Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-07-25
ssThe Situation"

this question, when the Clinton Democrat
was handed to us, and in which we found
lengthy article SO applicable to our mind's
eye, and so well suited to the condition OF our
country, that we feel confident that we can
write nothing better Therefore, we adopt
portion of the article, and endorse every
word of it. We want every Democrat to
read it, and especially these who are dlspos-
ed to forget the days of inquisition and mil
itary rule; those, if any there are, who are
willing to stoop to the insolence and etfront-
cry of the menials who licked at the feet of
power. Let those who did the dirty work of
Lincoln administration for pay and popu-
larity,-let these, who in those days made
civil liberty mockery,--who surrendered
the noblest instincts of the human heart
who sacrificed their manhood, who offered
bribe for perjury, who passed the SEN
tence of death upon Democrats because
they would not become their accomplices in
plunder and crime,-let those slaves of des-
pots, be treated with the contempt that
clung to the tools of the elder Adams. Its
the only hope for the Democracy to restore
free government The Democratic party
gained strength then, from the ranks of the
Radicals; it can gain it now, by the same
course, which time has proved to be wise
one We believe that the following will be
people:
"We believe the principles of Democracy
are right and just, and believing this, We
support and sustain them we believe they
were right In 1887, We as firmly believe they
are right in 1866. If they are not princi-
pies, if they are not right, if we know them
to be unjust to the people and dangerous to
the peace and happiness of the country,
then we are dishonest in upholding and sup
porting them. We not only do wrong our
selves but we commit fraud upon the peo-
pie by attempting to deceive them, But if
these principles are right, if we believe they
are just and best calculated to produce pub
lie good, then we are dishonest if we know
ingly desert them or fail to give them a
hearty support. If Democracy was prin-
ciple which bound the hearts of 276,O00
white freemen together in 1864. it is prin-
ciple which should bind them more firmly in
1866. We venture to say that no Democrat
in Pennsylvania doubts even for a moment
but that his course was not only right but
emlnently just IN the great struggle of 1864,
then why should we remove our integrity
now. 1t we endured the hardships, perse-
cutions and sutferings of the past FIVE years,
because we believed in the business of our
cause, why should we now surrender our
principles, insult our history and tacitly ad-
init that we were dishonest in the profess
sions we made? During the storms of ty-
ranny and mal-adminlstratiOn which have
so recently swept over the American CONT
nent visiting their prey upon innocent and
defenceless Democrats, imprisoning them
without cause and depriving them of the
plain written securities and guarantees of
the Constitution, we endured the infections
of these wrongs because our faith was strong
and the principles we advocated the honest
convictions of duty. Shall we now admit
that these fragrant violations of the Consti-
tuition were right, and like cringing spaniels
lick the hand that inflicted the injuries
Shall we say to the world that our courage
and bravery during this reign of terror was
pretended deception, that our professions
were false our principles dishonest? No,
by the living GOd the memories of our fel-
low comrades whose lives were sacrificed in
lcathsome prisons, who were exposed to all
the sufferings which the Inalignity of Stan
ton or the treachery of Seward could iniict,
shall not be forgotten; and as we read and
reflect upon such cold-hearted inhumanity,
such bloody cruelty, we renew the pledge
we then made, that we can have no fellowship
with such as these. We can not be Demo
Gratis and believe in the faith which Stanton
and Seward have professed and practiced.
We believe the government can best be
in accordance with the princi-
pies of Democracy We believed it in 1861
62-63 and Ga, we believe it still We shall
not relax our faith or depart from the doc
trines Of the past. If We were traitors in
1864 for entertaining such doctrines we are
traitors now; if we were patriots then we
are patriots now; if we were right then we
are right now.
What is the doctrine of the Democratic
party? 1t is simply this, that the govern
ment of the United States shall be admins
provisions of the Constitution Then the
agreement made between the several States
shall be the law which the parties them
selves agreed to be bound by. Who dis
putes this? The Radicals say that the gov
ernment shall be administered and the people |
governed according to the laws which Con-
gress may dictate; that the Constitution is
only binding upon certain persons. The issue
Is fairly made up between the two parties |
President johnson thinks the Democrats |
arc about half right, but he don't ike to say
so, and he therefore says he is getting right, |
we hope he may become altogether right, !
and think there is some chance if he begins |
to purge his Cabinet in time Still we can
do no more than to sustain johnson when
he is right, we cannot make him leader in |
our party, we have no bargains to make with |
him, no concessions to offer and no apologies |
to make; we contend that the Democracy
is right and that it should be supported by |
all honorable men because it is right. We |
have nothing to give johnson as a consider |
alton for his supporting our party unless it is
a surrender of our principles and organiza-
ton and we are confident that Stanton would |
object to these Mr. President we profess |
to be honest in our devotlons to party we |
our principles. The record is made up and |
you can choose this day whom YOU will |
serve" IF we are right come out boldly |
and assist us without consideration, if we |
are wrong it is your duty to defeat us, if you |
can.