Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-06-28
DEMOCRACY ILLUSTRATED D,

We respect honesty and frankness in
political opponent as much as we detest
dissemination and lodging. The Demo-
cracy, in some sections of the country,
have proclaimed "new eparture''--pro-
erosion in political principles. We like
to see men give up bad issues and accept
the inevitable, but before giving them
credit for such motives or acts, we want to
be persuaded of their sincerity. Words
are cheap. 1t is very easy to adopt resOlu-
tions and make promises on the hustings
and in the press to the people. What we
want is, to see some evidences of sincerity.
We cannot be persuaded of an honest
change of convictions by the simple dccla-
rations of q few leaders in States or coun-
ties, where they know very we'll that on
the old issues and in the old ruts they can
not succeed. If the Democracy of the
country are really in favor of progressive
principles, we want to see some evidences
of it in the States where they are in the
ascendancy, and where the power and in
fluence of the party are to be found. For
example, New York and Kentucky are
just now strOnghOlds of the party. If Il
Democratic President is elected next year
it will be chiefly through the aid of such
States. OF course contributing so much
to success they would have much influence
in determining its policy. We can there
fore consistently look to those States to see
what Democracy means, what its policy is
and what it will be if in possession of the
National Government. .r
Kentucky was overrun last winter by
lawless bands ofdisguised men, who rode
under the very shadow of the Capitol,
where the Assembly was sitting and res
cued from the custody of the Sheriff noto-
rious criminals. 1t met with no rebule,
not even notice. In the same State, I'M
der Democratic rule, the public debt has
been greatly increased and taxes multiplied.
Thus we find last winter the Governors
mansion fitted out in eXtravagant style
with costly liquor glasses, euchre
tables, furniture and window curtains
But in the view of the new departure, !"
about which Democracy is so much enam-
ored, it may be interesting to know what
Kentucky Democracy says of it. There
is no "policy" there, it is plain, frank
principle.
AS to the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fiji
teenth Amendments, am out and out opposed
TO them. / care not who in Indiana, Ohio and
elsewhere, may be for them. Those amend
ments were engrafted upon the Constitution of
the country, and proclaimed to the country as
part and parcel OF the Constitution. by force
and by fraud and not in the legitimate way
laid down in the Constitution. Ten States of
this Union were tied hand and feet, and bay
onets were presented to their breasts to make
them consent against their will to the passage
of these amendments. The procuring of these
amendments was a fraud upon this people and
upon the people of the whole United States
and having been thus obtained, | hold that
they ought to be repealed. There may be some
Democrats who are not for their repeal, 6ut tie
great body Of oar part, is for it, .-a tt
In New York the Democracy is noto-
riously corrupt, both at Albany and New
York city. Such fragrant abuses and
frauds were never before known in this
country. And now comes the World a
g new departure" organ, and says substan-
TALLY the Democracy accepts the situation,
but it will get rid of the Amendments as
soon as restored to power by reconstruct
ing the Supreme Court as fast rs possible,
packing it with judges opposed to them
and thus declaring them void.
Thus it is that where the Democracy are
in power we see their real animus and poll
icy. Compare Kentucky and New York
securely in the clutches of Democracy
with Iowa and Massachusetts as securely
Republican, and what a contrast do we
find!