical ticket and sus-
tains the Radical party in Congress. The
exceptions are SO few that they are not
worth counting. We expressedt this opin-
ion some time ago, and the elections thus
far held confirm the view. There is no
visible revolution in politics Pho domi-
nant party holds together, just about
eaqaled BY the opposition, only holding
power by q very small Northern majority
and all its members are Radicals, prepar-
ed to support it in accomplishing Radical
measures:
The Democratic party Is no more dead
than the Republican: The fires Of afiic-
ton have only waFRed them and the
blows of successive defeats have only Wel-
dcd it into more compact mass. It polls
its huge vote, just as heretofore, gaining
some in one place, losing some in another,
but always the same old party. 1t is ar
rant nonsense, in the face of such an cleo
tions as this in Pennsylvania, where Mr.
Clymer polls one half the immense vote
Of the State-it is arrant nonsense, we say
for any man looking at such fact, to talk
of the Democratic party as dead. Both
parties live, botli arc dangerously long.
lived. IF either one of them were dead
and buried, it is probable that new party
would spring up and carry the country
But that cannot be. The elements of long
life are abundant in both organizations
AS it is the fate of the nation is to depend
on the future action of these two political
parties. They stand face to face, just
about even in numbers. They are hos
tile to each other. They are bent on di.
rectly opposite purposes. They are equal
ly determined in their claim of patriotism
IF the party in power attempt the revolu,
tionary measures which have been threat
ened the other party will unquestionably
stand by the Constitution and laws.
In view of this state of facts, it becomes
the duty of all men to look earnestly to
ward wise calm measures, such as will MOI
tend to excitement and collision. The pc
riod is dangerous. The country is in {
critical position, no less SO than it was in
1860. tits evident that Radical measures
have now all the support they can receive
from the people. The Radical najoritiei
will hardly ever be any more than now
It is a plain case of one half the people o.
the North against the other half. Let no
the majority venture too far in view o
such state. 1t wants but a few votes tt
| give all the power into other hands. L
wants but the execution of one threatmadt
by such men as Butler, to plunge us int
a contest, by the side Of which the late wa
lwould seem but child's play. z