Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-07-11
WILMINGTON, DBL.
Thursday Afternoon, July q.
A LITTLE TALK WITH OUR BRETHREN THE
DELAWARE DEMOCRACY.

We have no wish or purpose to open old quar-
rels or probe wounds that are healing. But you
all know that in these columns there has always
been PLAN, earnest, straightforward preaching,
and that we have never forbome giving express
sion to the faith that is in us, or urging the
adoption of what we believed best.
Did we not, therefore, tell you, four years ago,
that your party leaders were drifting toward the
same measures which the Republican party had
adopted, but to which you felt deep, and sin
cere, opposition Did we not say, again and
again, that in little time, you would be led to
the support of negro suffrage Did we not keep
you informed of the intrigues to nominate Judge
Chase at the New York Convention ? Did we
not point out the successive steps by which your
manipulators and wire-pullers were leading the
party organization into the New Departure =
Hundreds-nay thousands-of Delaware DEM
ocrats must admit that We did do all this. While
we opposed them vigorously. and differed from
them honestly, we told them the truths which
their own newspapers persistently denied
And now the delHge has come 1t is more we
admit, than even we had believed possible. We
would have felt no surprise at the acceptance of
Davis by the Baltimore Convention, but that the
Democrats of the United States should select
Horace Greeley as their candidate for President
is a result, which two months ago, few sane men
could have anticipated.
But Mr. Greeley has been made the candidate
OF your Convention. And still more, the plat
form prepared by self-appointed meeting OF
boiling Republicans has been adopted as your
declaration of principles 1t goes about as far
as Horace Greeley 1t goes quite as far, on
some questions as we have ever gone or any
Radical could go. For instance, it's second
plank is this. Listen Democrats OF Delaware
I'VE PLEDGE OURSELVES TO MAINTAIN
The union of these States, EMANCIPATION AND
ENFRANCHISEMENT, ant 10 oppose any re-
opening Of the questions sttipd by tie Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fit1eenm Amendments Of Tie
Constitution
Now when you ''pledge" yourselves t. main
tain" all this, you go very far. We can do no
more, ourselves. You will remember, Of
coarse, that at your state Convention, at Dover,
you adopted resolution almost unanimously
declaring the amen lments, which, as above,
your party is now pledged to maintain, fraudu-
lent, null and void. and not binding on this
State. But now, you are summoned to her
keep them safe, sacred, and inviolate.
1t is true, we know, that your delegation al
baltimore fought stubbornly against this sur
render to Radioalism. They voted against the
platform and voted against Greeley But they
were insulted, snubbed, and almost hiseed out
of the Convention. 1t is true also, that Senator
Bayard boldly and bitterly protested against
the platform. But he, too, was hissed and in
suited till he took his seat in disgust.
The things have come to pass which wo fore
told The pressure Of circumstances, the hunge
for Office, the desire for success, have swept
away the principles and prejudices of your lead
ers. Your party is gone gone from its old
moorings gone out upon All unknown sea, ii
search Of come strange anchorage, with Horace
Greeley in command
Such is the triumph Of the Republican caust
over you. Your own Convention comes bearing
testimony and tribute to US, our principles, oui
measures. You clamored for " White Man
Party" because the Republicans secured tc
colored men their right to vote, but 10 yot
have come to join in the voice Of acclaim, cryin,
praises to that Fifteenth Amendment whicl
secures Equal Suffrage
All these are facts We relate them solemnly
Democratic men and brethren Of Delaware
whittier are ye drifting Ye relied upon weal
leaders and false prophets In the midst of sor
trial they have BETRAYED You.