Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-02-25
REFLECTIONS FOR THE HOUR.

possesion of the War Office.
REFLECTIONS FOR THE HOUR.
What is the duty of the Democratic party
in view of the approaching Presidential con-
test {? is question which every well-meaning
and sincere patriot OF that party shonid can
vass with the deepest solicitudc, and. decide
upon, irrespective of the party bias that may
form an element of his political composition.
Every wore, -eyery act, and every thought,
should be directed to the all important con-
sideration, victoTy,.lor liberty and the coasti-
tuition, IN their struggle with tyranny and
usrrpation. NJ Map should entertain the
idea for moment OF thrHsting in the Claims
of aspiring individuals, who are but the fos-
sis of dead issues of the past and whose po-
litical records might be made the rallying cry
of radicalism throughout the north and west.
The nomination ought to be an auxiliary
to the strength Of conservatism, and not de-
traction from it. Lining men for Ertng as
sues and let the dead remain buried nntil
fully restored popular sentiment shall cxhume
them from their quiet graves. For the pre-
sent, the Democratic party, in view OF the
critical condition of the. country, cannot al
ford to risk anything, Its duty is toe. solemn
its responsibility too great; liberty itself too
nearly equiposed with fragrant despotism.
The idgitious acts of the present Infamous
Congress, which have alienated thousands of
the radical party from its loathsome embrace,
have given to the Democracy powerful lever
for victory, if wisdom and judicious action
shall take the place of party animus. The
Presidential nomination, thea, should 'be such
as not to strain too intensely the normal in
clnations of the disaffected, By compelling
them to the opposite extreme, or forcing them
to remain the supporters of the radical pro-
gramme: The great issues which stand SO
boldly in relief, and challenge the sangdine
hosts to fiuree, and may be, bloody conflict,
are radical reconstruction and negro suPrema-
CT. These should be met with steel-clad
'front.' more irlPcryious than the conscience
of their ignoble originator: and every weapon
that can be used in the contest should be
whetted upon the grindstonc Of public indlg-
nation till their edges. are ready ,for the exe>
cutioner, Especially should the Democracy
guard against placinga weapon in the hands
Of the adversary by an ill-judged nomination
that will eventuatc. in our. discontinue. We
have certainly the inside track, as long as we
can compel radicalism to rely upon single
individual to save its principles. They fear
defeat if an individual do not support them !;
we fear defeat only if we support an indi-
vidual. They rely upon man to save their
principles; we rely upon principles to save
the man. BY their actions they acknowledge
weakness; by ours are indicated strength
Let US see what are the probabilities of
loss aud gain as applied to the two PARTIES
Tn this estimate we shall take the strongest
uic,g in the direction of the strongest smell,
and start the hell,bound train of radicalism
on the track to Washington with the serenity
electoral votes of the Southern States. That
they will have these, we think. there can be
no doubt We can expect no constitutional
phenomena from the mongrel conventions of
those States, by which white mems rights to
the control of the government they have
reared, will be at all regarded. Admitting
the above supposition to be true, it will seem
upon reflection, that in order~fo conserv-
alive party to elect President, they must
necessarily carry the three great States-New
York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, unless the
grand re-actionary movement which began
some months since has steadily and materially
increased. That that reaction, which cleo
trified the hearts of thousands, has not yet
ceased, wo have every reason to suppose
But hopes and suppositions should not be all
lowed to assume the garb of opinionated Ger
tainty, We should prepare for the worst
phase of affairs, whatever that may be. But
to proceed with our tabular superstition, as to
what may be gained. by a judicious nominal
ton on the part of the conservative party, or
lost by criminal folly. A fair and. impartial
survey of the field as it is now, we think will
lead to the conclusion that the States may be
set down nearly as follows:
sTA7Es. DEN. Rap. DorerrrL
Maine,
New Hampshire,