Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-09-11
DEMOCRACY AS 1T is.
IFS Crimes, its Follies, and its False Pro.
fessiOns.

at Athens, Ohio.l
The most significant political event of
the season is the attempted reorganiza-
ton of the Democratic party in Ohio
and other States upon the basis of its
original principles, rejecting and repu-
dating, after much hesitation, the
progress and professions of last year !;
and this movement in the Democratic
party is so general that / am satisfied
no new party will soon take its place,
and it is q simple choice between that
and the Republican party and that
whoever and whatever may contribute
to the defeat of the latter is but aiding
the success of the former.
To be, or not to be" is the ques-
ton which for some two years has agi-
tated and divided the Democratic party.
A large number of Democratic politi
clans, among them some of wisest and
abIest, are of the opinion that the party
has outlived its honor and all possibili-
ties of usefulness, and ought to be dis
solved and give place to new organi-
zation. They insist that its record
during the war is SO blackened with
treason, so loaded down with blunders,
that it cannot be buried out of sight or
borne on to victory, and will continue
to drag the party down to hopeless and
dishonorable defeat. So oppressed were
the leaders of that party with this con-
viction that last year, while still pro-
Tossing to maintain its form and organ
ization, they consented to take as its
candidates for President and Vice-P-esi-
dent men who had for many years been
its most bitter opponents and reviiers,
and did not entertain a principle in
common with it.
Mr.. Groesbeck, an eminently respect
able gentleman of large ability, who for
some years has been splitting upon the
Democratic party and declaring it worn
out and unclean, but still keeps his pew
in it, and, when it travels, rides upon
its platform, in a letter recently pub
ished says
81 believe the old historical Demo-
cratic organization is spoiled. Blum
dering constantly during the last ten
years and shattered by many defeats, it
surrendered finally at the last Presiden-
tial election. 1t cannot recall that sur
render, or the confessions then made,
and it has no longer strength for victory.
In this extremity it would be wise to
lay aside the old organization and enter
into a new one."
When the members of an organization
are divided in opinion as to whether it
can honorably continue to exis. or ought
to be buried out of sight, it would seem
there should be but little ground for
hesitation on the part of all men who
are not bound to that organization by
prejudice or INTEREST, in deciding to con-
tribute in no respect to bring it into
power
A majority of the Democratic leaders
in Ohio, after full deliberation, have de-
termined to cling to the old organiza-
ton with all its crimes, follies and
blunders upon its head-to stand by its
record of principles, and to renew the
struggle for the control of the Govern
ment.
The platform adopted by the Demo-
cratic party at Columbus declares that
" the party does not seek to revive dead
issues, but stands by its principles,
which are suited to all times and cir
cumstances." 1t makes no mention of
what are dead issues, but in reaffirming
its former principles, which it declares
are suited alike to all times and circum-
stances, it points to the future of the
party as defined by the past. True, it
says the Democracy of Ohio are opposed
to secession and notification, but this
means no more than "Dear sir" and
''your obedient servant" put in aletter to
a stranger. The whole of the first reso-
luton, in a mild form, reaffirms the
doctrine of State rightr talks about
the dangers of Capitalization, and clearly
refers to and reasserts the old Demo-
and notification logically and inevitably
flow.
The nomination of ex-senator Allen,
a gentleman of ability and reputation,
for the Office of Governor, is significant,
and was intended to be, that the party
has rejected ali ideas of progress, and
has returned to its ante-bellum notions
and principles. Mr.. Allen, in the days
in which he lived, was State Rights
Democrat of the strictest sect, enter
tanning all the notions in regard to
slavery tnaJ were common 10 MS party
at that time, and his nomination is a
proclamation that the party has returned
to those doctrines and ideas. As we'll
attempt to restore the costume and man.
ners of ancient Egypt by presenting for
our admiration and pattern well-pre-
served mummies from her Pyramids.
1t is a vain and futile attempt to ignore
the war and all the mighty lessons and
events of the last twelve years. Within
that period, since Mr.. Aliens departure
from political life, and before his resur-
rection, the greatest events of our ma
tional history have occurred-events
which have given new form and color to
our political system, and must irresisti-
bly, shape our national destinies and
the attempt of the Ohio Democracy to
ignore these events and changes, and
restore the ideas and sentiments of the
past, in the nomination of Mr.. Allen,
will be as fiat and Improbable a per-
Torrance as that of the Saxon King who
sat upon the sea shore and forbade the
advancing tide.
The New York World said with salts
faction that Mr.. Allen was not in public
life during the war, and was not re-