The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-11-15
DUTY OF THE DEMOCRACY.

Accepting the defeat of Mr.. Greeley as an
expression of the sentiment which unfortu-
nately pervaded the Democratic party of the
country, of repugnance to supporting him for
the Presidency, we, although acquiescing in
good faith in the movement, freely confess
that from the first we had but faint hope Of
its succeeding. Still, as the party had been
committed to it by the action of the Nation
al Democratic Convention, it was the duty
of all Democrats, as we honestly believed, to
recognize the acts of the convention, and
work earnestly and zealously for its nomi
nees.
This support has not been accorded, nor
did the movement appear to have the effect
upon the Radical party which many suppos-
ed it would have. With the exception of some
sections of the country, where there was a
large German population, particularly in
those States where the influence of Carl
Schurz prevailed itappears as ifthc coalition
of Democrats and Liberal Republicans gave
additional force and vitality to the Radicals.
Considering the results of the late contest,
the question arises, what should be the duty
of the Democratic party in the future? AS
humble workers in the cause, but in q spirit
dictated only by the desire for those princi-
Piles which we have always advocated, we
would sincerely advise no further "new de-
parture,' no more experiments" but prima-
rily let us forget all former contests over men,
all chickering's and examinations growing out
of those conflicts, and for the good ofour par
ty, and necessarily for the good of our coun-
try, laying aside all prejudice, personal or 9TH
crwise, strive in our nomination for office to
select men whose acts in the past give us ev-
cry guarantee that honesty of purpose and
fealty to Democratic principles will in all
things be their guide and director.
The true province of the Democratic party
is to affirm and never permit itself to be lead
away from its positive affirmation of princi-
Piles, in vain attempts to disprove and deny
the ISLANDERS of its opponents. In brief but
most admirable article on the power of the
November, the following truly opposite re-
marks are made, in reference to the weak
ness cngendered in political party by its
not adhering to the Affirmative:
In nothing is this principle better exempli
fled and illustrated than in the strites of po-
litical parties. The party that adopts group
of positive ideas, and shapes positive policy
upon them, and boldly and consistently at-
firms and promulgates both ideas and policy
has an immense advantage over one which
undertakes to operate upon capital of ne
cations. The history of American politicsis
full of combinations of this truth. No party
has ever had more than a temporary success
that based its action simply on denial of a
set fpositive ideas held by its opponent. The
popular mind demands something positive
something that really possesses breath and
being--to which it may yield its allegiance.
There is no vitalizing and organic power in
simple opposition and negation. Earnest,
straightforward affirmation has power in
itself, independent of what it affirms, greater
than negation when associated with all the
influence it can engage.
In the future, following this principle, let
the Democracy pursue an even and straight
forward course, suffering no false lights" or
motives of mistaken policy or expedency to
divert it from the path first laid out and trod
by the footsteps of those illustrious men who
in founding the Republic had to contend
against the same centralizing and despotic
principles that are now sought to be estab-
lshed in the Federal government by the
Radical party of the present day