The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-01-12
future of the Democratic Party.

another column, entitled" Shall he
Democratic Party Die or Live ?" Some
weeks ago the telegraph gave US its es-
sence but it is of so extraordinary a
character that we deem it bsst to give il
entire.
The Times substantially contends that,
in order for the Democratic party to live,
it must do two things, viz:
l. Strike boldly cut upon a new line, so
that it viii cease to be hold-baek, or
conservative party, and become PRO,
gressive and aggressive party"
2. That the Democratic party must ad-
Tocate ''qnaliied negro suffrage"
We have no objection to urge against
the position that the Democratic party
should become progressive and aggres-
sive party; but We do most emphatically
enter our protest against the proposition
that it advocate negro suffrage, qualified
or otherwise.
We have always opposed negro suffrage,
We have done so, not because of hostility
to the negro, as is sometimes falsely
charged by our enemies, but becaass he
is Unfit, By nature aud education, to ex-
.ercise the elective franchise. Whoever
votes-whoever selects our rulers, and
thus virtually aids in making our laws
should possess en- amount of intelligence
and mental calibre which negroes, as a
race, do not possess, and which they never
viii possess. We oppose other races be-
sides the negro, in this thing, on the same
ground The Indian, the Kanaka, the
.Chinaman. are each and all unfit to make
laws for the American people. The An
glo-Saxon race is immeasurably and infin-
itely above and beyond all these races, in
telieetuaIly and physically-and in intel
hgenee and virtue there is no comparison.
We have always opposed negro suffrage
on principle. We have ever maintained
that it Is fundamentally wrong; and we
are now asked, by the Chicago Times, to
ignore principle and advocate what we
have always condemned, on the ground
of policy. The Times thinks it would be
a master-stroke of policy for the entire
Democratic party, throughout the Union,
now to throw up their hats and hurrah
for negro suffrage. It affects to believe
that, by so doing, it would save itself from
humiliation, preserve its own self-Fespect,
rid the country of the most Eexatious
question that ever distracted any country,
kill the worst political party that ever ex-
listed on the globe, and put the Union in
the way Of speedy restoration.
All this is a consummation most de-
Eoutly to be wished for by every Demo
,crat; but We do not agree with the Times
In Its conclusions. 1t says that the advo-
.cacy of negro suffrage by the Democratic
party would save it from humiliation !;
but we think that this would not only hu-
initiate, but degrade it. The Times says
it would rid the country of the most yexa-
tious question that ever distracted any
country; but We believe that it would do
no such thing. Adopt qualified negro
suffrage, and the abolitionists would not
be satisfied they want it to be universal.
Grant them this-let every negro in the
United States vote, and the same meddle-
some, fault-fnding, uneasy and deVilish
spirit which now actuates abolitionists,
would manifest itself In some other chan
mel. 1t is absolutely impossible for a
canting, pharisaical, puritanical, blHe-bel-
lied aboIltionist to cease his everlasting
intermeddlipg with the affairs of other
people. Settle the negro question, and
he will want to regulate the liquor traffic,
or chewing tobacco, OF swearing, or kiss
ing wife or children, by statutory enact
ments. His Unsuitable nav is never sat
isfed. Give him an inch and he will take
an ell. Settle one vexed question, and
twenty-fours will not elapse ere he will
raise another The trouble is, and has
been, not so much in the question in con-
4roversy, as in the nature and character OF
Its arch-agitatOrs. Malignant and devil
ish spirits will find some pretext for rails
ing a muss, no matter how well govern
mental affairs may be administered. 1t
was on this principle that Satan and his
hosts fought with Michael and his angels
ip heaven. Something did not please the
arch fend, although in elysian fields /;
there was something that needed fixing
mp, in his estimation; somc grievous
wrong to be redressed; and by ceaseless
agitation--by artfuI and sophistical ap-
peals-he at last produced revolt in
heaven. The abolitionists are of their
father, the devil; they do just like him.
Nothing will satisfy them. If our Gov
ernment were as pure and perfect as thai
Of heaven itself, some Garrison, or Wen.
dell Phillips, or Harriet Beccher Stowe.
ever restless, and frettirg. and stewing,
would pronounce it covenant with death
and league with hell !; and he would