Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-04-25

though vaguely still to great extent, State
Rights principles; and lift wa not for the 40.
called Amendments standing in their wav. thew
would, judging from present appearance, 70 to
same length upon that subject US the Democracy
do
Having taken an active part in the bringing
Of these so-called Amendments into existence. L
is a hard task for them TO sufficiently subdue
their pride, 40 AZ to permit them TO deny their
constiintlonaiity. But it, upon calm reflection,
they tind that while under the influence of un-
due excitement they did that which their udp
ment now tells thehl WAS wrong, it is no, oniy
their right, but also their duty to correct that
error; and in the eyes Of oil honorable men
there would be no disgrace in their doing it."
These sO-called Anne ndments, having never
been constitutionally proposed or ratified, the
democracy cannot even for the sake of policy
cohceae that they are Amendments to the
Consttutlon; and 1t not amendments, the
principles embodied in their provisions are SO
suDvei sIve of the rights OF the States and the
liberties or the citizen, that it cannot sanction
the pr0priety of their becoming Amend
ments.
Such an insurmountabie barrier do these so
called Amendments present to the Democra.
cys joining the Liberal wing of the Republi-
can party, that it can never become accretiye
by an extensive enlistment from the ranks O:
the Democratic party.
These so-called Amendments present the
same barrier to a fusion of the two they
agreeing upon the subject Of revenue, amnes-
ty, and in great measure, with the exception
of these sO-called Amendments, upon the
question of State Rights; also, there can be
no fusion as the Republican element, pratt
caily speaking, could concedc nothing with
out becoming in toto Democratic. Neither
could the Democracy make concessions to the
Republican element upon that subject. as il
would DE equa! abandonment Of its most pur,
Democratic principles.
But aside from these reasons, initiating
against fusion, on investigation it will b'
seen that fusion so far as the Democracy i.
concerned, cannot he sustained Oh the grount
of policy. The breach between the Republi
can factions Is now so wide that it cannot b.
brldged That bridge, If the Democracy arr
united, consistent and decisive. will beat boil
the Liberal wing of the party Is SO small wheI
compared with the Democratic party, that al
invitation by it to the Democracy to iOjn il
ranks--especialy if simply for tile purpose 0
defeating the other wing Of the Republican
party-would be an impudence bordering O
the sublime.
II this fusion is to be permanent and cor
stitute new party, the concessions of Dem
Ocratic principles required to accomplish
would be such that the Democracy could nc
consent to make them; and IL it Is to be sim
ply temporary arrangement, for the purpos
/. " "S"''"E P"iC'euioi Wihk VI IHc Ntpuu
lican party, and placing another in pOwe
r and at the same time smuggling few Dem,
). Gratis into Office, the best thing the DemOcrac
can do is to let the Republicans skin their ow
skunks; and those Democrats who can find
no more honorable method of getting mt
), Office remain out.
In this temporary arrangement, the Dem,
:. cracy can Ill afford to abandon its Organizato
. and lose the fruits Of a camp aign, to suppo
an organization and lose he trusts of can
\ paign, to support an organization which is
= have such an emphemeral existence and
: few practical results. Yours &C.,
WILLIAM FLETCHER