Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-07-01
OlYIPlA, SATURDAY MORNING, July /, 1871
"The New Departure"
at our risk.

We have been asked by several old
Democrats to define our position upon
what is very appropriately called the
"New Departure" or the Vallandig-
ham Platform" We most cheerfully
comply with this request, protesting at the
beginning against the name which is given
to this movement as utterly misrepresent-
ing its character. 1t is one of the devices
BY which our opponents have greatly
pro6ted, aud We have suffered proper.
tionately, and in which they have been
materially aided by the superficial and in
discreet politicians of our own party, to
characterize our propositions and meas
ures by names calculated to misreprcsent
and prejudice.
The platform which was suggested by
Mr.. Vallandigham, and which has been
adopted in substance by every Democratic
State Convention since held-including
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa and California
in no sense or expression is departure
from the fundamental principles Of De-
mocracy as declared and maintained from
the FIRST organization Of the party. The
only addition or Interpolation is a
pledge Of fidelity to the constitution as it
At present exists, seeking the redress Of
all wrongs only by lawful means. This is
the traditional policy Of the Democratic
party. It always yielded and demanded
o strict construction aud faithful adherence
TO the fundamental law, and cheerful sub.
mission to all lawful authority. 1t never
Uas party Of reputation, faithless pro,
fsssions, or broken pledges; never the
party Of usurpation, lawless resistance, or
higher law" This clause of the plat
form which has led to so much discussion,
Is As follows:
That denouncing the extraordinary means by
which they were brought about, we recognize
as accomplished facts the three amendments to
the Constitution recently declared adopted;
and the same as no longer political issues
before the country.
That is all there is Of it the party SIM
ply refuses to tramel itself with dead
weights, or play into the hands of their
sdversaries by fighting over again issues
practically settled, no matter how, but at
least determined beyond the hope of rever-
sal without thorough test of their practi.
cability. These measures were carried by
violence and fraud, but they have been
sanctioned by popular consent and legal
lied by the forms Of legislation. To con-
test that decision now before the same
tribunal, would be only demanding new
trial after the first judgment had been ex-
ecuted. 1t would jcopardize vital princi.
pies in contest over dead issues. That is
precisely what our adversaries desire us to
do. So long as they can keep the popular
nisd sadsr the impression that the Dem.
essatic party is laboring or designing to
reverse the results Of the war, they have
Ill the advantages of popular prejudice
and the prestige Of victory achieved by the
var in their favor.
But carping Democrats object that to
accept the results of the war is to concede
the ground to the Radicals, leaving no
principle at issue between the parties,
making the contest simply a struggle for
party domination. Nothing could be far.
ther from true statement of the case. By
accepting the situation, meeting our oppo-
Deuts upon their own selected ground, ad-
hitting the constitutional basis upon which
they stand, We give them no chance for
evasion. no opportunity of skulking behind
false issues. no pretext for violating their
pledges on the ground that tho results of
the var are in jeopardy; but will bring
out IN bold relief and sharp antagonism the
vital issues upon which the two parties
have been divided from the foundation of
The Government. 1t says to the Radicals,
10 accepting the amendments you have
made to the Constitution by fraud and vi.
oieDee, We propose to hold you to the