, 1872-02-08
golititat.
Passive Policy Indorsed.

From the st. Louis Repu6ttcGn OF Jan. 3.
9th we copy the subjoined. 1t seems
the Ironclad Democrats celebrated
the victory of jackson at New Orleans
and their own surrender to the Liberal
Republicans. Here is the account Of
the jubilee
Last evening, at the Temple building,
what are termed the Ironclad Demo-
Gratis " of St. Louis met in quiet con-
clave. They had with them Frank
Boehm's excellent band and the occas-
ion was a pleasant one. It was called
as a battle of New Orleans anniversary,
and intended by the Democratic party
as a memorial ovation to the victory
there obtained.
There were present about one thou
sand people. The Ducal Ball of course
held number from attendance, but
among those present were noticed Cap
tain Pepper, DR.. Hickox, VIM. Belt,
Major McKinstry, John D. Finney, Hon.
J. N. Bell, General Shields, John D.
Schaffer, and number of other nota-
bles.
Mr.. John D. Schaffer called the meet
ing to order, and Frank Boehms band
played Hail Columbia" On motion,
Hon. j. N. Bell was called to the chair
and H. Barres was elected Secretary.
A PASSIVE POLICY RECOMMENDED.
Mr.. Lewis V. Bogy was loudly called
for and came upon the stage greeted
with cheers. He stated in substance
that this was not only Democrat, !,
meeting, but sort of Democratic jubi-
lee, to bear kindly remembrance of one
of the great victories for the party, not
only at New Orleans, but as an inaugu-
ration of the Democratic policy of the
country. The Democratic party since
its advent in national politics had been
the national party, it had struggled for a
recognition of constitutional law through
the Constitution alone; the earnest ex-
ponent of Independent State Govern
ment, subject to strict constitutional
construction; that the Government, as
administered under the Grant policy,
had become more of a military usurpa-
ton and centralization of power than
was intended by the trainers of the Con-
stitution, and that to defeat the aims
and objects Of the dominant party and
secure to the country the true object
sought for by our fathers, was restora-
ton of those principles by what is
known as the Passive or Conservative
policy. AS party, he said, Democrats
are in the minority, but by uniting with
the Liberal Republicans victory for
the great principles of our Government
could be achieved. By associating with
them in the coming national election
and standing shoulder to shoulder in
the advocacy of constitutional rights,
appeared to him to be the only hope of
success. The defeat of General Grant
was the object of this unity of action.
A disaster and defeat, in his opinion,
would follow the more earnest policy,
and the country would merge more
strongly into military organization in
antagonism to the Ideas of republican
form of government. He spoke of the
Passive Policy introduced and advocated
by the Republican as a noble one, hav-
ing for its object the best interest of the
country and the people, and in which
there was no sacrifice of Democratic
theory or principle. His speech was
listened to with interest and was often
stopped by applause.
Mr.. George Mcclure was called for
and was introduced to the President.
He complimented the occasion union Of
the Democratic party on the anniversary
of General Jackson's victory at New
Orleans, and spoke earnestly of the
present tendency of the Government,
merging as it was into military despot-
ism, antagonistic to the spirit and inter-
est of free people, and he saw the only
hope for the political welfare of the
country in what was termed the "pas-
sive policy" They might term it even
the "possum policy" if they chose to.
The coon policy of 1910 brought relief
to the political demagogues, but none
to the people. He regarded the passive
policy as the only salvation to the coun-
try. As an Independent government,
with Libaral Republican Senate to as
sist President, the nation, as Re-
publican one, had hope; beyond that,
none.
General Shields was called for, and
in his earnest manner urged upon the
party to unite upon any policy which
would secure defeat of General Grant
He cited the fact that three-quarters Of
century ago General Jackson defeated
the flower of the British army and Sc
cured the establishment of Democratic
party in the country now being destroy
ed by military usurpation, and this was
an auspicious moment to inaugurate the
triumph again of the Democratic prin-
ciples, The Democratic party has du-
ty to perform to the country, and if that