The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-07-04
An Old Democrat asks ..How can it
Be-,
From the Prairie du chien Courier.

20.years, has editeda Demo cratic paper l.
years. earnestly advocating Democratic
doctrines without cessation and still
holds steadiast, undying faith in then
correctness and ultimate triumph ovel
radicalism. Can it be expected of us
now, that we shall renounce the faith
and espouse the cause of fanatic who
always has and still spits upon the princi
Piles Of our party? Shall we do this at
| the beck of policy politicians? Now,
when our opponents are divided, and for
the first time in twelve years our party
has prospect of winning glorious vic
tory, shall we heed the plea of ambitious
men (who are in haste to get of6ce) and
throw this opportunity aside? Shall we
surrender the Democratic party, with its
three million of voters into the hands of
a mere fraction of its ancient enemies,
for the sake of policy and Office Is
this what we have been laboring for so
many years? Have we not seen enough
of this policy plotting, this trimming"
to please radical opponents What has
ever been gained by it but defeat? How
often our caucusses and conventions
have ignored true, life long Democrats,
and for policy sake forced upon the
Democratic party incompetent men of no
positively avowed political principles,
simply to get votes. And just as often
have we been weakened and defeated by
this folly. Again we find politicians
shaping our State and national conven-
tions upon this policy, forestalling the
real sentiments of the Democratic masses
and BY means of the ''gag rule and
party hope to carry out their plans.
And these self assuming leaders swear
that this policy is the sentiment of the
people.
AS Democratic editor, in daily and
hourly communication with true Demo-
crats-honest, truthful, tried Democrats,
we utterly fail to discover sign of ap-
proval of this "Greeley'' movement. 1t
is true, many of these men with whom
we talk, are toilstained rough clad farm
ers, and often illiterate in a certain de-
gree but their votes count as well as
those of the highly educated, ambitious
politician their views are as honestly
founded, and often worthy of ssconsidera-
ton. But it is plain to us that the votes
of these men will never count for Greeley!
We have tried to reason with some,
asking them: "What will you do Y ou
can vote for Gaant-you don't like his
administration-and if the Democratic
convention declares for Greeley, why not
agree with us?" Many Democrats turn
silently away dissatisfied. Others de-
clare they will not vote at all but by
far the greater number vehemently ask
"How can the Democratic Convention
nominate radical Republican, a High
tariff man, who has endorsed Grant!
administration, and expect US Democrat
ic farmers to vote for him? By wha
right can a Democratic Convention ask
us to vote for Greeley? Haye we not mar
in our whole Democratic party who i
wor hy oc our votes? MUST we vote fo
Greeley %
This is the tone and sentiments O
Democrats we meet. We have not me
or heard of single citizen of this coun
ty who will vote for Horace Greeley a
his first, free choice Not German
voter in this city or county, but express
es his dislike for Greeley. They are in
telligent men, have their own ideas 0
personal liberties, know the peculiaritie
and fanaticism of Greeley, and we hav
given up all hope now of winning tn
Republican Germans for Greeley.
The Courier is true reflex of its 10
cality and the sentiment of its readers
I. This paper faithfully represents tn
views of its people here at home. 1t
just what they make it. 1t speaks wha
they speak-adopts as they decide
Past events have shown how true thi
statement is.