Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-08-13
The Democratic Party and
Its Allies.

Denver, Col, 1873.
The Democratic Party and
Its Allies.
tFrom the New York World.l
The natural allies of the Democrat.
ic party ut the present tlilc are tw,
more Or less imperiectly organized
bodies Of citlzems, namely: the Lib.
cral Republicans and the Farmers
Gramgcs. 1t is not merely probable,
but certain, That these three organ.
cations (lf they all deserve the name
of orgaiiZalions)- - the Democratic
party, the Farmers Oranges, and the
Liberal Republicans - comprise,
among them, IL majority Of the voters
of the United States. II might there.
1o:c seem desirable, OH a superficial
view, that they should be melted
down and blended into QUO powerful,
controlling organization. This Is II
pretty air-castIe, pleasing to scnti-
mental md seductive to trading
politicians, but never destined ~
descend from shifting cloud-lluu to
solid foundation OH terra frma. We
will prove that ii Is political dream,
and that 1T is not desirable even ii II
were practicable. Undesirable, we
mean, from Democratic point of
view.
What is Liberal Rcpublicanism
1t is Republicanism minus General
Grant. 1t is notorious that Messrs.
Greeley, Summer, Trumbuil, Sci,urz,
Banks, Gratz Brown, Faruswurtn
| and the rest would not have seeded
from the Republican party, last year,
ii they had believed there was any
chance OF defeating Grant III the reg
ular Republican National CUnvcn-
that new recruit, and not waning
confidence i'll, and much less renun-
citation of, Republican, principles,
which inspired that revolt. Air.
I Greeley "a NJ. Sumner, or, AR,
Trumbull, or MIR. Banks would gladly
have accepted the regular ltepuDiican
nomination if he could have got it,
and have fought and traduced the
Democratic party with all his former
zeal. They hated Grant and We hateu
him; and this common personal
hatred was the bond OF union III the
condition last year. Now, it is quite
impossible for the Democratic party
to dissolve aud enter new Organiza-
ton OF which the basis is Republican,
ism minus Grant. IL would be
sinking OF all that is valuable and
distinctive iu Democratic principles.
And yet this IL what the handful OF
Liberal Republicans have the audaci-
iy to demand us the condition Of
united action.
The Farmers Oranges, which pre-
sent no such surprising demand,
make nearerapproach 10 Democrat
ic principles. Their supreme motive
is not personal hostility TO All indi-
vidual, but the protection of their
own Interests. They desire better
prices for the products of their
Industry. They leel that they are
robbed by the railroads, robbed by
the tariff, robbed by paper money.
They have no wide-reacLing, couprc-
hcnsive theory OF government; they
aim only at the redress of spcciiic
grievances. The Democratic party
cnlcrtaincs the farmers view OF these
particular evils, Us II sliai cs the hos
tllity OF the Liberal Itepubncans TO
General Grant; but it can no more
dwarf itself to the economical reforms
sought by the one than to the person.
al change OF administration which |
Wuhiu su Isfy the other. The Dem
ociatlc party incluues the aims Of
both yet these are but mere corner
fraction of the comprehensive Demo-
cratic policy. The Democracy are Il |
great deal more than an uutl-Grunt !
party a great deal more than an |
or anti-taritf party. |
Democrats by conviction cannot sur
render all that Is most cherished i'll |
their political creed for the mere |
chance Of gaining carrier possession
vi Offices or patronage, and they do |
not sympatllize with any view which
makes these the chief objects Of party
Christianity incui-
Gales temperance christianity teach
cs charity; but it would nevertheless
be absurd 10 disbuuu the Christian
Church ahd merge it in q collioint
OF temperance societies
and charitable institutions. The
power ot Christianity resides in the
doctrines which it does not share
with such associations.
Democracy, US distinctive political
tenet, rests upon profound convic-
tioh VI the capacity OF nldn Tor self
government, and al equally profound
seiIse u1 The constant tendency oi
political pow CT to steal from The manv
s,r tie ,cw. 1t Is the chief aim oi
Democracy 10 Iul tail and circuiu.
scribe the sphere Uf governmental
action. Democracy docs not look
ui'on niah lis II vi Il beast that needs
u hceper, ora Al slave that needs u
p'astei, or as IL chiid That needs lead
lhs-stfih9s, but us an Intelligent be-
lhs cap"bie OF seii-ulreclion. The
i1eihucrailc party vi this country liza,
always been distinguished us the puI-
~ Witch denies to the Federal Gov
;rhnient all authority 10 which II
;anhot make out u Clear title: the
party which has opposed its exercise
IL conceded powers III such a manner
~ 10 Interfere with the freedom and =;
OF private business ami
Industry. For the first sixty year,
after the Democratic party came into
IOwer 1t had u great anu victorian,
;areer. But the civil war undid
great deal Of the past work of the
party. War is always unfayorable to
Democracy. The necessity Of putting
'orth tue whole strength OF the ,
country clothes the Government with ,
vast prerogatlves and accustoms the :,
people 10 acQaiescence. The enor-
uous growth Of patronage aud ex-
pense, besides its corrupting tenden.
~, fosters the habit OF looking IN tn
government as an irresistible. over. !
'hadowins influence against which il
$ va for the people to contend. ,,
Democracy was put back a whole
generation by our four years. wor
All true Democrats recognize the
iitiicuities of the situation and +; Al
hat work is laid OH them even !
,reItcr than be,Ouged to the genera