The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-22

More than this, he was first elected to the
Senate by the Democrats of Massachusetts,,
among whom he had been born and bred.
During that memorable Senatorial struggle
he was brought out by the Democracy as their
candidate against the distinguished Whig
nominee, repeatedly received the vote of
every Democratic member of the Legislature,
which at that session happened to contain
large body of the most influential Democrats
in the State, was in the end triumphantly
elected in spite of the strenuous opposition
of the Wings, led by Daniel Webster, and his
success was soon followed by the dissolution
of the old Federal-Whig party, which had
ruled Massachusetts from the days of Wash
ington.
Mr. Sumner has on some great occasions
fought shoulder to shoulder with distin-
euished Democrats. In 1913 he affiliated
with the New York Barnburners in support
of Martin Van Buren, for the Presidency, and
carried a free lance in that famous struggle
by the side of Prince John of Lindenwald,
Dean Richmond, Samuel j. Tilden, Judge
Church, and other shining lights in the De-
mocratic armament
Mr.. Summers well-known catholicity OF
sentiment in regard to existing parties is no
more of an objection to his selection as the
Democratic candidate, in this transition state
of national politics, than was that of General
Jackson to his selection under like circum-
stances forty years ago. During the admins
tration of Mr.. Monroe, General Jackson,
who in his youth had leaned toward the
Federalists, and in his ripper years had quar-
relied with many of the leading Democrats
of the country, addressed two or three letters
to Monroe recommending an abandonment
of old party lines and reorganization of
the political elements of the time on q
broader basis of catholicity, and urging him
to signify his acceptance of this view of the
situation by appointing prominent Federal
lists to Office. So far from these doctrines
proving an obstacle to the subsequent nomi-
nation of General Jackson as the Democratic
candidate for the Presidency, they were
heralded by the Democrats themselves as
striking proof of the forecast of their nomi-
nee; and they turned out to be one of the
most popular and attractive elements of his
character during the exciting campaign of
! 1928, when Jackson, who could hardly be
called Democrat at all, defeated the coali-
ton of Adams and Clay, who had been
leaders of the Democratic party for twenty
| years.
This he accomplished by drawing around
| him in this contest the great mass of the De-
mocracy, and by rallying to his standard a
large share of its hereditary opponents
Having thus reorganized the party, he con-
solidated its ranks, made fair distribution
of patronage among his supporters regardless
of their political antecedents, marked out q
line of policy adapted to the new era on
which the country was then entering, and in
sured to the reconstructed Democracy long
lease of power.
What the Democratic party needed in the
days of Jackson they require now. Politics
are in transition state. Old party lines are
disappearing. And why should the De-
mocracy expose themselves to the perils of E
doubtful canvass, when by nominating Mr.
Sumner they may make the election per
fectly sure? We speak as to wise men ant
not to fools.