Middletown transcript., 1871-06-10
~ns msw DEnocaAr,c pLArrosn.

Last month. at Democratic county
convention in Ohio, Hon. Clement L.
vallandigham. fro,a the committee on
resolutions, reported new Democratic
departure platform, intended for tho
groundwork Of a national platform. The
resolutions which were prepared by Mr..
vsllandighnm, declare that the Democrats
unite upon tho living issues Of the day;
accept the legitimate results of the war, so
far as wsgcd for its os,cnsible purposes;
that they fully concur in the three several
amendments to the Constitution recently
adopted, aud acqucscc in the same ms no
longer issucs before the country, and de-
clare that the Democratic party pledges
itself to the faithful aud absolute execution
and enforcement, Of the Constitution as il
now Is, so as TO secure equal rights to all
persons. without distinction o. race, color
or condition; &c.
At the Ohio Democratic State conven-
ticn, held on the lst instant, resolutions
similar to those reported by Mr.. Vallan-
digham, were passed, and the Democrats
Of Penn .ylvania and Tennessee have fallen
into line, and made platforms to cores
pond, although in no ease were they uuan-
imously adopted. The Democratic press,
especially in Maryland, does not favor this
new departure, although some, such as
hc New York World, acquiescc in it.
While We would give to the negro pro-
lection under the law the same as white
people. VIC would withhold from him the
right Of voting aud participating in the af-
fairs Of government, and o her equality
rights delegated to him by the uncons,-
tutional acts Of Congress during the last
decade. The Democratic party have al
ways held these views and we don't un-
derstand this new departure. II certainly
does not expect to obtain votes by it, for
their successes in the recent elections are
attributable to tho vutcs of Republicans
who were oppos I'd to negro suffrage and
negro equality Now, if the Democrats
come out and endorse and pledge them
selves to enforce these amendments. which
brought about negro suffrage and negro
equality, and which were adopted by force
and not by the free viii Of the States, can
they expect these Republican, to vote with
them again ? We think not; for thev
might as we'll 60 where they were before.
as the negro question is the great division
limo between the two parties
Our views ON this departure from old
Democratic principles are well expressed
IN the following article from the Demo.
cratic Advocate. published at Wes,mn-
stsr. Nd.
The new Nallaniigham Platform is
aot only composed Of the wrong kind o,
timber for Democratic Platform, but il
has altogether Too much timber in it, rem
dcring it awkward aud unwieldly. One
plank would have been sufficient opposi.
zion 10 all that Radicaiisan has dom
through legislation.
II thnt should be deemed ambiguous
or not sufficiently explicit, i, might be
said That the. Democratic party will ac-
quiescc In all the amendments TO tho Con.
stitution which have been declared adopt
ed. until tho Supreme Court saall have
IN opportunity TO decide upon their valid,
ity. or until convention Of all the States
shall reject or ndopt them. That the
Union OF cocqual States shall be maintain.
Cd: that slavery shall be forcvc, abolish.
Cd, that only white men shall exercise
the elective frachisc: that no African OF
Asiatic shall be entitled to citizenship. nc.
cording to the decision Of the Supreme
Court Of the United States, but tla, the
person and property Of all shall be pro.
tccted under the mgis of our laws; thai
tho public deb, shall be paid; that tariff
for revenue only. should be levied; that
the most rigid economy in the public ex-
penditures should be prac,iced; thorough
rrform In the revenue, and in the civil
-sssviccs should be inangurated.
Upon such a platform the whole party
could stand united. and 60 forth conquer.
lug and 10 conquer. But upon tho Val
laudigham platform, NEVER. What
would be gained by a triumph upon such
platform ms Mr.. Vallandgham has at.
tempted 10 lay down? Nothing but the
Substitution Of one class Of Republicans
Gos smother. II there is suflic cnt mcri,
In the ''situn,ion" Of affairs brought about
Ag ~ Republican party. as to induce the
Tallsmdingiiam Democrats to ..ncccpt' i,
Why not disbasd their own organization
ssd 20 over to the Republicans in body
Why take tho trouble to organise another
paFty - basis 10 nearly similar. sI.c
lhe16 give the Radicals credit for bring
I. ia9 about the situation" which they nd
,sire 20 much as to accept" aud at ono,
ground their arms Of opposition. Rejec
iisa Of the vnllandigham hcrcsy viii
eosvs y ths shibboleth of puriGed party