The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-11-29
The Democratic Party.

The "new departurists" failing to
make the ''new departure" a success,
are now endeavoring to disorganize
the Democratic party, and destroying
its strength by other propositions
which will prove as disastrous as the
stink raouement.-There is an element
of slack aUad Democracy who seem de-
termined, at all hazards, TO destroy the
party and to sacrifice all principles in
their greed for Office. They are catch
ing at straws on every hand with the
hope, vain and puerile as it is, of ri
ding into Office at the sacrifice even of
public liberty. Hence all sorts Of
expediences are resorted to. These
demon STATIONS are put forward main
" by politicians whose sole object
seems to be to get office and power in
any way they may without regard to
the public veal. And now comes the
proposition, following in the wake of
the "new departure )" to the effect
that the Democratic party shall go
over, "'horse, foot and Dragons" to a
few disafected Republicans, and nom
mate one of their number for Presi-
dent.
To accomplish this latter feat, it is
proposed that concessions of principle
shall be made to meet the disaffected
Republicans on halfway gound, and
make no further opposition to what
they consider ''dead issues" and thus
unite all opposition to Grants re-
election. Now, when the Democratic
party determines to compromise prin-
ciple for the sake of the public plum
der, it is no longer Democratic; when
it condones with the usurpative, not
say criminal, legislatious of the Re
publican party, its missions as the
party of republican government is
when it leases to be distinctly
a party for the preservation of popu-
lar liberty, it becomes a disintegraied
mass of political elements incapable of
good.
The true policy of the Democratic
party is to remain solid and firm to
principle. There is a great contest 20
be fought between civil liberty upon
the one hand, and ccntralism upon the
other. The fight is to be an intellect
ual one, requiring brains, statesman
and frmness and integrity to win
it in favor of the liberties of the peo-
pie. We need giant minds and Ro-
frmness for our leaders as we go
to the front to meet the enemies of
free and equal government. We
need leaders capable of rising above
all selfish or personal motives-men
whose sole aim is TO preserve and per-
p~etuate the government of our fathers.
This is no time for trucking subser-
to any policy of expediency.
Dur liberties are threatened by the
hydra headed monster of Centralism,
and there is no party that presents to
he country the elements of sound re-
publican government save a pure and
Democracy.
We may organize a new party, but
no such organization can be effected
except by a compromise of principle.
Any new party can only be formed
BY an advance step towards centralism;
md the only objaSt in view by those
who wish new party combinations, is
hat the popular sentiment may be de-
,oyed in that direction. Let the De-
nocracy be wary and watchful-tor
have traitors in our ranks who
would sell the country for mere tenn
1orary power, unable to give US any
promise of the future. Let frmness
d the right be our motive, and adj
lesion to principle u safeguard.-
O.. Grange, Georgia. Reporter.