The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-12-27
The Democratic Party and the
Presidential Election.

We print letter addressed to us
for publication by Hon. Montgomery
Blair, and bespeak for it the atten-
tive consideration due to the sagaci'
", patriotism, long political expert
ence, and public zeal Of the distin-
guished writer. Judge Blair is q
strenuous advocate of the so-called
passive" or Missouri policy. The
arguments for Withdrawing theDem-
ocratic army to the rear, where it
will merely occupy the position OF a
reserve to be brought up at the last
moment and decide contest be-
tween two wings of the Republican
party, could not be more ably pre-
sented than they are in Mr.. Blair's
letter. But we must candidly ac-
knowledge that his arguments do not
remove onr doubts. With great def
erence, but entire frankness and can
do,. we proceed to state some OF the
grounds of our dissent.
Mr.. Blair thinks that the success
Of the passive policy" depends upon
its PROMPT adoption and IMMEDIATE
proclamation by the Democratic par
ty. In his estimation, it is the old
story of the skyline leaves. The
price will rise in proportion as the
volume is diminished by the whirline
away of scattered leaves in the winds.
In other words, Mr.. Blair thinks we
can never get the advantages of the
passive policy at SO cheap rate as
by accepting it without delay. We
quite agree with him that the passive
policy has no chance of success I'M
less the Democratic party proclaim it
at once, and irretrievably bind their
faith and honor to make no Presi-
dental nomination. But in our
opinion, an immediate pledge of this
kind is a political impossibility. The
Democratic masses are not prepared
to make such leap in the dark.
They do not believe it would be sue
cessful; and even if they were assur-
ed Of success, they are not willing to
achieve transient advantage at such
cost. They are strong in what is
called backbone" They cherish an
invinsible sentiment of. party pride
and political honor. If the vessel il
to go down, it will be with the party
flag still flying defanuy at the mast
So far as we are able to learn from
diligent inquiry and much inter.
course since the passive policy wa:
first preached, this is the prevailing
feeling of the Democratic masses.
The Democratic party, instructed
by a costly experience. is hearth,
willing to cut loose from dead issues
It will not insist on thrashing Owe
the old straw OF the constitutions
3 amendments. It will make no fur
: Their opposition to negro suffrage
!, No Democratic voice. not even Mr.
Pendletons, will again be raised 70
paying off the the national debt il
greenbacks. The party is in no dan
ger of repeating the fatal mistakes
made in 1868. It will hereafter ap
y pear in the arena as the champion O
progressive ideas and national reform
$ It has removed it's lights from til
;. stern of the ship and hung them o,
: the bow, and invites the co. operation
e of all friends of freedom and advo
e Gates of reform in shaping the grca
: issues OF the future. There is n
l. good reason why,a party thus reju
venated should make its will an
give farewell directions to its weer
ing friends. Instead Of a winding
r. sheet, it contemplates boxers gaun,
It lets and the unencumbering costum
:. OF an athlete. 1t will not skulk on
of the arena; and while expectin
p and prepared to take blows, it Ina
= also blows to give.
.r We agree with Mr.. Blair that til
1t Democratic party needs some re
'e cruits to make it AN effective majorit,
u But we agree with nobody who fea,
that, with liberal platform and pol
- nlar candidates, we cannot gain til
recruits We need without stalking a
g. our hopes on supposed internal di
m sensions in the Republican part
II It is great deal more difficult to d.
IN tach few Republican leaders than
Of multitude Of Republican voters. B,
l. it is only the voters that can enab
IS us to win the election. The leader
: are bound in letters of iron by the
"a past record, which they fancy The
40 cannot afford to contradict. But Il
he Republican masses, who have no il
terest but in tie low taxes and GOO