The Shasta courier., 1872-11-16
WHAT NEXTe

The attempt OF the Democratic party
leaders to sell out their followers by their
action at Baltimore, was followed by its le-
gitimate results. Instead of uniting all
opponents of the administration under one
banner and moving on to victory, it result
ed only in a defeat disgraceful to all con-
nected with the movement. The surrender
at Baltimore was virtual concession that
the Democratic party, on its own footing
was powerless, and the Waterloo defeat
of the fifth of November must convince all
rejecting minds that, with the aid OF their
new allies they are more powerless than
before. The battle cry Of "Anything to
beat Grant," resulted in the reelection of
Grant by greater popular majority than a
Presidential nominee ever before received
The Democratic party to-day, then
stands in condition PARALLEL to that of the
Federalists, after their defeat by the Re-
publicans and Mr.. Madison in 1872. Then
a condition of affairs prevailed similar to
that Of the present time. The first ad-
ministration Of Mr.. Madison met with bitter
opposition in the ranks of his own party
As at present, some Of the most able Re-
publican leaders Gncluding a Senator
from Mr.. Madison's own Statel, were
among its opponents. Their candidate for
President was Dewitt Clinton, New
York Republican of national reputation.
Between him and his Federalist supporters
there was no more in common than between
Mr.. Greeley and his Democratic adherents
in our own time As if to complete the
parallel, in each case the coalitionists met
with crushing defeat. Then, as now,
the people demanded something more than
a negative policy Of government. From
this defeat the Federalists never rallied
and Mr.. Monroe, Madison's successor, was
afterwards elected by unanimous vote of
the Electoral College.
The Democracy of today are as badly
demoralized and broken in spirit as were
their prototypes, the Federalists, in 1872.
In sacrificing principle for hope of sue.
cess, the party has alienated many of its
truest, staunchest members. 1t is mere idle
vaporing which assumes that there can
ever again be Democratic party preten-
tious enough to claim the palm of victory
against the Republican hosts. But the
opposition will undoubtedly concentrate in
some form or other, for three millions of
voters are power in the land, and with this
or far less number as a nucleus, a party
might be formed which. if aiming to secure
the triumph of just and progressive prin-
ciples, would draw large accessions from
the ranks of the party in power, which
Democracy ever looking into the past for
its issues would fail to do. So long as no
new questions of principle or expediency
arise the Republican party, as now consti-
tuted isassured of the ruling ofthis nation.
With new questions of public policy, men
would arrange themselves as they believed
the issues to be, but the new party to be
formed must not be marshalled by the old
leaders of Democracy. In them the people
have lost all confidence. After their re-
cent action at Baltimore, anything they
might choose to do or say would be looked
upon, not as concession to principle, but
as hid for popular favor. And whatever
might be the errors of Republicanism, it is
every way preferable to the rule of Democ-
racy, under any came. Upon the present
questions of the day, the Republican party
has taken correct position. The re-elec
tion of Grant is triumph of "civil service
reform" of freedom of election, and of all
the grand principles of Human Freedom
which emanated from Republican sources,
and were carried to successful issue
through Republican support.
1t is then, difficult to foresee on what
basis the opposition will hereafter rest
Reconstruction is accomplished and within
the next four years the spirit of lawlessness
which has been rampant in some parts of
the South, will be quieted. The States
have all resumed their relations with the
Federal Government and freedom of
thought and action is uncontrolled. IF the
Republicans, in the future as in the past,
aim to legislate solely for the best interests
OF the country, they are assured of an ex-
tended lease OF power, no matter what
character the opposition may assume. But,
if flushed with their grand success, they
assume that whatever they do will be sane
toned by the people, then will their days
of rule soon be numbered The Demo
cratic party once had firm hold upon the
affections Of the people, which it lost only
through its treason and corruption. The
Republican party has taken its place and
should be warned by its fate