Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-05-06

THANK YOUR ENEMIES.-A contempo-
rary shrewdly remarks that whenever Che
Republican party commits blunder the
Democratic party straightway marches off
and commits half dozen. Never was this
so curiously illustrated as on a recent oc-
casion. The Republicans had made mis-
step. At once the Democrats saw their
opportunity and fell to work. Jefferson
Davis comes out of his obscurity and de-
livers q public speech in view of n hoped
for Democratic national triumph, declaring
that he has abandoned none of his views or
opinions, that he will still continue to labor
for them, and has full belief in their sue
cess. Frank Blair reyivcs his declarations
against the validity of the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth amendments Of the national Con-
stitution, and we have Democratic paper
before us from Lexington, Kentucky, argu-
ing at length in support of his position, and
rejoicing that this bids fair to be the DEM
ocratic national platform in 1872. In South
Carolina the rebels have held q meeting in
Charleston, repudiatcd the payment of the
State taxes, and refused to recognize the
State bonds as valid. In Pennsylvania a
Democratic Senate refuses to agree to a
convention to revise the State Constitution
because it would recognize the Fifteenth
amendment as binding and abolish race
distinctions accordingly. Undisguised free
trade is trotted out now under Democratic
auspices, at the bare prospect Of chance
of the success of the party next year.
In factthat party has learned nothing by
adversely. During all the time it has been
in a'hopeless minority it has cherished the
same evil purposes, the same perverse and
reactionary propensities, the same hostility
TO the march Of free institutions, the same
undying negro-phobia, the same proclivty
to disintegration. 1t is fortunate, there
fore, that few Democratic successes should
have stimulated the party to exhibit its
real character. There have been Republi-
cans who iancied that, as all the old exist
ing questions were settled, the Democratic
party might possibly be used as an agency
for good in new directions. But it will be
seen by the declarations of men like Blair
formally Endorsed by respectable party
journals, that the party does not recognize
the old questions as settled at all, ard is
fully bent on reopening them. The strug
gle TO build up anew the power of the sep
arate States, ard weaken the national au
| thority, goes on steadily in Congress ant
in the columns of the Democratic press al
over the country.
This bold declaration Of sentiment ha
exercised very wholesome effect upon tb
Republicans generally. 1t has closed u
the ranks everywhere. Discussions ar
dying away. The st. Louis Democrat, g
recently absorbed in dividing and distract
ing the party, sinks all local and persona
considerations, and has become most ear
nest and efficient Republican organ, coun
selling unity and harmony. In Congress
the party has become solidly reunited, an
votes together in style that is exhilarat
ing. Upon Judge Kellcy's resolution rela
tive to taxation, and the passage of th
Kuklux or force bill, the demonstration wa
important and significant. The party ha
recognized that the old battle is to be Tough
over again. We shave scotched the snake
not killed it.n All we could wish is like
to come to pass. The rebel declarations c
Jefferson Davis, supplemented by the NOR
ingenious and plausible speeches of AleS
ander II. Stephens to the same end, an
the outspoken candor of Frank Blair, hav
already fixed the national policy of th
Democratic party for 1872, and those anu:
ing dreamers Of Democratic and Republ
can faith, who have been imagining sol
of hybrid ticket for President and Vic
? President-'a slice Of hHef cut with
hammy knife to give q = davor''-a Il
publican head on ae1 Y3tic body
live and patriotic brain ssfhe skull of
dead rebel--will have q happy time of i
''letting dare not wait upon l would.
Those who insisted on forcing discussion
, of an exciting character in Congress,
hopes ofmaking capital against the admin
istration and its party, have done us EN-
nent service without intending it. The
have afforded to the great national patr
, otic party the lesson that was require,
and increasing harmony in the ranks
f everywhere visible as the grand result.
n