The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-29

was eNeIymheIe, The democratic party
took ground against the Government, and
belhon.
We are quite willing to concede that the
Democratic party sees its error now, and would
gladly retrieve it, 1t began to repent immedi-
ately after the war was closed, and tried to
change its ground. The resolutions adopted at
the Democratic State Convention last year we're
in the main sound and patriotic-sucR as com
manded the assent of Union men. But instead
OF acting with Union men, they clung to their
own organization and strove resolutety to per-
peluate thelr party power. At Philadelphia
they went step further, and while accepting a
declaration OF principles in substantial harmony
with the action of the Union party during the
war, proiessed a Willingness to lay aside all
party projects and join, under new auspices and
new organization, with men of all parties to
carry those principles into practical effect But
no sooner did the State Convention meet than
the old party flag was run. up, the old party
leaders took command, and the old craft, with
all sail set, made straight TOR the old Demo-
cratic port. The Convention had not thought
beyond party success and the plunder to be thus
The people understand this game and intend
to block IT, They do not mean TO replace the
Democratic party in power. They will not re-
ward 1t Tor its dsloyalty, nor will they trust it
with interests to which in the past it has proved
SO taithless; 1t is with them not a question OF
argument, but of confidence. They care nothing
tor Democratic resolutions. speeches profess
sions, or promses-they will not trust the De-
moCratiC party.
The Word objects to an impeachment of the
professions, spirit, and temper Of the Democratic
party. But IN what single instance has that
party made Itself the champion ofany great re-
form? When has 1t favored measures for purl-
lying society OF its eylls-for remedylng great
and flagrant wrongs-for educating assisting
and elevating the ignorant, the poor and che
degraded For long series of years the Demo-
cratic party has mad absolute and undisputed
this CitV. in what homo
or institutions do we find the monument of its
regard tor the morals, the manners or the peace
and good order of this great community What
has 1t done 10 protect society against drunken
ness, prohlgacy, crime, vice, and misery in
every tOrm?
Is it not notorious that every effort made by
those most solicitOus Tor the public welfare for
the suppression OF vice and lmmorallty meets
us most formidable foe in the Democratic party {?
Ihe city struggled for years against that party
TO secure decent police department. 1t was in
the teeth OF its most strenuous hostility that we
secured a commission to protect newly landed
emigrants trom wholesale robbery, and al the
present time the Democratic party is putting
tolth all ITS energies to break down the Health
Board and the Excise Commission, by which
alone we have any hope of protecting the COM
mUnity against the most fearful evils, physical
and moral, by which great societies are ever
afflicted.
We certa My do not msstate the case when
we LAY that the Democratic party in its orpa-
nized political action, IS the inveterate foe OF
all moral and social progress and elevation. 1t
seeks always to use the vices of men, not to
cure them. 1t panders to the worst aDpetltes
and passions, because il can make them minis
ter to its advantage. And in its political ac lion,
its impulses have been equally alien to the
spirit OF freedom. Its temper towards the
colored race has always been narrow, ilhberal
and Cruel-in sympathy with their oDpressors
never with those who have SOUGHT their eIe,
Vation and advancement In word, the Demo-
cratic party has never sought anything higher
or better than its own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. II mas
never YIELDED to the impulses OF philanthropy,
which, however mistaken they NAV sometimes
be, are always pObler than calculations of sell
hsh advantage, as springs and motives OF public
action.
spirit and temper of the age II has lost the
confidence OF the intelligent, philosophical,
aspiring loyalty, of the nation. And SO long as
II clDgs TO its old organization and its Old ira
ditIons, it will find that this confidence can
never be regaintd.