The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-06-25
PRINCIPLE AND POLICY.

We quote the following from a Democratic
exchange
THE Democracy are laboring, and will con-
tinue to labor, to make the people thoroughly
acquainted with both the principles and policy
of it's party"
The policy OF the Democratic party Is "rule
or ruin" And this Is Its creed now and always.
To put this question in Its true light, let US
suppose that at any TINA during the war this
party had been in power, where would our
Union have been to-dayl Divided, broken up,
scattered. The American Republic disinte-
grated, and reduced to half dozen petty repub-
lies, which would have had no more influence
In the family OF nations than the little power
less nationilities of South America. For the
Democratic party to talk ofprinclple is tsnta-
mount TO Satan's preaching righteousness.
Take any time during the war, and where
stood the Pendletons, the Longs, the Nallan.
G.ghams, and the woodsi Against 1t every
wayj ready to prevent appropriations, the
Taisins of recruits, or the adoption of any
measures that looked TO the overthrow OF the
rebellion. These things were not done In a
conner; but the opposition Of the Democracy
to the prosecution OF the war was too notori-
"gs TO be kept out OF sight.
When the Democratic convention of 1864
IIct in Chicago and nominated Geo. b. Nc
CIclIan and Geo. IL. Pendleton, its prime ipal
resolution was, that the "war was failure"
whereas 1t was only Mcclellan himself who
was the failure.
Now this party talks about making the peo-
pie thoroughly acquainted with its principles
We opine that the people understand their
principles already. The Democratic party in
its leadership Is In harmony and sweet con-
cord with the worst forms OF secession. We
have no wish to charge large class OF the
rank and file with being uhpstriotic. They
are only misled and cheated by name,
and governed by their pref udices against what
is called radicalism, and also gainst the ne
Eroes. The name OF democracy has a charm,
but as exemplihed By the organization calling
itself Democratic, 1t Is a cheat. For such a
party TO set up the claim that 1t has principles
and policy which is commendable and which
free people can adopt, is not only ridiculous,
but such asserted claims are monstrous.
There Is not principle in the Democratic
creed that an Intelligent, honest man, who
will carefully reflect, can heartily adopt.
Many men attach themselves to the Demo-
cratic organization from prejudice, from pre-
conceived opinions, and from misunder-
standing OF the GHiRGi aad mischieyous ten
denotes of that party.
In dealing with great movements like that
which are set on foot by parties, we do not
propose to attack men individually or In the
aggregate. We know how easy it is to be mis-.
led, and to accept the shell for the substance.
Democracy, like Christianity, is taking
thingj but strange freaks are perpetrated In
the name OF each; freaks that surely do make
the angels weep.
There stands the Democratic party. Look
at i'll 1t opposed the war. 1t refused to aid
IN suppressing the rebellion, with, 1t Is true,
some very uncomfortable exceptions. 1t OPP
posed the proclamation of emancipation. 1t
opposed the enlistment of colored troops. 1t
sympathized with secession. 1t proclaimed
the war "a future" II went for receiving,
and st!ll goes for receiving rcd.handed rebels
into full fellowship in the Union. 1t opposed
and row opposes the principles Of rcconstruc.
ton which give the rule in the South to loyal
ncn only, and insists that unrepentsnt rebels
shall be promoted to the highest seats of power
in the land. These are some OF the principles
Of the Democracy, and this is its policy. We
shall help to make these things known.