Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-24
JOURNAL
The Democratic Flank Movement.

1nuTs0Ay. Inc NOTORIOUS NalianQignam
was the central figure and the master
mind. He Illuminated a platform con-
sisting of three whereases and eighteen
resolutions which was, of course, adopted
by the convention.
This new revelation Of the great DEM
ocratic apostle is too long for us to print
entire. 1t commences by inviting all
men of the Republican party, who be-
lieve as democrats believe, to come into
full fellowship with the "unterrified" up.
on the 'basis of perfect equality with
every member Of the Democratic party"
What unparalleled magnanimityi Be-
hold, even the grsat High Priest of mod
ern democracy invites you, Republicans,
into the democratic fold, under promise
of full communion and no questions ask
cd Yes, TO all of us down trodlen aud
despised Republicans, the great martyr
VaIlandinghan extends friendly band
and graciously offers to make us equal
with Bill Tw eed, Pete Sweeney. John
MOrrissey, JEFF. Davis, and other demo-
cratic models of political purity. Even
the valient Val. himself, whose loyalty is
uDquostionabIe because he never had any
to question, will admit to equal political
fellowship any and all who will forsake
their party and follow him.
Another resolution ''buries The past"
That is good move on the part of Val
landigham. If we had his political re-
cord of the past ten years our rest would
be broken till it was buried forty feet
under ground. But the trouble is it
won't stay buried. The inky wave of
Oblivion cannot conceal past deeds which
are thousand shades blacker than its
own waters. And the Democratic party
is precisely in the same boat with the no
torious author of this new platform as
far As the record business is concerned.
Then follows fourteen or fifteen reso
lutions containing, in the main, good Re
publican doctrine, barring thin coat of
democratic varnish. No one need 90
outside the republican organization to ad-
vocate the principles, or aid in the reforms
inscribed on three-fourths of the planks of
this hybrid platform.
In the eighteenth and last resolution
we are informed that the radical partv of
1871 is not the sO-called union party of
tae war, but had its birth with the inaug.
uration Of Grant and deserves the EN-
phatic condemnation of the people," We
hardly think the arch traitor is qualified
to decide this delicate question. If we
remember correctly he was showed
through the lines during the war, where
the atmosphere was more conclusive to
the procreation and development of trea.
son than it was to the study of the prin-
ciples of the Union party, aud where he
could ventiate his hatred Of the Union
10 the presence of rebel legions, sur
rounded by birds of his own feather
We belonged to the radical party during
the war. We belong to it now, and we
are not aware that our political conscience
is troubled BY the startling fact that the
Radical party of to day is not the Union
party of eight years ago. 1t Is sus,ept-
IDLE Of change. Great questions have
arisen. vital principles have been evolved,
and reforms instituted since then, in nc
cordsnce with the grand, progressive pol
icy Of the Republican party. Perhaps it
IS not the same party. What of ia
Certainly no sound republican will ex
change it for one around which fingers
the odOr of that execrabie copperhead,
VaIlandigham.
The radical party may have changed.
but the democratic party has not. 1t is
the same now as during the war. 1t
nanifests the same opposition TO reforms.
political and social. 1t is led by the
same men. both north aud south, whose
occupation then was TO further the rebel
cause by the pen and the sword TO the
extent OF their ability, and whose aim
now is to creep back into power by ex.
tending cordial invitation to republicans
to vote for democratic candidates on a
succotash platform. The great fault OF
the Democratic party is that it don't
change. Tue same men control its des-
tinies now as then. And SO long as
Brick Pomeroy, G. L. VaIIandigham and
their coadjutors are the expounders of
democratic doctrine just so long will the
head Of the democratic rooster be bowed
in defeat.