The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-09-01
rs Downfall of Democracy.

The Downfall OF Democracy
z The war CandS Subsequent events have
wholly destroyed old party lines. There is
now but one party in the country whichean
properly be Termed . snationals party the
Republican. No other has sufficient strength
to be more than sectional organization,
kept up for sectional purposes.
The Democratic party has no power, and
no national organization. So far as being
able to again carry the country is concerned,
it is dead. This fact is fully recognised in
: the South. It. is also. recognised in many
parts of the North.
Its course during the war was its death
warrant. 1t has been said by an eminent
writer that, when any, political party be-
comes associated in the minds of the people
with opposition to successful wal, orof being
wanting in the hour of danger, it must go
down. -gago9 10 leua 9. -5se !ic gd
The history of our country fully demon
strates the truth of the above proposition.
The Federalist party, from its course in
time of war, became odious to the people
and died. s- 1861 fT44lu .tonn}-o1I'
The Wing party did the same thing and
met the same fate. 4,,E "a I,i- !,
The Democratic party has committed the
objectionable sin and it is dying f.Ga'
There is now no Democratic party in the
South. As far as power is concern
ed it is as dead as if it had never
existed. Those who fought the last cam
paign under the name of Democrats, were
not Democrats. Eight-tenths of the leaders
were formerly members of the Wing party.
They had no platform, no political sympa-
thies, no doctrines to which Wings and Dem
orats could subscribe in common. Nor did
they pretend to have. in 5Ii .i'os d. .,
Their union was a union of hate. Their
discorlant elements were united, not by
similarity of principle, but by hatred OF
the dominant party and of the government.
They were like weak bands of Indians,
who, although unfriendly to each other,
unite to overcome convoy too strong for
single tribe to attack, and when their object
is gained, and the common foe defeated,
fight each other for the spoils. NJ
If the so-called Democracy had been tri.
umphant, its discordant elements would
have quarrelled among themselves the
moment their triumph was assured. II
was whipped, and is now disuniting
because there is no longer common
| object to be Immediately gained. 't- 80
The cry of the malcontents now is, "Give
us new party" and the cry is repeated by
the sham-D Democratic press. r
Nothing could more plainly show the
strength of the Republican party than the
desperate cries Of the opposition for new
party. They do not care what may be the
name or platform of the new concern; al
they want is an organization of sufficien,
strength to oppose the victorious Republic
cans. a
According to their own confessions De
mocracy is dead forever in the South.
In the North the work of disintegratior
goes on so rapidly that the Northern De
mocracy feels that it is doomed. 1t ha.
become od;ous to the people because of it!
treachery, and cannot longer sustain itself
| As tine rolls on and distance lends en-
chantment to the view" the side issues o
the time win be forgotten, and soon to hav'
been opposed to the prosecution of the wa
will, in the minds Of the people, be an un
pardonable crime. Evey year that passe
adds lustre to the war, honor to those who
fought in it, and opprobrium to those whit
opposed it. The truth of the above i
already visible. g
| The Democracy is already repudiated b!
the Northern people. 1t can never regain it
lost ground, but on the contrary each yea
will add to its weakness, until from fac
ton it will be nothing. .
This is evident to the Democratic leader
in the North, and they too are looking W
new principles upon which to form new
party.
/ In the meantime the Republican party
grows stronger each day. Its strength in
creases in the same ratio as that of its op
ponents grows less. 1t now controls thu
country, and will continue to do so as long
as it continues to fight its battles upon ma
tional principles, and for the prosperity o.
the people. la a