The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1872-02-22
"To BE. or MOI to Re-

"TO BE. or Not to Be.''
This is the dangerous AID absorbing
question which now occupies the mind
of Democracy. courageous fortune"
has swept the political bark out
amidst ga sea of troubles" and rational
men hesitate and question whether it
be better by opposing to end them,
or to suffer. But with this suterance
there will come the "slings and ar
rows" of outrageous power, and the
once vigorous body polite will weak
en- under its merciless attacks, until
probably at too late an hour for res.
cue it will be numbered among the
things that were. "There's the rub"
for upon the ruins of or present po-
litical system strange structures will
rise, under whose shadows the pure
and revered principles of free republic
can government will be forever buried,
and upon their frowning walls be en-
blazoned the everlasting insignia of
despotism.
No other than this dark picture
will be the realization of the future, if
the Democratic party, at this particu>
lar crisis, withdraws its pure and
saving principles from the guidance
of the people. In the next political
contest in this country is to be decided
the great question, whether we are
capable of self-government. This
question seemed we'll established I'M
der the long Democratic ldministra>
ton of the government, but the expe,
rience of the last decade has shaken
the opinion, of not only the rest of the
world, but ourselves, in regard to it.
Radicalism Is the powerful wedge
which has entered between the peo-
pie and selfgovernment, and with one
other successful stroke the substance
and the principle will he effectually
severed. 1t is unrestrained Radicalism,
seeking to pervert the very founda,
tians of the government which turns
deaf ear to the teachings of the
past, and to the wisdom Of the noble
architects of our country. 1t throws
away every constitutional restraint,
and seems determined upon but one
end-to follow its leaders to any point,
to indulge in every excess, and to ut>
terly disregard every national guar
antee, whether civil or social.
These leaders seek to perpetuate
their lease on power by the establish
ment of centralized despotism, deaf
to the rights, and even gloating over
the distresses of the people; and in
Democratic ranks the question is
sprung, shall not Democracy remain
passive? Is this patriotism, or is it
not blind folly? Democracy has a
glorious record; it has been but an
other name for American liberty, and
when the nation is struggling, as in a
death agony, under the powerful grasp
of Radicalism, is it manhood for De-
mocracy to withdraw from the contest,
and leave the tried old ship of state,
without pilot Or compass, drifting di-
rectly upon the breakers ? Are the
principles of Democracy false, and the
people not worthy of what have here
tofore been considered sacred rights ?
Certainly this cannot be SO why
then desert them, to support principles
engraftsd upon and part of the very
doctrines, which have brought wide
spread ruin upon the country.
If the Democratic party has no mis-
sion, then let it pass away E; but it
has in its keeping the very purest form
of republicanism. Many look upon
republicanism now as q failure, yet
this impression gains ground simply in
the review of our administrations du>
ring Radicalism. Under it the United
States has become republic but in
name that which was at first its policy
is but now a part of Its very constitu
ton.
And let those who advise Democra
cy to withdraw from the political con
test think Of the result that tho
county would forever fall a prey tc
the contending wings of Radicalism
both pledged to the same purposes
governed by the same principles, and
struggling for one and the same ends
Office and its emouments. The ont
In power uses it for its own agrandize
ment, and the other cries reform
hoping, that by doing so, at no dis
tant day the current may be changed
This strife, however, let US predict, vii
last only so long as the weaker ele
ment sees it is unable to govern" :,
the Democratic vote of the country
and let US predict again, that, shoult
it use Democracy in accomplishing It
ends, the latter will sell its sacred ant
~ L;rth-ri~ht for y mess IF not