The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-08-01
.Ehe Democratic Party.

The following very able letter is from
the pen OF Hon. W. ). GRoEsBECK, to
mi end:
I believe the historical Democratic
organization is spoiled by constant
~ laundering for the last ten years,
and shattered by many defeats. 1t sur
rendered finally at the last Presidential
election it cannot recall that surrender
or the confessions then made, and it has
no longer strength enough tor victory.
In this extremity it will be wise to lay
aside the old organization and enter in
10 a new one. The new organization
should accept the result of the war as
as was done at Baltimore, and it should
accept them in good faith, and so as to
command the respect of the people.
The new organization should be some
thing different from recaSt of the old
one. There should be no exclusiveness
about it, nor should it be merely DEM
Ocratic. 1t should be made up of pres
eut democrats, of former Democrats,
aud of all RepU bliCans who are offended
by the policy AID tendencies of the
present Administration. The new Or
SANITATION should be the Joint work OF
Democrats and Republicans, and both
should be equally at home in it, neither
the guest of the other. You ask what
should be its name; call it thei Liberal
Democracy, that will mean the free,
unseltish government of the people;
and now as to its doctrines or principles
Won ask in this connection how the
question Of negro suffrage should be
treated. That question is no longer be-
tore us. Negro suffrage is the bloody
contamination of great war, and moth
ing short of war can undo il in our day,
IN my opinion. IL viii endure in this
(5uvernmen as long as general suffrage.
( comprehend the objections TO it, and
think it was granted too soon TO that
part OF our population recently emapcl-
Dated All should make some prepare
sion for this day. We deny suffrage TO
she foreigner for a time in order that he
aRay prepare for it and we have schools
lCr ali Oh the theory that all should
prepare for IL, but il is granted and it
raunot be recalled. Nor do | think II
wise in such a Government a. this 20
keep permanently 50 large part Of our
people in an interior, degraded Couai-
don Slavery was always a danger.
To mold this population, now free, In
degraded condition, would he a greater
danger, ana always trouble US, say we
save adopted . doubtful policy, it is
done, } accept it, and on all such ques-
lions admitted TO be Of doubtful eXpe-
uieucv, I shall for the remainder of my
life, i'd peTChaDCC l must err, strive at
Spast 10 be tolerant, generous and hU-
naha: aud after all, | rely Tor good VOt-
5ng as Rluch upon the heart as upon the
lead. J concur in what else you sug-
zest. The ner organization should OPP
nose ali forms of monopoly; this is too
plaiu &c need argument mOnOpOlies
ave au outrage, aud an OifensS against
the people. The new organization
should oppose Capitalization, and II
should advocate home government III
aII local affairs, and to the utmost aK-
JeBJ that IS practicable. You can not
keep q people free, sturdy and intciii-
e-euj without home government. 1t is
hone government that trains as.
teaches Self-relianCe and develops man
Illness. Take il away, and the freeman
disappears, CentraGze power at Wash
iUgtOu, and we are transferred to out
side management, no longer governing
ourselves. We must be governed. De-
r.eSGsuC upon Washington, we lose our
Ssll SeDendence. end the free citizen
soon legeaerates into a mere subject,
whose whole dAtV Is 70 obey the law,
and whose only desire j. TO be amused
IN ldleucss. You refer HE also to the
question ot tree trade. The new organ
fEation should make 10 one of its cardi-
nal dOCtrines-there should be no
t4uivocatiOn or double meaning about
rbiS-a prOhibitory tariff is in plain con-
tradictiou tn the character of our Gov
eminent. We are all equal in rights,
privileges and inImunities, There
should ne no determinations, no favor
5,iSm. no p8rtialiuies, personal or iinan-
ciai. and as a commercial policy, pro
hibitorv tariff is behind the age, almost
a lsarbaTism, and belongs to the times
when nations ~erc walled and cOm-
rnerco without wings. I believe l have
substantially answered your letter
The new organization may properly
autagOuiZe the party now admiuistra-
sing our affairs at almost every point.
While this is so. il should not undertake
tp do every thing at once, or push re-
forms without some regard Tor lmnleGi-
alta consequences. Changes that shock /
ny their abruptness are not always Just
az fsir. We should never forget sound
1rfrp5DIcs. Rnd we should move toward
fheul constantly, surely and steadily,
INF sometimes gradually. J don't be-
Tiays ina daily revolutions, or IN sudden |
and violent arrangements OF pubhc al
ralr.. Let rue suggest doctrine to |
yvIFrh YOU have not referred. nle2n I
she doctrine Of strict construction OF the F.,
constitution. Have you considered !
what certain preventive of mlsgoyeru-
rgfeut may be found in the faithful sp-
pIicatiuu OF this doctrine? ! believed
such an spplication of it would correct
g, ery public evil of which we complain.
II is worth YOUR while to test its reach
and efficiency, and what splendid doc
trine for such q government as ouEs:
How IL exRIts the individual man, and
how il subordinates the Government.
n may fetter the Government now and
chem. hut never the citizen, he always
remains uppemost aud master. | am
nol politician or competent to advise,
at if Uou should make such q move
mont as YOU propose, it should be cOn-
-lucted so a. TO give the strongest sssu-
rance that it sought reform, and not
I,Is,e am Democrat but ] should be
.ery glad to see the Democracy move
M oi lis old organization into new
me You will not succeed unless they
10 il. II may be they VIII refuse, ana
-. tn larry when they are for u
,',I noe o. the century, and until they