The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1870-09-24
The Democratic Party.

The Germantown Telegraph, paper
of strong Radical tendencies, in an arti-
Gle which speaks of the claims of the two
great parties of the country on the people
says:
"To the Democrats we owe the acqili-
sition III Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Ar
izona, California, and Nevada, AID the
final settlement of tho Oregon dispute,
and this alone, Notwithstanding all the
errors of that party, entitle it to respect
and continued support 1t also stood up
firmly for religious liberty in an era
when it was not popular to so, and when
sectarian bfgot1y had got into politics
and was sweeping the country like tor
nado. 1t also stood resolutely by the
rights of naturalized citizens under
great discouragements. These are prac-
tical services that will entitle the party
to respect"
Whereupon the Doylestown Democrat
comments as follows:
"This is frank and manly admission
by political adversary. He might have
cited many other great deeds Of the
Democratic party, but these are enough
to give it a strong hold ON the affections
and support of the people. From 1901 to
1851, a space of sixty years, with the ex-
ception Of an interval of few years, the
Democratic party controlled the desti-
nies of the country, and moulded The
workings of the country is the history Of
the party. The second war for indepen-
denc, that of 1sl2-l5, was Democratic
measure, which secured to American
commerce the freedom Of the seas. The
Telegraph forgets to tell its readers that
the Democratic party has always been as
strong an advocate of civil as we'll as re-
ligious liberty, and on this point it has
never undergone, and cannot undergo a
change. Constitutional government is
cherished by our grand old party as the
apple of its eye, and love for it will new
er be relinquished. For this reason the
Democratic party opposed, with great
unanimity, the SO called "reconstruc-
tom policy of tho Radicals. 1t was de-
structive of every principle of free gov
eminent, and reared military despotism
on the ruins Of civil liberty. The day is
livery distant -wiIon rue 1Sau1car poIlcy
toward the South will be execrated by
all men and all parties, and no states
man or politician will be found to do il
reverence.
"The main point which the Telegraph
urges against the Democratic party is
''its dreadful record on slavery" On
careful examination, in cool blood, that
"reeord' will not be found as ''dreadiul'
as many believe it to be. The Democra-
tic party was never a pro. slavery party,
as was and is charged against it. 1t was
in favor OF leaving the question of Afri-
can slavery where the Constitution left
it, with the States, which alone were au-
thorized to act on the subject. In the
formation of the Federal Constitu-
tion, the States refused to yield the
control of the slavery question to
the general government, wherefore our
party always opposed any interference
with it by Congress. New England
meddling with what was none Of her
business, brought on all trouble that
grew out of the slavery question
whereas, il the Democratic policy had
been adhered to, .he great civil war
would have been avoided, and slavery
gotten rid of without bloodshed. In spite
of all its shortcomings, the record of the
Democratic party is one to be proud of.
1-C0tunabia (Pd.) Herald.