Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-12-01
THE NECESSITY OF DEMOC-
 RACY.

Although tho great and time honored Democratic party has sustained defeat, it is not finally vanqnished, nor never cnn be, so long as itdraws support from those principles that have ever given it life and must remain in themselves inn perishable. Three fourths of the years that have made up the last three quar- ters of century have witnessed this party in power, and under its guidance the people have prospcred and the country been benefited. Upon this subject a cotemporary says: Every Democratic administration has either brought new blessings and honors to the people or it has not taken away or diminished those before enjoyed. On the contrary, every ti-Democratic ad- ministration has either brought with it no special good or it has brought evil. or at least evil has come with it. Such is the record of history. While the Democratic party has, when in possess sion of power, rendered the most inn
 
 also, when out of power, always exer- cised powerful restraining influence over other administrations, and thus continued to serve and benefit the country. It will, though once more slightly outnu mbered, continued to wield powerful influence for good. It is great, constitutional, Conserva- tive party. It is strictly national party. It is powerful from that fact. 1t is powerful from it's organization, from it's numbers and ability. It is powerful from the great principles on which it stands, and it is powerful by reason of its great services rendered the country in the past.
 The widest Radical in Congress- must act under some restraint in the presence of such a party, especially when he reflects that there may be some prudent men even in his own party who may not he willing to fol- low his lead too far.
 Ii is most fortunate for the country that the Democratic party, so often by Radicals pronounced dead and buried. is still mighty power in the land. If in the last eight years the Radicals have in the face of such a party dared to run into so many alarming extremes and commit so many wicked outrages. to what lengths may they not have proceeded had there been no such strong party vigorously contending for the right? And now at this time, the hope and the faith of tho patriot must be sustained by the fact that though the Radical party has after a desperate conflict obtained victory, the Democratic party is strong and uu- shaken. Itis still in the field, we'll or ganized and prepared for defense or attack"
 No greater curse could befall the country than the disbandment of this great party. In its principles just, and in its nature pure, it must exert a controlling influence even amidst de- feat. Only those parties that are evil in their tendency and unjust in their principles, are ever destroyed. Hence, our party though seemingly driven from the field is not conquered or weakened. Standing firmly on it's own wise principles, acting justly and prudently, carefully preserving its or ganization everywhere, it will be a stronger party in 1869 than in 1868. and stronger each year till 1872. when the people will call upon it to save the government and restore the prosperity and happiness of the people.