Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-01-04
A National Democratic COnven.
HifiI tiOn.

EDrroRs STATESMAN THE most impor-
tant question the Convention of the 9Th
win have to pass upon is that relative to
National Convention. There is little need
of such an assemblage for the purpose OF
declaring the principles of the party. The
contest is between adherence to the Gov
ernment and destruction of the Govern
ment. Upon the election of 1868 hang the
destinies of the United States. The Radi-
cal party control large proportion of the
capital of the country. The leaders of that
party have so fully shown their reckless
disposition to disorganize and destroy, that
reasonable men can scarcely have conf
dence In their motives, much less their
policy. Those leaders who now control
the legislation of the Federal, and nearly
all the State Governments, disregard
alike the Constitution and the princi-
pies of the Government. No barrier
to their mad ends is respected by
them. They determine the rights OF Mem
hers of Congress to their seats by the meas
sure OF party strength. They denOunce
the Supreme Court unless it will become
their willing tool. They substitute party SUI
premacy for patriotism; their will for
the Constitution despotism for liberty
plunder for economy and anarchy for
Government. They have departed so far
from the Constitution and the interests of
the people that they know that when eX-
posed and understood, they will be regard
ed as political outlaws. Defeat Of their
L. l,aSr nnlifiaal HQQfh
thew have neither principle or virtue to
give hope of resurrection. Their situation
ought to lead us to apprehend their resort
to the most reckless and unprincipled
means to retain that power to which they
have been so faithless. But we are not left
to conjecture In this respect. The most
shameless falsehoods were resOrted to in
October last to secure the State elections.
They not only grossly and willfully mis-
represented the principles and purposes of
the Democratic party, but with equal
falsehood they denied the principles and
purposes of their own party. No Repub-
iican who believed the press and the
speakers of his party Endorsed by his vote
the principles or the acts fhis party, for he
was not permitted to believe the policy of
that party what it is. The people do not
approve the policy Of that party. Bring
out the contending policies fairly and
candIdlY, 50 that they will be understood
bv the people, and no State outside of
New England, unless it may be Iowa,
will defeat the Democratic party. A great
money influence will be exerted against the
Democrats in 1868. Much of that money is
untaxed, and may the better be applied to
election purposes. AS we have been
astounded at the legislation of these men,
40 will we be astounded at the means they
will use to carry the elections. These
means ought to be counteracted as far as
IJossible; Il is time to begin TO prepare to
defeat them-to save the Government. Are
not the times so unsettled and uncertain.
the danger to our liberties 30 great, that
there ought to be an annual National con-
suitation OF the Democratic party? We
want no amendment Of Constitutions, but
we want to save the Constitutions we have.
There is no special need of a formal declara-
tion OF principles, but there Is need Of close,
thorough Organization and concert Of
action. A convention could do very much
toward preparing the party for the great
conflict through which 10 must soon pass.
4 trust such convention will be held, and
that It will devote itself faithfully and solely
TO the great interests Of the country. Z &
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