The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-08-28
WHOLE NO. 1871.

The Democratic party is party of ex-
periments. During the last dozen years
its empiricism has extended through
pretty much the whole range of political
inventions and devices. To carry the
elections has been its cherished object to
seize power its consuming ambition In
the blind pursuit of these ends it has
mistaken statecraft for statesmanship,
prejudices for principles, and popular
caprice for public necessity. Seeking
votes rather than the good of the coun-
try, 1T has spread its sails to every chang
ing breeze, and directed its course toward
all points of the political horizon. OPP
posed to prosecuting the late war, it was
nothing 10th to clamor for its more vigor-
Gus prosecution when that served the
turn OF winning votes and preparing the
way to party triumph. 1t made the per-
secution of negroes a leading dogma until
by so doing it repelled more votes than
it gained, when it drew off its sleuth
hounds, acquiesced in negro suffrage,
and pointed to the acquiescence as proof
of Democratic progress. 1t connived at
secession until secession went down in
the flame and smoke of battle and then
professed to oppose it. At one time it
nominated a soldier to take advantage of
the war feeling, at another a rebel sym-
pathizer to make the most of peace feel
ing. Last year it tried Liberalism. ac-
cepted Republican creed, and nomi-
mated Republican leader. This year it
flies to the opposite extreme, reaffirms its
ancient dogmas and nominates Demo
Gratis of the old school. This is believed
to be its strongest card; it certainly is its
forlorn hope. With the ticket and plat
form the party has now adopted it will
make a life and death struggle Every
thing is staked on the success of this
last experiment.
In this last supreme effort the party
proposes to fight single-handed 1t re-
nounces its allies, repudiates coalition,
stands upon its own merits 1t boldly
challenges once more the inspection of
its record, and invites examination of its
credentials as they appear in the light of
history. 1t falls back on its ancient pres
tige and time-worn traditions, hoping
they will be a sufficient covering and
apology for its later follies. We are now
to have revival, if such thing can be
in this progressive period, of what is
known as Jacksonian Democracy. The
past is to be resurrected, but not the re-
cent past. We are expected to remem-
Der the Democratic party as it was forty
| years ago, and forget what has been
since. The name of William Allen is
offered as a symbol of what it was and
still hopes to be.
But alas for these hopes and expecta-
tions. That which the party asks us to
recollect belongs to a past generation,
while that which it ignores belongs to
the present one, and cannot be made
inconspicuous by any mans name, pres
tige or achievements. Whatever De-
mocracy may now profess, the people of
Ohio will not forget what it has perform
| ed. Whatever it may once have been,
| ke1,y l., Il -
is now. They will remember its attach
ment to slavery, its completely with the
late rebellion, its opposition to recon
black citizens, its connivance with the
infamous Ku-Klux, its advocacy of dis
guised reputation, and all its later
odious history, far more vividly than any
of its achievements or dogmas OF the
Jacksonian period. The taint of all this
cannot be wiped out by mere professions
of purity, or pledges of good Behavior
| Columbus Journal.