The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-05
GALvAN1zrNG DEMOCRACY.
From the NJ Y. Times.

Ohl1N hANAIAANO DIIAlOOlNhCIs
From the NJ T. Times.
The proposition of few progressive lead
ers of the Democratic party to accept the
political results of the last decade, and to re-
organize upon the basis of wider issues is all
very we'll in theory, but, unfortunately for
themselves and the country, it is impossible
in practice The ancient dR6natS of the party
still controls it, and it is to-day as essentially
in antagonism to all that has been accom-
plished since 1860, as it was to all that had
been done previous to that year. There is
no question of this, and the very best evil
dence of it is to be found in the fact that
leaders and organs who have the courage to
counsel progress are at once denounced and
ostracized by the party. Independence of
thought or action is always sure to bring
those who exercise it to grief Democracy
will not tolerate it, and experience has almost
invariably shown that malcontents are either
speedily brought into subjection, or that they
ultimately drift away from the party alto
gether, as was the case with the Barn burners
and Free-soilers.
The old party has been through a trying
ordeal, which many have thought would
prove fatal to it. But it possesses large
share of obstinate assertion and vitality.
Like the Ultra-Tory party of England, it re-
sists all progress and refuses to accept any
new ideas or enter upon any new line of ac-
ton. 1t neither learns nor forgets During
the war it contended for its ancient doctrine
as steadily as ever, and was only beaten back
from it step by step and by unceasing effort
by the Republican party. The very moment
the war ended it resumed its old position,
and finally became the avowed champion of
obstruction and reversal of all progressive ad-
justment. People who cling to the traditions
of the Democratic party, and would fain reor-
ganize it on the basis of progress, are only
deceiving themselves to no purpose. 1t is
growing more and more evident every
day that new struggle is being organized
by the party, and particularly by the
Southern wing of it, which will settle the
complexion of the canvass Of 1872, and af-
ford justification of the Republican policy
of intrenching itself behind constitutional
defenses.
Leading papers in various parts of the
South are openly discussing the validity of
the several Constitutional amendments which
have been adopted since the Rebellion broke
out, and boldly assert their purpose of resist
ance to them. They declare that the issues
upon which the Democratic party was formed
are by no means obsolete, and that it is bad
policy to abandon the old organization, or to
make any new alliances. The Constitution,
they argue, is a dead letter, and the only
supreme law is the will of Congress. The
checks and balances adopted by the founders
of the Government for the preservation of
our political equilibrium are all destroyed,
according to their Interpretation, and the
only hope of restoring them is by the defeat
of the Republican party and the undoing of
all it's work for the past ten years. We be-
lieve that this is to be the attitude of the
Democratic party in the next national can
vass. The indications are conclusive to our
mind that the policy foreshadowed by Frank
Blair's Brodhead letter will be again adopted
and boldly adhered to.
We have little fear of the result of such a
contest, provided only the Republican party
will be true to itself and to its great trust.
The only danger is that the leaders will not
appreciate the impending crisis in time, and
conform to its requirements in the way of
preparation for resistance. The party must
be nationalized in policy and organization;
we must adopt broader action and effect a
fuller accomplishment of our principles. If
we do not-and that speedily-the result may
be disastrous. The interval of time for all
this is short, but if properly improved, it is
sufficient. The chief danger of delay lies in
the fact that it may be accepted as an indica-
| ton of weakness or incapacity, and this
should be carefully avoided. Meanwhile,
the responsibility rests with Congress. II
it acts vigorously and wisely, the contest
of 1872 may be substantially decided il
| advance.