The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-03-14
The Proper Course.

The elections Of last fall, throughout
the Union, being over, from their results,
as whole, We may draw differences
which would have been unwarrantable if
deduced from the election in single
State. Thus, when California sounded
first the trumpet note Of victory, the en-
emies Of Democracy declared that its sue
cess was due 10 local issues--to the Chi.
nese question, and to the apathy Of the
Republican voters. But this position
was rendered untenable, and the asser
tions falsifcd, when one State after an
other followed her example, and wheeled
itself once more into the ranks of Dem
ocracy.
The wave of reaction has swept over
the land and every village and every
hamlet, under every diversity of local in
tercsts, and in every condition Of previ-
Gus political bias, has yielded similar re.
turns. In most cases there has been a
clear democratic victory, and in all 9th
crs there has been marked falling off
in the Radical vote.
Ii is but fair 10 presume that some
great national cause, operating violently
upon the feelings Of the whole communi.
ty, could alone have suficcd to produce
so complete a revulsion in the sentiments
Of the people Nor have We long to look
for such cause. We need but survey
the distressing situation Of the country,
to observe It's industrial interests. para
lyzed by excessive taxation, and prodig.
ious debt under which the nation groans,
and the frightful condition Of the South
ern States, which may we'll cause every
cheek to blanch with horror. and then TO
turn our eyes 10 the authors of these
calnmities.
II is evident that the defeat of the Re-
publican party was due TO their own cor.
ruption their treachery to the dearest
Interests Of the country. so long confded
to their care their reckless plunder of
the public treasury. of which they should
have been the watchful guardians their
deliberate overthrow Of the white race
IN the south, aad the elevation Of the ne
gro upon It's ruins aud finally their es-
pousiog issues which involve the degra-
dation Of every white man in the United
States.
In this view of the situation, we can.
not but regard the present as a critical
time for the Democratic party. The Ut.
most circumspection is necessary in max.
ing up the issues on which the great
Presidential campaign is to be fought
We should admit nothing into tho plat
form of the party that is not purely Dem.
oeratic, nor support any man who has
not tho clearest record. We should take
lesson from the fate Of our enemies
mark bu; their fall and that which ruined
them; and never for moment permit
the hope of securing votes, to betray Us
into the folly Of indorsing either men oI
measures of doubtful propriety.
On the other hand the Radicals should
be forced to come squarely up to tbs
mark, nor be allowed TO dodge the issue
They now hope, by supporting such neg
alive characters as Grant, to disguise
their real position This is entirely il
accordance with their accustomed du
plicity. But let the mask be torn off
that all may see their true color, and tina
color is black. Compel them to stanC
upon the platform which they have them
selves erected. Tell the people, wha
they themselves do know, that the de
signs of the Radicals point to the estab
lishment of negro equality in the North
and negro supremacy in the South.
Let this be done, let us have clea
Democratic platform ourselves, and thel
press home the guilt of our enemies, ant
with common prudence We may hope 70
success. Let US be fearless the peopl
are with us, and fortune favors the brava :
On the 4th of November, 1868, our ban
ner will float triumphantly in the breeze
while that Of our enemies will trail
where their principles have ever lain, il
the miro and dust. The names of thei
leaders will pass away, or if mentione,
again, will recall such visions as rise be
fore the mind on hearing the proscriptiv
names of Danton or Of Marat.-iSd
Francisco Examiner.