American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-03-16
TAs We draw nearer the srea


TAs We draw nearer the great
constitutional struggle in 1872, it is
gratifying and encouraging to see
the firm AMI reliant stand taken by
the true Democratic journals OF the
lanl Tie degree of success or fail
ure to the Democracy in the comm 9
Presidential election, depends upon
the order in which its forces are
marshalle,l, and upon the manner
in which the campaign is conducted.
If we begin the fight as united
pl:llanx, moving steadily forward,
with the single purpose of contend
ing for the right, we have abundant
reason to hope that our efforts will
be crowned with success.
The following extracts we take
from the Lagrange (Ga.) Reporter,
a sound Democratic paper, which
sees the situation precisely as we
see it:
Democratic strength lies in the
adherence of the party to strictly
Democratic principles. To emascu-
late the party of these in the slight
est degree, can only have the effect
to weaken its hold upon the popular
or Civil and Constitutional Liberty
sentiments which are Inherent in
the American heart, and will always
I've asserted when the people are left
free and untIammeled in their ex-
pressiOns. Invested of all extrane-
GUS considerations, with minds free
from all party shaekles or partisan
prejudices, the love of the American
people for Civil and Constitutional
Freedom will always assert itself
boldly and triumphantly whenever
they see that the cause OF Popular
Liberty is threatened from any
quarter.
The principles of Popular Liber-
ty underlie and form the basis, the
structure, and the whole fabric of
Democratic party. The Democratic
party, therefore, appeals to the good
sense and patriotism of the country
in the very language and spirit of
these principles in behalf of its
claims to power and the administra-
ton of the government in the inter
est of preserving the Constitution of
the fathers and of perpetuating the
Union on the basis OF that great
charter Of our rights. 1t is upon a
strict adherence to these principles,
as the tenents Of the National Dem
Ocracy, that we can base hope for
that perfect union and harmony
which are the sure guarantees OF
ultimate and triumphant victory.
With the whole Democratic Streugtl,
of the country massed together upon
this line of principles, marching for.
ward steadily, wavcring neither to
the right or the left, proclaimine
aloud our sentiments and our pur.
poses, there is no power Oh earth
that could resist the Inauguration oil
u Democratic President on the 4tl
of March, 1873.
To uphold and defend and per
petuate those principles, there are
three millions of Democratic voters
Besides the correctness of our prin
cipies and the present strength OF
the party, we may greatly depend
for success in the approaching Pres
i.lential contest upOa popular re
vulsiOn to the present corrupt al
ministratiOn of our Federal affairs
and tie tendency to Centr,lism OF
the party in power. Disaf1ectiOi
anil division in the Republican par
ty is. weakening its power and
Strengthening that of the Democrat
ic cause. In leaving the corrupt
and oppressive party i'll power
which is now employing all its forces
to subvert orr form of government
in the interest of Centralism, honest
men will naturally gravitate to the
political element that opposes sucl
tendency. They find a home in
Democratic household among PEG
pie adhering to the political faith
refuge from oppression and OppOsi
tiOn to usurpatiOn.
The true policy then. is to secure
harmony and union in the advocacy
of the true principles of Democracy
to arraign the pIrty III power at the
bar OF public opinion for all of it's igl
crimes and mistlemeanors, and fol-
its corrupt expenditures of the pub
lie funds. 1t is the calling Of the
great Democratic party to rescue
the country from impending central
ism, to preserve the liberties of tho
people and the rights of the States
True citizens will look forward witt
the hope that it will fulfil its higl
mission.