The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1868-10-01


civil war Ito save the life of the nation. ~
History win record the fact as indisputable,
that this unnatural and fratricidal war, with
all its horrors, enormities and crimes, could
have been averted, if the party at the head
of the government had exercised a laudables
patriotism, rather than have consulted the
interests and sentiments of a sectional party.
Butunderthe supposition thatthe war wasin-
evitable, or even provoked by the exactions
ofsouthern politicians, or the impetuouspas-
sions of the southern people, still the war
ended four years ago. The object for which
it was inaugurated by the Republican party
was accomplished. Slavery was abolished.
The principle for which the South commended
was crushed out on the battle field. The
right of. secession, left undecided BY the
Constitution and yet advocated by the North
for years, and inculcated in the text books
of the national school, was extinguished;-
The South accepted both these results OF the
war. The common sentiment that filled tie
heart of the entire nation was for peace,
harmony and return to fraternal relation
ship and duty under the Constitution and
within the Union. How has the Republican
marty responded to this all pervading sentl-
ment? Instead of restoring the Constltu-
ton to its benefcient action, the old plea OF
political necessityis urged to Justify new IN
fractions of its plainest provisions. 1The
executive department ofthe government has
been shorn of the powers, secured to- 1t by
the Constitution; while the judiciary, intend
cd bv the trainers of the Constitution to be
the palladium of our civil liberty, has been
neutralized by Congress, and is menaced with
total dissolution. Instead of peace and har-
mony, the Republican party has introduced
new elements Of discord all over the coun-
try. BY wicked attempt to elevate the
former slave to political superiority over
the white race, it has engendered exaspera-
lions that are continually increasing; and
now menace war of races that will con-
yulse the land and drench it once more in
blood. ~ -s r
The war has left legacy of debt to pos
,erity for ages to come. Its burdens press
heavily upon all the great interests OF the
Taxation is crushing down the
abor of the country and introducing para
ysis and stagnation into every industrial
pursuit.. How has the Republican party
net the" emergency thus created b The
rational debt has been increased; taxation
las not been diminished, and the revenues,
from the toll and industry of the
people, are .squandered for the beneftof the
negro, or applied to the maintenance OF an
lrmy, whose only mission and occupation
yould seem to be. to hold the white race IN
ubiection; force negro suffrage on the ma
ion, and perpetuatea corrupt party in power
If such be the legitimate fruits of four
ears of peace under Republican rule, is it
wonderful that the public mind of the coan'
ry should be uneasy, and look to the future
With boding sense of coming evil-of adj
,ancing calamities which it may not be pos
ible to avert? asr.a
The Republican party has revealed its in
capacity to provide against the coming peril
is policy must rather hasten its advent
{ is in this critical conjuncture, that the
,ublic suffrage is claimed for the Democratic
,arty. +. It's past history shows. how perva-
ing is its spirit of conservation; how aptly
Is principle of action harmonizes with fdel-
ty to Constitutional obligations; how capa-
lie it is to meet the exigencies of the times
md lead the country back to the pathways
# peace and prosperity! Its success could
ndanger nothing that isnot already seriously
nenaced by the usurpations of the Republi-
an party. There would be hope in its trl-
Imph, inasmuch as any change, in the midst
# surrounding dangers and impending dis
sters, may be for the better. Herein is
implied and indicated the duty and obliga-
ion of every lover of that inheritance OF
Constitutional liberty bequeathed to US by
ur forefathers. ..,-r