Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-04-12
The Democratic Situation.

The New Hampshire election must
have very sober aspect for the Demo
cratic leaders. They have been for some
months as quiet as a cat at mouse-hole.
Their hope has been the flame of discord
which they saw among Republicans, and
their only policy has been to breathe
gently the word ''passivity" to fan the
flame. They have evidently thought that
the disposition of certain Republicans to
attempt new organization might be
most advantageously encouraged by a
system of smiles and mods and winks,
which would have been more effective
except for the singular and amusing
infelicity of the New York World, which,
with the best intentions, always betrays
its party at pinch, like robber who
wakes the household by shouting instead
of whispering. The World has varied its
hints of passivity and coalition, and
other agreeable policies, by occasionally
vociferating that Liberal Republicans had
no alternative but to join the Democracy,
and that at Cincinnati the Democracy
would merely sit in the gallery as a sym
pathizing spectator.
But the result in New Hampshire must
show the Democratic leaders very plainly
that Democratic success next Novem-
Der is hopeless. Parties, indeed, do not
dissolve in a day; but in this country
political party can hardly survive dozen
years of constant defeat and exclusion
from power. Not only have the princi-
pies and the policy Of the Democratic
party been steadily condemned, but it is
covered with such suspicion that its pro-
| tessions are not regarded. For parties
are not like business partnerships which
to-day deal in cotton and tomorrow in
crockery. If party whose principles
have been repudiated, whose measures
have been reiested and whose candidates
are paralyzed by the very political name
they bear, persists in maintaining its or
| ganization, it continues to give reason for
suspicion, and it cannot hope, under Its
old name and with its old organization,
to recover power. 1t is undeniable that
as the patriotism of the Federal party fell
under such popular suspicion that it
could not regain public confidence, and
disappeared as political organization, so
! general faith in the fidelity of the Demo
cratic party to the true principles of the
Union and the Constitution has been so
shaken by the events of the last fifteen
years that the party, as such, will lose its
hold more and mere upon popular sym
pathy.
But the characteristic clements and the
tendencies of the party will remain. 1t
is, indeed, what may be called the moral
spirit of party which is it's distinctive
quality, and attracts or repels supporters.
1t is the unfortunate fact for Democrats,
who insist upon considering Democracy
as name for certain reasonable and not
ungenerous theories of government, that
all the elements of hostility to the Gov
ernment of the United States, and to the
principles upon which it is founded, and
in accordance with which it has recently
been adminstered-the principles of
equal right and protection under the laws,
and of an actual nationality under the
the Union--are all to be found within the
Democratic party. Whatevermay chance
these elements will remain; and whatever
organization most naturally attracts them
is the one to be most feared and avoided
by good citizens.-Hmper's Weekly,