The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-23
WHAT is THE USE OF A DEMOCRATIC
PARTY?
From. tue n. Y. Times.

From, tAe N. Y. Times.
John Quincy Adams, the ornamental candi-
date of the Massachusetts Democracy for
Governor, and G. L. Vallandigham, the leaGsr
of the Ohio Democracy, have both been try
ing their hands at constructing new plat
form for the Democratic party of the country
the first in letter to fellow Democrat in
Missouri, and the last in series of resolu-
tions submitted to an Ohio convention. 1t is
worthy of note that both these shining lights
of the new Democratic fai5h arrive a. sub
stantially the same conclusions, and erect
substantially the same PLATFORM; but ths most
striking shing about it IS that their new
platform amounts to a virtual surrender Of
the Dem oeratic party into the hands of the.
Republicans. In erecting such platform
these Democratic architects have evidently
''builded better than they knew, " and, if it is
to be adopted, their pasty might as well dis
perse into thin air. Listen to Mr.. Adams
THE Constitution was struck down by the assault
upon Sumter, as all constitutions must necessarily
fall before the face Of the supreme azbitrament OF
war. 1t can never be lif5ed up while war is agrant.
The people VIII never Essign the attitude OF hostile
vigilance, which is the real significance OF the pre-
sent administration, un1 they know that 40 one of
their war trophies is longer disputed. Then they
will gladly resume ths habits which they love and
the good nature which they repress. What then,
s the meaning OF the grotesque contortons Of those
Enthusiastically at this gnat? For she essence OF all
Democracy is equalty-nothiug but the equality OF
all men before the law. Equal and exact Justice TO
every man, and each to share In the government OF
all That is the ONLY genuine Democratic doctrine.
But who dares face an intelligent people with that
testimony upon his lips andsdenouDce a measure
which is too democratic for Democrats only because
the enfranchisea are black?"
Surely no Republican need ask for soundez
doctrine than that. Both Vallandigham and
Adams lay down, as the first plank in their
new platform, that the Democratic party shall
''aecept the situation" and abide in good
faith by the results of the war-all the amend
ments to the Constitution included. This is
all that the Republicans ask and, when this
is done, there will be really no important
points of difference between the two parties,
SO far as principles or measures are con-
cerned. Almost the only ground OF at
tack which the Democratic party has to-
day against their opponents arises out
Of measures that have been rendered ne
! cessary by the refusal of that party
to accept, in good faith, the issues settled by
| the war. AS Mr. Adams truly says -''The
people (not the Republican party) will never
resign the attitude of hostile Vigilan CO, which
is the real significance of the present admin
istration, until they know that no one of their
war trophies is longer disputed" When
the Democratic party shall convince the
people that it has no longer any design to
dispute these trophies, the people may con-
sent to accept the new platform-though it
is exceedingly doubtful whether they will
deem it necessary to drop the name of Re-
publicans and assume that of Democrats,
merely to accommodate these eleventh-hour
! converts.