The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-06-13
Principle Against Expediency.


Principle Against Expediency.
We had intended preparing an article on
its being the true as well as honest policy of
the Democratic party to return to first prin-
ciples, but we substitute the following excel
lent article, from the New York World, in
lieu of any remarks of our own. AS in 1912
the rallying cry of the Democrats was Free
Trade and Sailors Rights" let the slogan
for 1876 be "Free Trade and Farmers Rights"
No well.informed person, we presume, will
deny that the number of Freetraders in this
country is to-day greater, relatively as well as
positively, than it was four years ago; or
that it was greater four years ago than it was
at inc outbreak Of tic civil IN other
words, Free Trade, as an element of political
strength, has gradually increased during the
last twelve years, to go no further back. AS
little will any wel-informed person deny that
the assertion of Free Trade in the Demo
cratic platform of 1872 was weaker than in
the platform of 1868; or that it was weaker
in the platform of 1868 than in the plat
form of 1860, it having been pretermitted
altogether in the abnormal platform of 1864
left to slumber, with law itself, in the midst
of arms. In other words, while Free Trade
has gradually increased in strength, the asscr-
ton of Free Trade in the Democratic plat
forms has gradually decreased, declining from
the high assertion in the platform of 1856, re-
asserted ,hE both wings of the party in 1860,
.ssaslg'the time has come for the people of
the United States to declare themselves in
favor of free seas and progressive Free Trade
throughout the world" down to the stupid
self-contradiction of 1868, and thence down
to the inglorious loophole evasion, escape
of the Observation-Disclosures hybrid of last
year. What is the explanation of this ano-
maly? Why is it that our national decla-
rations in favor of Free Trade have grown
weaker as Free Trade has grown stronger,
until at last, when Free Trade is stronger
than it has ever been before, they have fiz-
zled out completely? An effect so remarka-
bic must have q cause worth ascertaining
and it concerns those who would renew
Democratic ascendancy in the Government
to ascertain it. In our opinion it is not very
reconcile
1t cannot be reason of principle, because
the flowing tide of Free Trade has known
no ebb within the Democratic lines any more
than without them and, indeed, revolutions
of opinion, more truly than governmental
revolutions, never go backwards, turning,
Hike the ratchet-wheel in only one direction.
The Free-traders it cannot be doubted have
increased at least as steadily in the Demo.
cratic ranks as out of them, and are at pres
ent relatively more numerous, in the former
quarter rs well as in the latter, than they
have been at any previous time Every rea-
son principle, therefore, has called for an
increasingly downright assertion of Free
Trade-just the opposite, that is to say, of
what has actually been put forth. The reason
in question must be one of policy, and
whatever it is, involves (as consequence of
the fact just mentioneD a sacrifice of prin-
pie, which alone is enough to condemn it ;
for the unprincipled, besides being wrong in
itself, can never be polite. 1t is so ordered
in the fitness of things. The reason we
look for is now not far to seek The Demo
cratic party during the civil war so managed
-->i--~..Nsoa itn lo5 iti,,,utv opposition to
the party in power as to come out of the
conflict not only in minority still, but with
the odor of incivism dishonesty and basely,
yet too etfectually, cast upon its standard by
that victorious adversary. In this emergency
two courses were open to the party, as there
are to all parties in the minority and under q
shade, namely: First, the straightforward
course fprinciple recruiting the party by
= converts to its doctrines, and patiently bid
ing the day of triumph; and, secondly, the
crooked course of expediency, recruiting the
party by accommodating its doctrines to their
opponents. Stunned by unwonted defeat,
and CALLED by the malignant calumnies heap
cd upon its name and banner, the Democra-
cy, losing its head to some extent, unhappily
chose the latter course, pursuing it by lower
ing the Democratic standard, and calling on
conspicuous Republicans to assist in bearing
it {; and the course being essentially down
ward one, the further it was pursued the
lower the Democratic standard sank and the
more extensively it was confined to Republi-
can bearers, until in the campaign of last
year the Democratic standard sank out OF
sight, and the Democracy fought under Re-
publican leadership pure and simple. Thus
is the anomaly explained. Such, in our judg-
ment, is clearly the cause of this "etfect de-
fective," as Polonious would call it.
But whatnow? The Democrats are at the
end of their chosen course. They have
slipped or tumbled to the bottom FacaA.
est descensus The force of expediency can
no further go. What will they do? Stand
where they - only to wheel round and
round like dDg in his kennel preparatory to
lying down to sleep of shame that may
know no waking? Having gone to the wall
would they go to the dogs? Or will they
shake off the Incidence of defeat, regain the
course from which they never should have
turned aside, and, girdng their loins, pursue
it firmly, faithfully, fearlessly, without q
shadow of turning, to the end, which, unlike
the end of the present course, will rest not
in the depths Of decentralization and defeat
but on the heights of victorious power? Be.
tween these alternatives the Democracy will
not hesitate. 1t cannot hesitate. If it hest
tates it is lost, though its principles will moi
be, for they are undying, and if the organi
cation tsat has so long enshrined them should
falfaway w1Tf4orm for themselves new one.
But, we repeat, it will not hesitate. The
Democracy will return to its principles raise
its flag from the dust and fly it once agar
fullmast high, inscribed with its old legends
crowned by "Free Trade and Farmers
Rights" the master-legend of the time and
under this inspiring ensign rally the live mer
of the country. Expediency has had its day
The day ofprincipe is now dawning, wherein
it will appear that principle is also the high
est expediency.