The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-03-09
The Political Situation.

that the Jeffersonia Democracy Of the
United States were never, 10 the whole
history Of tho country, defeated on any
question of policy, when they were not
divided among themselves on personal
or other matters than those Involved 10
the issue; or When they we're not be.
trayed, as they were 10 1868, by those
who pretended to be Of them, while in
fact they were against them.
The only dangers which noy jeopar-
diEe their success ia the next Presi
dental election, spring from like
quarter. With uuion aud harmony
among their leaders and fidelity to prin-
ciple on the part Of those who control
the movement aud destiny of the mas-
ses, they Gun and will achieve as signal
triumph Ne Gen. Jackson did 10
1873, aud. perhaps, not far short ofthat
OF Gen. Pierce in 1852, to say nothing
of their ever memorable victory under
the lead Of Mr.. Jefferson himself 10
1900,
OF the two dangers which now peril
their success, the last mentioned is most
to be spprehended. 1t is fact which
cannot be Ignored, aud one which ought
to be fully realized at once, that there
are now quite number of prominent
men in the country who hold themselves
forth as Democrats, aud assume posi-
tions as leaders and organs 10 the Party,
who never profess d distinctive fea.
ture or principle in the Democratic
Creed 10 their lives. These men have
no other object in the coming election
so far as Party is concerned, than the
defeat Of General Grant. In principle
they are just as Radical or Csntraliziny
as he. With them, the spoils Of Office
aud its emolumonts are all they are
looking TO, or caring Tor and with
must OF this class even the spoils of
office have less controlling influence
than liked determination on their part
never 10 permit, il they can prevent il,
auother Presidential election 10 be car.
ried upon the Jeiiersouian principles Of
the essential right Of local Self Govern
meut on the part Of the several States
OF the Federal Union. They are oppos.
cd to General Grant, not because Of his
principles or acts, but because Of their
personal dislike to him, aud their love
OF lucre.
Among the guileful arts of these
wolves in Sleeps clothing" in the
Democratic fold ut this time, is an at.
tempt to persuade the masses Of the
Party, that they are in the minority !;
aud that the ouly hopeful prospect of
their successfully coping with Central
ism and defeating Grant, is to sanction
the adaptations by which he assembled
to power, aud to support some candi-
date for the Presidency who stands
upon the same Platform with him. This
is the logic of these willy politicians.
Whether they will succeed iu mis-
Leading the honest masses, time alone
must determine. We speak only of the
present situation aud the dangers which
now threaten aud imperil Democratic
success in the ensuing Presidential
contest. Personally, we take no other
Interest in the matter than that which
any welhwisher of his country should
take on all questions in which Public
Liberty is Involved
Entertaining the desire we do 10 this
matter, aud solely Tor the reasons stated
We take the occasion to say to all who
entertain like wish, that there does
not seem to US to be much sense in the
proposition that the surest way to de-
ieat Ccutralism aud Empire is for the
Democracy to abandon their Constitu
tloual principles, aud aid 10 the eIee
tion to the Presidency of some Other
Radical over Grant-bUth standing ou
the sans Platform.
We proclaim the great truth often
heretofore expressed by US, that the
surest way, aud the only successful way
of rescuc of the liberties of this couu
try irom the grasp Of the uuserupuluu,
usurpers who have bOrue sway at Wash
iugtou Tor the last six years, is for thu
true friends oil the Constitution every
where, IN all the States, to make a di
rect issue with them before the people
aud arraigu them at the bar of popular
Judgment, for all their high crimes a.
well as smaller misdemeauors aud ask
that condemnation which their misdeed,
deserve, aud which no people, with ans
devotion to free Institutions, would fai
10 render.
A suppositiOn to the contrary is de
rogatory to the character Of the peopl,
of these States. II, upon such an issue
the present Dynasty should be sustain
ed, then il matters but little who sue
eeeds to Empire.
We take occasion further 10 say. and
We say 1t as warning TO the Demo
cracy, everywhere, upon the point tn 4
they are in the minority on the issu,
between Ceutralism aud Coustitutio nal
ism; on this issue squarely made and
boldly sustained, we venture the deliber
ate opinion, that the Democracy vii
carry not less than four millions of the
popular vote, aud not less than two
hundred aud twenty of the Electoral
vote. This certainly would be riumpf
signal enough. ca the contrary. W,
also venture the like deliberate opinion
that if the Democracy shall ATTEMPT t
come Into power by adopting Radica
principles aud aiding in the election o
some other Radical to the Presidency
Grant will succeed by larger majority
than he did in 1868.
These are our views upon the presen
situation aud probable prospects of the
coming future, in the contingencies
stated.