The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-03-16
No Concession of Principle.


s'The generous spirit which moved ma,sy
leading minds in 1868 10 seriously consider
the policy OF presenting the name Of Chief
Justice Chase, Is Democratic candidate,
exists to-day Ia fall force. III victory is to
be achieved and ccncihaiion effected hy the
concession Of candidate only, there IS no
Democrat in this brosd hand who would not
prosnptly Fen0aHcc AL rclaims to that dis.
tinction, and accept the alternative as a
patriotic duty. The Democracy aim at
grander results Than mere possession Of
power. They have matae greater sacrifices
for the Union thaa any required BY the
present emergeacy. The Liberal Repnbli-
cans, Labor Reforusers, and Democrats,
agree substantially upon the principles Of
Reform, and a'ehange ofAdministration.
The pract sfVuestion now is, can these
clemens be united harmoniously, and be
snsde 70 cooperate efficiently. That can
only DO answered by time. Hence, we re.
peat, the National Committee have acted
prudenllyin net fixing a time for holding
our Convention, or taking any step in that
direction. This is the Judgment Of the
calnfestand most sagacious minds in Goa.
,.and il corresponds with the policy OF
reserve which our friends here have adopt
etsince the controversy opened bytween
the Presidents friends and his ''adversa-
rries," as the Liberals are stigmatized by
Mr.. Morton. Lei as therefore hasten
slowly. - Washington fairie<.
five understand the position Of the
Patriot correctly, it is the candidate
only that is to be conceded By the Dem.
'ocrats, not principles. A fusion of the
Democratic party with the other
elements Of opposition to the Admin.
istration, upon such basis, would not
DO impracticable. 1t is the substance,
not the shador, for which the Democ-
racy contend. Its true opponents de-
mand that they shall not be required to
stultify themselves, or to accept plat
form at variance with their most cher.
ished creed. And if they should agree
to . concession Of the candidate, il
would be only on the ground that one
should be presented for their acceptance
whose antecedents were unobjectionable.
There is no such generous spirit in
the party as would tolerate the selection
Of such candidate as Mr.. Chase, and
the Patriot ought to be sufficiently well
Informed upon that subject not to de
lude itself or its readers in reference to
it. The mention Of his name in 1868,
occasioned general outbulst Of indig.
nation, and the attempt to foist him
upon the party was regarded as an act
of the basest per6dy. Had his name
been placed at the head of the ticket,
or the name Of any other man, with
similar antecedsnts, million of Dem.
ocrats would have refused to 60 to the
polls. Such could De The case no,o
The rank and file of the party 10 the
country at largo are not to be led or
driven, like cattle, whithersoever the
men who assume to lead them prefer
Let not the little coterie Of politicians
at Washington and New York, fall
into the error of surprising that they
are the party; that AW arc "the PEG.
pie" aud that wisdom will die with
them" 1t is delusion, from which thew
will be sternly aroused, should their
course of policy be marked BY anything
short Of honesty, consistency and discre
tion. A false step, which should not
meet with popular approval, would give
Grant an easy victory. A judicious
one, taken, not in the interest of spoils.
men, place hunters and huckstering pol
iiicians, but based upon the firm ground
OF correct principles, would hurl the
present Administration from power as
with awhirlwind Of popular revolution.
The country is ripe for it, if the ardor
of the masses is not dampened and re
pressed by unwise leadership.