The Placer herald., 1872-06-15
LETTER FROM WHITE PINE.
What Is the duty Of the Democratic party as
Political Organization!
HAMLToN. June 1th. 1872.

a
water policy, stripped OF its Shristian sweetness
and rather doubtful humility, means political
death, no one questions. That it means 4 quiet
and out Of the way grave where past triumphs
and present eInbaIrassments may rest in peace
no one doubts. That it mans dastardly
cowartlly, burowng hole wherein an unAmen-
can, unrariotic men may shirk all responsibility
and die consistent with their living dognias, is
very certain. But parties which DO not imper-
senate living, active present, should become
extinct without calling on the public to toll the
bells nor chant requum all about political
consistency. Such are my sentiments. No true
American can remain an inactive, uninterested
spectator OF a Presidential canvass. There was
a time when the people could rest assured OF
political and moral honesty, and were willing to
be led, but there were giants in those days
Now we may look in vain for intellectual great
ness, and the masses no longer sYayed by
| the bare types Of what was, do they have
confidence in the puny hoodlums who loudly
call for political consistency to disguise their
own treachery The numerous conventions sug-
gested for 1872, makes apprehensive party dem
agoguos, and should signify to all that the peo-
Pile are struggling to free themselves from party
thraldom. Had the Democratic managers acted
in season they might possibly have held the
popular sentiment in check, but it Jagged, and ii
is not too much to say that in consequence Of
such hesitation, fully one half of the Democracy
are committed to Greeley and Brown beyond
REDEMPTION. The Baltimore Convention may
issue its bugie call but the people will not answer
10,
cannot be swayed as in the days of our great
statesmen. NJ. S. Latham was fond Of telling a
story about ''saving the man with the red head
who when pulled from the waters of Boston
hmbor, the yank making the most noise, de
manded "that six hits he owed him" There
are those who half suspect the putting off Of the
convention TO July, means 10 more than ''saye
Grant, save the man with his innumerab,e tyr
ants, oppressors and thieves. However this may
be, it is well that for once n Democratic conven-
ton will assemble with absolutely impertive in
structions; for once Presidential nominating
convention will meet to ratify spontaneous
movement. It has been asserted that the
act OF swallow ng not universal, we shodld won
der at the singular mechanism Of the organs
essential to the act. And when we examine the
history Of political parties as n guide to present
duiy We must confess ast0nishment at the stom-
achic capacity Of parties. In lo4S James G.
Burncy and the Abolition party were swallowed
by the most paridoxoal clements ever afliliatine
to pick the public bone. Just run over the long
list Of eminent Wigs, respectable Wings with
inehacebly constituted Democrrts who partook
of that ann bal feast with no more eondimt ns
than little Gacramental wine. Master Reynard
himself swallowed the tit bits without wryipg
n muscle Of his benign face. There in Buffalo
Garrison ana Gidding3, Greeley and Charles +.
Adams, Smith and Philips we're absorbed and
FIeesoilism was born. There too they resolved,
as Webster sarasticaly said, in lIny 1851. at the
same place to 'swear everlasting allegiance to
the Constitution; yes sir, to swear everlasting
allegiance to the Constitution with strong nentd,
reSrratjonS." Yet It's an historical fact that
while the Abolition party were swallowed without
pepper or other condiment their principles lived
on and controlled the new organiza ion in ali
the years that followed. Once more did history
repeat itself and the Republicans, in 1856, vor-
texed, swallowed and assimilated the half de-
moralized Frcesoil party. Yet the old principles
were not changed and only ceased when the wal
was ended and the slave went free. Then it en-
pired having performed its mission. we are
not TO fight over these battles We are to in
dorse or condemn what is inevitable. But Will
history so suggestive it becomes o question il
the Baltimore Convention wi / rant about past
glory and dying in the last ditch, or be a
ready living element in the great popular move
ment for reform. No sheep-lRe passiveness
will answer. No half hearted Endorsement will
reconcile. Its duty at this junction is to take
circumstances by the forelock nominate Greeley
and Brown with earnest enthusiasm and be q
leader in the canvass. With such course
the Democracy viii be satisfied. Those who
have been careful readers Of the Sacramento
Union are amazed at its present efforts to skulk.
That wont do. The indictment is VS. Grant.
We must hold him responsible first in this
campaign and then, dear Union, we will try Con
gress or rather will pass sentence, for of their
infamy the people have no doubt. 1t is not
true that Mr.. Greeley estimate of men is de-
fectve. 1t is not true that his character is feeble
in the enforcement of principle or integrity. Ii
is not fact that he is erratc and shutting. MOI
is it true that lie "cefcously' pressed himself
rs bail for jeff Davis 1t is true. however, that
this act comports with his character for mercy
and that 1t endears him to every lover of a com
plete restoration of harmony and perfect equality
between the North and South. He will be oul
next President and in all respects more of 4
Democratic Republ can President than could b,
made of a thousand boiled down Voorhees,. A
sober Presidential President with brains and
one who will honestly introduce q era. b.
How IT GoEs.-Enoush Greeley Demo
cratic delegates to the Baltimore Convention
are now elected to secure the Endorsement
of the Cincinnati latform and nominees