The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1867-06-19
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.


That the resolutions adopted by the
Democratic State Convention, which
was held at Harrisburg on the lllh inst.
accurately reflect the principles and sen,
timents of the voters therein represented
will be freely admitted by all who have
read them and have jus. comprehen.
sion of what the Democratic party has
been for some years past, and still is
80 far the resolutions are deserving Of
commentator, which we bestow. The
deficiencies of the resolutions are those
OF the party. In them there is no appre>
citation OF the national situation as 1t
really exists, no generous glow at the
extension fliberty, but much grumbling
thereat ; no broad statement of genuine
Democratic doctrine, but much panier-
ing to ignorant passions and preudi,es,
that are rooted IN caste and pres mption:
no exultation that the rebellion was
aoashed and defeated, but disreputable
cavils at the means by which that end
was accomplished and no enthusiasm
over that fresh career Of enlarged free.
dom and prosperity upon which the ma.
tion has entered but dismal looking
back to the old times when Slavery
reared its proud front, dominated in the
national councils, and was worshiped
by recreanl democracy as the sublma
ton Of all political good Let us spec
fy., !
l. All those principles are reiterated
for which the rebel leaders copten,!euI
before they fairly struck ont INTO open
revolt The Democratic party. hy ma.
ny years OF the most il dusuinus propa.
ganism became so fully imbued with
those Ideas a. to suppose they were not
only Inherent in the Constitution. but
absolutely indispensable 10 the existence
OF a government duly ACKNOWLEDGING
and maintaining the rights Of the peo
pie.
2. All those principles which would
completely deliver the rebel States and
their inhabitants from pnnshments or
disabilities incurred by criminal particl
patton in TIE gigantic assault upon the
lite Of the nation 1t is one thing to in
culcate magnanimily towards PROSTATE
foe. 1t is quite another to insist that
public enemies, no mater how great
their offences, have done nothing to d.
mlnish their rights, or to justify the
adoption OF precautionary measures
against a repetition Of their proceedings
This eagerness by means of special
pleadings and legal technicaIities, t. hur
Ty the irsurrectlonary common wealths
back to their primitive rank and power
in the Union, aud with none of their
mischlevous dogmas disavowed, affords
perfect demonstration. if no other ex.
listed, OF the ultimate and censurable re.
lationship subsi-,lng between the north>
srn democrats and the southern rebels.
AS the democrats originally encouraged
their southern partizans to 60 into seces.
sion, promising them not only moral
support but physical help. SO now they
appear at the bar OF public opinion pro,
claiming that the conspilators have done
nothing which renders them amcnable
to discipline, hut stand with all their
rights unimpalred, and justly cballeug.
ing q recognition Of them.
8. The resolutions declare boldly
against the right OF suffrage, acquired by
the blacks as a natural corollory from
their emancipation and this is tanta,
ment to requiring that The boon shall be
taken from them Instead OF recog-
nizing, In an enlarged spirit of patriot-
ism, facts accomplished and destined to
remain, they seek to reanimate dead
dispute, ana perplex and distract the
country with it tor years 10 come. The
men who led the rebel armies who
periled their lives on hundreds of hoty
contested battle-fieds to make the rebel
hon success whose genius impaired
to it glory and rcnown that will make
it forever memorable in the traditions of
the nation and in the annals of the human
race evince much better temper and
disclose more truly loyal purpose. -
Having expended all the resources OF
their valor and art to make the rebellion
triumphant, and been thoroughly beaten,
they bow to fate, accept the Judgment of
the sword that they invoked, give no
countenance to factions and deceitfu eff.
forts to renew the past controversy. aud
seek to bind the notion together on the
new basis.
Some Democrats in Pennsylvania
have had reputation for political sngac-
ity, but they seem to have lost it. II,
however, they are willing to hang mill
stones about their necks and cast them
selves into the midst of the sea, on party
grounds, at lest, we are without cause
Of complaint, though on the higher
ground Of the national welfare, we might
wish they were less under the dominion
ofbaffled pride. Of distempered passions,
and mischievous ideas. uI..i
On State Questions the resolutions are
Silent Not word is said of a Consti.
tutional Convention of Freedom III
Railroad Building; OF any other mat
ss~ sc ,yh;ch ou ponpsvl,,c;ooa 49,.