Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-02-25
The Amendment and the Two Parties.

ALTHOUGH the adoption of the Fifteenth
Amendment formally completes the recon
struction of the Union, it is by no means,
as is hastily assumed by many eager
Democrats, also the end of the work of
the Republican party. Even if there
were no other reason for the continued
action of that party, it is enough that the
opposition propose no policy, and would
be sorely at loss If driven to declare their
principles. Since the war the Democratic
party has opposed reconstruction upon
theories and prejudices which the war
abolished, and it has no plan to meet the
situation inevitably produced by the
Fifteenth Amendment, which it denounces
as unconstitutional. 1t is styong party,
because fraud, ignorance, superstition, and
passion are its allies. 1t has gained GER
tain apparent successes, because of the
necessary reaction against party long in
power, because of some of the mistakes of
that party, and because of the unscrupu-
lousnees of the Democratic managers.
The great Democratic achievement since
the war is obtaining power in the State of
New York. But Governor Hoffman can
hardly believe that he was honestly elect
ed; nor would Mr. Sweeney, the New York
Dictator of his party, probably deny that
the State, honestly polled, is Republican.
In free government parties are not
only organizations to secure certain poll
cies-they are also representatives of GER
tain tendencies and principles in human
nature and society. 1t is very imperfect
and mistaken view, therefore, which does
not embrace both these facts. The Re-
publican party apparently began with the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and
first nominated candidate for the Presi-
dency in 1856. But the essential truth is,
that the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise plainly revealed to the people of
this country who honestly respected
liberty as the foundation of the govern
ment the real spirit, purpose and tendency
OF the Democratic party. The Wings
stupidity tried to evade the situation, and
when the thunder was already angrily
roaring, played that it was pleasant
weather. They instantly disappeared
amidst universal contempt; and the great
issue was at once joined. On the one
hand were those who believed in the
American principle, on the other those
who disbelieved. At the polls and in the
3 field the conflict has ragged until the pres
ent moment The believers have thus far
been successful; but the unbelievers do
not relinquish the struggle. Is this the
moment tor the victors to disband?
The spirit and tendency which the re-
peal of the Missouri Compromise revealed
in the country still exist They were or
gained in the Democratic party then,
and they are organized under the same
name now. The specific purpose is not
the same, but the spirit is unchanged. It
is a party whose last National Convention,
less than two years ago, was controlled by
the extreme South Carolina spirit, and
abjectly submitted, in the old way,
while rebel chiefs, still wet with the blood
of Union soldiers, dictated virtual repu.
diation of the national debt of the war
Overwhelmed at the polls, despite its
boldest frauds, it has resisted step by step
in Congress and in the State Legislatures
reconstruction upon equal rights; and
baffled in that wretched effort, it turns in
the moment of its final defeat and ex
claims, "The Republican party has full
filled its mission, and we must now be en-
trusted with powerl"
Upon what compulsion What con
ceiyable reason is there for supposing thai
the Democratic party, whose steady hos
tility to the principles of the war and the
policy of reconstruction is notorious, will
more wisely maintain that policy ant
those principles than the party who's,
strength lies in its honest adhesion Il
justice and freedom? Or why should tn,
country suppose that a.party the effects o
whose undisputed supremacy may b,
studied in the city of New York woult
give it more honest or a more orderl,
government? And if the party of slave
ry would be an ill-chosen defender of lib
erty, why should we expect government
of intelligence from the party of ipno
rance? The Democratic party is un
changed. What policy fatal to our inst
tutions may not count upon its support
Harper's Weekly.