The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-01-06
The Passive P0licy---The Present
Dnty of Democrats.

The Passive Policy---The Present
Duty of Democrats.
1.-THE following forcible views,
expressed in the New Albany
Ledger, we are assured by a
prominent and safe Democratic
leader III Congress. are the views
entertained by ssinetee,s-taUeptieths
of the Democrats of the North.
The article, therefore, has unusual
significance, and claims attention.
-ED. TELL
The diminishing of the Demo
cratic party for the past two years,
against which many earnest pro-
tests have been made by MEM:
bers of our party, has had no
damaging effect in lessening in
any degree its adherence to prin-
.ciple. We haye thereby gained
a more complete knowledge Of
the status Of the enemy. We are
better able to know what to de-
pend upon, and how to plan our
attack. Day by day it is becom-
ing apparent that a straight for
ward charge upon the enemies
works, all along the line, is the
imperative duty of our party.
The .sPassive Policy" that has
lately received much attention,
is neither expedient, practicable,
or right. 1t proposes a substan-
tial disbandment of the Demo-
cratic party. 1t asks this at our
hands, without Offering us terms
or conditions. We may die peace
fully, but without even a reason
able assurance of any resurrec-
ton. 1t forgets that great par
ties are not formed in a day-that
they are the growth of long years
ofstruggle, trial, and discipline
and, therefore, ought not to be
cast lightly into confusion, or
given over to dissolution. If they
have been overtaken by internal
disease, or loss of virtue, or cor
ruption, and these evil conditions
are deemed incurable, then they
cannot too soon die. But if the
body is yet sound and vigorous,
and only here and there a member
has fallen into evil ways or inn
morality, better not condemn or
destroy the whole, rather apply
curative remedies to the diseased
parts.
Besides, the great Democratic
party has always had much OF
stern vitality, and has rested on
deep and manly convictions, and
has cherished certain great and
essential principles Of public pol
icy, government, and admins
tration. These cannot be sur
rendered without some sort Of as
surance that they will be espous-
ed and established by the new
leaders. 1t is not quite consis-
tent with the dignity and honor
of honest men, fully persuaded of
the rectitude and soundness of
their principles, to demand of
them such an unconditional ca
pitulation. 1t is not proposed that
Democrats shall cease to vote af-
ter the adoption by them of the
Passive Policy. But it is expect
ed that they will thereafter,
straightway, adopt new leaders,
and Immediately follow them,
and vote as hard as ever. Who
are these new leaders Z? Who
shall become our new Moses2 He
is not yet either chosen or anoint-
ed. He may be a great, wise, and
good man, or he may not. Our
good Republican friends, who
now tremble on the verge of
things, uncertain what to do, or
how to do it, OF when, want us
to calmly die at once, and they
promise that after our dissolution,
they will consider and determine
what they will try to do, and will
then arrange among themselves,
and at length proclaim to the
world their programme, their pur-
poses and principles. They may |
then resolve to remain an integ-
raj and lOyol mart of the Renub |