The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-08-06

The Strength of Democracy.
The reiteration by radical speakers and
Journals of theif belief in the decease of the
democratic party, supplies the most satistAc
tory proof they could give of q conNcnon
precisely the opposite. It is like 3 gazralens
witness denying all knowledge OF what it
troubles him beyond description to know; he
finds it necessary to keep repeating his de-
mails, for fear the truth will somewhere find
an opening TO show It's head. ~ : s'sa -
A solid vote of nearly two millions, and
within afew hundred thousand of the victor
ious psrty, argues no such sRsakness "a il
likely to lead to death. Or to put the case
more fairly, the change of q thousand votes
in one state, and ct less than Ten thcusand in
a state like New York, and of some eleven
thousand IN one like Pennsy Nania, will revo-
lutionize parties entirely. So that if actual
numbers are considered in the gross, or ma
jorities Of very limited size in certain states,
the prospect is good one for success to the
party whose death is thus statedly proclsim-
ed. 1t is piece of political jockeyism 70
resort to such stale devices. Were senator
Wilson half as much given 20 iuses Us
party calculations, he wouiu ieanze now
much beneath his position II Is 70 repeat
what is the betting style Of argument alone.
4 IS At ledSt q SuSb1CAOuS CnCumSsSsuCCf
when such voluble reinsurance is thought
From Minnesota to Maine, the evidences
are stronger than at any time since the close
of the war that democratic principles, pure
and unadulterated, are at work with a more
vigorous influence among the people than
ever. They have seen for themselves what
perils attend the shapeless theories of men
whose end is their own instead of theircoun-
try's. The professions of economy in pub
lie p administration, made with such
ostentation, they have discovered to
be but put pretexts for a
corrupt extravaganza which would consume
the resources of the richest nation ON earth.
The high-sounding and exclusive claims to
loyalty they find to be but a cover for prae-
ticing the worst abuses upon our republican
system of government. Instead of the pro-
motion of faternal feeling among the sec
tons, and the development of true union
sentiments, they are become satisfied that
the party IN power is led by men who were
disunionists from the beginning, and whose
highest capacity for craftsmanship consists
in sowing dissension and perpetuating dis
cord. 81 80 ..-
AT that most critical period in q nations
existence when all its resources demand a
steady development at the hands of undis-
turbed industry, when interstate trade and
commerce require the fostering conditions OF
peace and general good feeling, when the
burden of an enormous debt draws heavily
and extensively On the capacities Of will
ing people,-the discovery of selfish and cor
rupt motives in the dominant party, pro
claimed IN public practices which have no
parallel in its history and are indefensible al
any recognized bar of political propriety or
morality, has the effect to excite alienation
and distrust in the popular mind, and tc
turn it to the quest of sounder rules and
honester men for the administration of pub
lie affairs. The people have lost their faith
in pretenSions that culminate in ineapacity
and are resolved to discard professions
whose results require such laborions de
fence. The utmost of their desire Is, that
the lives they gave and the enormous sums
of money they are responsible for, in order
to make the buttresses of their Union frner
than ever, shall receive the profound respect
due to the sacrifices of so costly and gener.
Gus character. a4
The democratic principles, never more
thoroughly alive to the thoughts of the whole
people than now, rest upon the conception
of a government of order, justice, and law
Radicalism has shown itself ready to def
these, one and all. Democracy holds fas
by the rules of liberty, without which it i.
liable to be impressed into the service of the
widest license. While conservative in re
spect OF what pertains to the fundamentals
and pleged solemnly to observe these condi
tons which alone make republican system,
possible, democracy is likewise liberal and
progressive to the largest limit, lettering no
rational movements which promise greater
popular benefit, the ally of advancement and
reform for their own sake, counting the wild
est discussion and permitting the most Iber
al Interpretation, and of so enlarged an6
comprehensive vision as to take in the flu
ture of whole continent. 1t would not BE-
democracy, were it sectional and narrow.
The very iberaity of its spirit is the natura
result of the expansiveness of its ideas. 8
ANY time since thefwar ended, by relaxing
its faith in its simple but eternal principles
it might have crowded radicalism from it
seat. 1t might have borrowed the hollow
arts of its enemies, with the employment 0
which to overthrow them and seize power fol-
itself. But there has always been something
far dearer than power to its view. All mean
er considerations have not awaited to temp
it from it's devotion to constitutional liberty
That will Ind in history as its Hottest eulo
gy When combinations and usnrpation
suficed TO stihe its voice and palsy 1T
strength in the halls Of the national iegisla
ture, it will be recorded in its praise to ths
latest posterity that it stood firmly and con
sistently for union, for law and for justice
under the constitution. What other motiv
than that Of the purest patriotism could poss
ibly inspire party to remain SO true to prin
ciple? When everything else SCENE,
in "a wfiri of excitement, and the foundations
themselves appeared to be broken up, wha
but the profoundest convictions of right ant
truth could hold two millions of people to
gether, unreached by the aIlnrements of pc
htical bribery, or the acknowledged disci
pline ola party in the enjoyment of power
tits the life that resides in Democrat
principles which is certain to make itsel
visible again in public affairs. Though a
forms fall away and die, the vigor and virtu
OF that still survive. 1t is to work with erea
potency in the coming Presidential canvass
1t will search the professions of the men VIII
shout for liberty and loyalty, to know trul
of their meaning and their Sincerity 1t wi
question the ability of the ruling party to az
minister the vast interests of a nation
such magnitude. It win be found full
abreast with the advancement and growth {
the age, yet persistently attached to tt
sound and tried rules. according TO whic
they are alone secured. Domestic and 70
eign matters it viii address its attention t
with equal alertness, and 10 both it wi
bring aids of the widest KNOWLEDGE an
the wisest care. 1t will seek. through i
own methods, the countrys prosperity, NJ
that of q party merely. twill build up an
harmOOlye Il.