The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-09-19
DEMOCRACY As 1T Is.

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 reptl-
dating, after much hesitation, the
progress and professions of last year
and this movement in the Democratic
party is so general that 1 am satisfied
no new party will soon take its place,
and it is a 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
ablest, 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
dishonorabledef 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 rs its
candidates for Presidentand Vice-Presi-
dent men who had for many years been
its most bitter opponents and revilers,
and did not entertain principle i'll
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
ont and unclean, but still keeps his pew
in it, and, when it travels, rides upon
its platform, in u letter recently pub
lished says:
"I believe the old historical Demo-
cratic organization is spoiled. Blun-
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 n new one.
When the members of an organization
are divided in opinion as to whether it
can honorably continue TO exist 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 hy
preiudire ar intarist IN = .--a'hS W con'
rIJtite in no respect to bring 1t 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
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, II
says the Democracy of Ohio are opposed
to secession and nullifcation, but this
means no more than "Dear sir ano
''your obedient servant put in aletter Il
n stranger The whole of the first reso
luton, in mild form, reatlirms the
doctrine of State rightr; talks about
/ the dangers of Capitalization, and CLEARLY
refers to and reasserts the old Demo
| cratic doctrine out of which secession
and notification logically and inevitabl.
| flow.
The nomination OF ex-senator Allen
n gentleman of ability and reputation
| for the office of Governor, is significant
/ and was intended to be, that the part,
has rejected ali ideas of progress, anC
/ has returned to its ante -bellum notion!
and principles. Mr.. Allen, i'll the day.
/ Democrat of the strictest sect, enter
| tanning all the notions in regard tt
slavery that were common to his part
at that time, and his nomination is
proclamation that the party has returned
! to those doctrines and ideas. As wei
attempt to restore Che costume and man
ners of ancient Egypt by presenting TO
our admiration and pattern well-pre
served mummies from her Pyramids
| 1t is vain and futile attempt to ignor
the war md all the mighty lessons ant
] l., -
that period, since Mr.. Aliens departur
from political life, and before his resur
rection, the greatest events of our ma
tional history have occurred-event
which have given new form and color t
our political system, and must irresisti
bly, shape our national destinies an
the attempt of the Ohio Democracy t
ignore these events and changes, an
restore the ideas and sentiments of tin
past. in the nomination of Mr.. Allen
will be as flat and Improbable PEI
formance rs that of the Saxon King VIII
sat upon the sea shore and forbade tn
advancing tide.
The New York World said with salts
faction that Mr.. Allen was not in publ
life during the war, and was not re
sponsible for the course of his part
during that period; but my answer
that the course of the Democratic part
during the war was the logical resu
and sequence of the principles which MI
Allen had advocated throughout his life
and which he has been resurrected
represent.
L have just read speech made b
Mr.. Allen, at Hamilton, in this State, j
1868, during the war, in which he d'
clared that slavery ought not to be e1
terminated, that the Republican part
was solely responsible for the war, thu
the Sou h was driven into secession
that Lincoln had shed enough blood
float the Great Eastern, and his cry WI
still for more described the war ,