Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-07-22
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING. July ., 1871
Sensible Conclusion.

Inc W ala W ala statesman, which ~
first expressed great dissatisfaction with
the Ohio resolutions, has come to the fol-
lowing sensible conclusion:
"This is a question which Democratic pa
pcrs should discuss fairly, without resort.ng to
vtnperation and abuse. In all the convcn-
tions that have been held within the last month
the new departure" pledge has been adopted
with great unaEimity, and TO all appearance it
is destined to become plank in the national
platform. For Democrats to quarrel over it
now, and swallow it a lew months later, is only
to call down ridicue, and hence we suggest
that il be discussed temporarily aud calmly,
always keeping in mind the strong probability
that it will lie Incorporated into the platform
of the National Democracy"
We commend these sensible suggestions
especially to the Democratic papers Of Or
cgon, which have the unfortunate habit Of
Jumping at erroneous conclusion and new
or defcrrins to those whose opportunities
Of forming correct judgments are much
better than their own, assuming that all
who do not agree with them are either
towards or knaves; thus frequently plac-
ing themselves in direct antagonism with
their own party and playing into the hands
Of the opposition, or in a position from
which they could not return to support of
party action without self qualification. 1t
was but a short time since that nearly all
the papers which now dcnouncc the Ohio
resolutions as surrender of principle were
equally as denunciatory Of all those who
refused to endorse Reputation Of the pub
lie debt as an article of the Democratic
creed, charactcrizing all such as "weak.
knccd," or subsidized instruments Of tho
bond-holdcrs." Then the avowcl rcpudia.
tors dictated the platform and the candi.
dates of the Democratic State Convention
placing the Democratic party Of Oregon
outside and independent Of the National
Democratic organization. TO day there i:
not newspaper or prominent politician
in that State to publicly avow any such
doctrine. 1t is now understood that rcpu.
diation means revolutionary resistance te
law, or it means nothing, and the repudia
tors have quietly skulked out of the logica
conclusions of their own teachings; but
instead of learning either wisdom or mod
esty by their repeated mistakes, they are
just as positive and dogmatic in their op
position upon the present question of &C
cepting as accomplished facts measures
which have become. whether rightfully OF
wrongfully, portion Of the fundamental
Law, not to be affected or disturbed but by
the means provided for changes in our
system Of government, or by revolution
The amendments to the Constitution and
the public debt stand upon the same foot
ing; neither can be avoided or rcpudiated
but by reputation, and reputation means
revolutionary resistance to the powers that
be. Whoever seeks to place the Demo
cratic party in that position of antagonism
to the Government, seeks its humiliation
and certain defeat. The restless and reck.
less few who nearly ruined the party by
their reputation folly will soon find that
opposition to the other accomplished facts
Of the war is equally fatal to success.