The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-11-06

II makes one feel sad to turn back from the
ugly present to the past and compare the old
parties Of our boyhood with the new ones,
which have sprung up under the prOmptings
OF the sinner light" and the ''higher law
in these modern days Of downward progress.
The old Democratic and Wing parties were
honest and high toned and entertained
respect for each other. They were both
constitutional parties, and the great ques-
ton was, which stuck to the constitution
Of oar fathers the closest. They construed
that Instrument somewhat differently, the
Democrats contending for a strict cOnstruc-
ton and the Wings for more liberal one,
but both professed to be governed by it, and
neither thought Of ignoring il or trampling
it under foot II was then held by al, ex-
cept few half crazy fanatics, to- be a sacred
bond Of union, next to the bible in authori-
ty. These few, who called il ''bond of
iniquity and a league Of hell,' were de-
nounced by both parties as impiOus and in
sane and the worse foes Of the country,
but they were not deemed very dan
gerous on account Of their numbers,
so small as to be generally derided
end laughed at. The Wings thought as
little Of them as the Democrats. We re-
member well some Of the hard fought con-
tests between these old parties, for we bore
our humble part in them, and rejoiced and
sorrowed with success and defeat. There
used to be lively times during q canvass,
and there were always in the South joint
discussions, conducted warmly, sometimes,
but always eonrteoesly aud respectfully.
The people were enlightened by these dis
cussions and, in the South, had more polit-
ical intelligence at that time than the poo
pie Of any other country on the face Of the
globe. All understood their duty as citi-
zena, and when the election came on, every
body turned out and voted. Though ex-
eitomcnt often run high in various places,
and on particular occasions, yet after the
election was over, it al soon died out, for
the people felt that which ever party had
succeeded the country was safe.
How different now, since fanaticism has
triumphed and Radicaliam fills the country.
Who could have believed, twenty-five or
thirty years ago, that the sinner light and
the higher lawn wonld spread and grow
aud flourish until they become the
rule Of action, instead of the glo-
rous old Constitution Of our fathers, once
held in such respect and reverencea Yet
the Radical party, now ruling this country,
sprung from these very fanatics, once 50
condemned and despised. It has been gov
ernOd ever since its advent to power by no
other considerations than tho timer light
and the higher law, as 1t interprets them
to serve It's own base interests. Il has no
regard whatever for the Constitution,
though, to carry out its purposes, It has
changed Il according to its own notions by
fraud and force still Il il thrown aside rs
Of no binding obligation, whenever It suits
the convenience Of the Radical party. Can
such party Be treated with any respect by
tho good and pure people left IN the lapdi
Can les corrupt leaders be looked upon in
any other light than as the enemies Of the
Constitution, the Union and the liberties
o. the countryl Impossible. a canvass
cannot now Be conducted as in former days.
Tho Democracy, who are shn true to their
faith. stilltrue to the Union and the consti-
tuition, feel that they are now contending
Tor everything which should be dear to
freemen against the undoubted enemies Of
constitutional liberty, party Of lavless-
ness, corruption and oppression. and they
feel the greatness Of the stake and the con-
sequences which must follow defeat Il is
now a struggle, IS Il were for life. and il
cannot hc carried on with the amenities and
social intercourse, which distinguished the
cid political eoatests The battle nov Is
patriotism asainsi Individual sel6shness,
virtue against vice, honesty against fraud,
purity against Couupsion and liberty against
dcspo,isn.