Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-27
WHAT IS THE USE OF DEMOCRAT
IC PARTY,

John Quincy Adams, the ornamental can
ddate of the Massachusetts, Democracy for
Governor, and c. L. Vallandigham, the lead
er of the Ohio Democracy, have both been
trying their hands at constructing new plat
form for the Democratic Party of the coun-
try-the first in letter TO fellow Democrat
IN Missouri, and the last in series of reso
lutions submitted to an Ohio Convention. 1t
is worthy Of note that both these shining
lights of the new Democratic faitL arrive al
substantially the same conclusions, and erect
substantially the same platform; but the most
striking thing about it is that their new plat
form amounts to a virtual surrender of the
Democratic Party into the hands of the Re-
publcans. In erecting such a platform, these
Democratic architects have evidently 'build
ed better than they knew" and if it is to be
adopted, their party might as well dispense
into thin air. Listen to Mr.. Adams:
The Constitution was struck down by the
assault upon Sumpter, as all constitutions
must necessarily tall before the face OF the
supreme arbitrament of war. 1t can never
be lifted up while war is fragrant. The peo-
pie will never resign the attitude of hostile
vigilance, which is the real significance OF the
pre- sent administration, until they know that
no one OF tneir war trophies is longer dis
puted. Then they will gladly resume the
habits which they love and the good nature
which they repress. What, then, is the mean
ing of the grotesque contortions Of those who
profess fondness Tor camels and yet strain
so Enthusiastically at this gnat! For the essence
of all Democracy is notwithstanding but
the equality of all men before the law. Equal
and exact justice to every man, and each to
share in the government of all. That Is the
only genuine democratic doctrine. But who
dares face an intelligent people with that tes-
timony upon his lips, and denounce a meas
ure which is too democratic for Democrats,
only because the entranchised are black
Surely no Republican need ask for sounder
doctrine than that. Both Vallandigham and
Adams, lay down as the first plank in their
new platform, that the Democratic Party shall
accept the situation," and abide in good faith
by the results of the war-all the amendments
to the Constitution included. This is all that
the Republicans ask, and, when this is done,
there will be really no important points of
difference between the two parties, so far as
ground of attack which the Democratic Party
has day against their opponents, arises out
of measures that have been rendered neces-
sary by the refusal of that party to accept in
good faith the issues settled by the war AS
Mr. Adams truly says "The people (not the
Republican Party will never resign the atti
tude of hostile vigilance, which is the real
significance of the present administration,
until they know that no one of their war tro
plies is longer disputed" When the Demo-
cratic Party shall convince the people that
there is no longer any design to dispute these
trophies, the people may consent to accept
the new platform-though it is exceedingly
doubtful whether they will deem it necessary
to drop the name of Republicans, and assume
that of Democrats, merely to accommodate
these eleventh-hour converts.-New York
Times