Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-25
THE POLICY FOR Is72.
From the New York World.

1IOu Lue new 4OLh NOLlus
An opposition party, if strong and cour-
ageOus, may render valuable service. 1t is
a restraint upon the administration, which
never dsres to venture so far in the face OF
a great and intrepid opposition party as it
would do in the absence OF this check. And,
what is equally important, it is always fol
the advantage of the country TO have a
great, disciplined body Of men capable
of administering the government if public
opinion should condemn and overthrow
the party in power. If the Democratic
party should be disintegrated and disband-
ed, or its tone were so let down that it no
longer commanded confidence, the people
would hesitate to change their rulers, lest
the government might fall into hands in
competent to administer 1t. The Demo-
cratic party may or may not, succeed
in the approaching Presidential election.
We have no doubt that 1t lCiH succeed with
good candidates and good platform. But
it would be better for it to fall fighting man
fully for its principles than to be beaten in
q demoraliziIg coalition. If the passive
policy were TO be tried and fail, the Demo
cratic party would never be heard of again.
But if the party were to be beaten in a
courageous contest with its opponents
(Which we do not believe 1t can be- 1t would
come so near to success, that it would exert
a great restraining power, and have its
chances in a subsequent campaign. The
only wise course, as it seems to US, is for
the party TO maintain its organization and
discipline, fight vigorous battle on lib
eral platform, and cherish reasonable con-
fidence in the good sense, patriotic instincts,
and "sOber second thought" Of the people.
For our part, we favor an active, aggressive,
energetic policy in the approaching Presi-
Dental campaign.
From the Ciarksville Chronicle,
Whilst Illinois and Missouri have adopted
the passave policy, and the idea seems to be
gaining favor in other quarters, the disaf-
fected Radicals remain On-COmmittal-un-
willing to let go their party aftinities, yet
afraid to hold on. In this dilemma the
Democrats will probably find no other
course open to them, than a determination
TO stand by their long cherished principles
and ''surviye or PERISH" battling for pOpU-
lar liberty and the broad principles upon
which alone, it can securely rest. We have
favored, and favor still, fusion of all ele-
ments Of opposition TO a centralized deS-
potism, but unless the proposition be cor
daily accepted by the disattected Radicals,
it may be a false step, ON The part of the
Democrats, to accept the fusion as an &C
complShed fact, only to find themselves
betrayed, their cause lost and their party
disorganized.
It is a matter for grave consideration
when, and how far, expediency should be
resorted to, in crises involving fundamental
principles. 1t is an undeniable fact that a
too frequent recourse to expediency blunts
our perceptions of abstract right, breaks
down the distinction between policy and
principle, Ioosens the hold of the latter upon
conscience and ends in fearful demoraliZa-
ton, both individually and collectively. At
the time when the depravity of the masses
and the corrupt ambition of the few have
brought our free institutions to the verge of
ruin, and laid the foundation for a despot-
Ism, the sternest integrity and bIoadest pa
triotism will sanction any expedient by
means of which enough Of those institu-
tions may be preserved to serve as found
alton for future superstructUre as perfect,
in proportions and materials, as that which
the vandal hordes of Radicalism have so
nearly demolished
This consideration alone reconc1es US to
the passive policy. We have no ambition
to crafty beyond an humble instrumen-
tality in the preservation Of free institutions,
the maintenance of the honor of the repub-
lie, and the prosperity, integrity and happi-
ness of its citizens. Believing that these
ends can be reached by no other means than
the overthrow of the present rotten admin
istration, we are ready to adopt any expe-
dent that promises to bring about the de-
sired result. We are not so welded to De-
mocracy, as a party, as to risk the loss Of
free government by blind adherence to its
dogmas, yet we have too much regard for
the main features Of its creed, willingly to
see them dishonored by fusion that prom
ises no substantial good to the country.
Hence we regard the passive policy as con-
ditional upon the earnestness and sincerity
with which it is met by such men as Trum-
bull, Schurz, Blair, and those who sympa-
thize with them,