The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1870-08-20
No. 9

in its administration, and to give vitality
once more to that essential principle of
liberty that the government is made for the
people, and not the people for the govern
ment. From Canada to the Gulf, from ocean
to ocean, all who wish to set limits to arbi-
trary power, to preserve the writ of habeas
corpus, and thus protect the personal liberty
of the citizen, to secure economy in the ad-
ministration of the government; all who
wish to restore harmony and brotherly love
to the American people; all who believe
that man may have fought for his native
South without forfeiting the rights Of citi-
zen, and without sinking below the level of
HottentOt-sll these must act with this
grand party, and with this alone. ANY man
who does this is nay brother, whether Whig
or Democrat, whether Northern or South
ern. whether Confederate or Federal, Wheth.
er American or foreigner, whether Israelite
or Christian, whether Roman Catholic or
Protestant. They are all alike citizens of
our country. They all have common in
terest in securing the blessings of just, an
economical and paternal government. If
they unite as band of patriots, they may
accomplish this result. If they divide their
overthrow is inevitable.
Some may say that they do not like the
name of Democrat; others may dislike the
name of Wings; others still may object to
being called Conservatives. For my own
part am no stickler about names go for
the substance. The Democratic party at
the close of the war, was the only existing
organization to which We could rally. The
old issues had all died by natural decay or
had been crushed by the rude hand of war.
But still the organization had life and yigOr.
It proposed to join forces with all who
wished to restore the government to its
original purity. By common consent we
all came together. It seemed necessary to
have q name. Many preferred to continue
the old name of Democracy; and confess
that now, if never before, there is q fitness
in that name. Democracy, in its modified
sense, as applied to large nation, means a
government which owes its power to the
people, and in which the people, through
their representatives, make the laws, as con-
tradistinguished from government which
exists Independent of the people.
This is precisely the difference now be.
tween the two contending parties. One is
for government which shall always and IL
every question be the master of the people
and the other is for q government which
shall recognize as true the language of our
State constitution 'that all po wer is inherent
in the people, and all free governments are
founded on their authority, and instituted
for their peace, safety and happiness"
I say, therefore, that the name of Demo
cracy is appropriate as mark to distinguish
this organization. To show, however, that
it is not wild, agarian crusade against Law
and order, and that its message is to pre-
serve and not destroy, it prefxes the word
Conservative, and becomes the Conservative
Democratic party of the United States.
Men may talk of third party, a new
party, or an old party revived; but the
scheme is utterly impracticable. Even if il
could be actually organized, it could moi
live through single campaign. It would
either be ground to powder between the up
lPer and neither Iaillstones; or, what il
worse, it would be engulphed in the mael
strOm of Radicalism. Every vote taken from
the Conservative Democratic ticket would b.
a vote given to its opponents. They know
this, and hence, instead of asking you open
ly to join their ranks, they merely enoour
age you to reestablish "the good old Whi,
Party" They know very we'll that Onl!
one step more will land you in their en-
braces, because when a man has got hall
way dOaCR hiLL, it is easier to 60 to th
bottom than to turn around and go q
again.
J Now, inasmuch as the attempt to set u
new party would simply be to insure tn
success of the radicals, would like to know
what there is in common between you aDc
{ them. What measure of public policy
, what feature of diplomacy; what question G
finance; what scheme Of social develop
, msnt what exhibition of fraternal love an
> Christian charity, challenges your admirs
2 ton, invites your approval or wins you
} love ? Your political opinions were forme
! from lessons taught by Winthrop and Wet
ster, by Fillmore and Hunt, by Sergear
3 and Clayton, by Riyes and Stuart, By Mar
E gum and Graham, by Sharkey and Prentis
+ by Bell and Foster and White, by Milto
j. Brown and Neil Brown and John G. Brown
q by Gentry and Henry and Carothers, an
e last but not least by Crittenden and Cla,
= and all their illustrate associates. Can yo
j who quaffed the crystal fountains of wisdo
s that flowed from such sources as these, stoC
5 and turn to the muddy streams 80 full