Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-03-25
The Dead Democracy.

IMPORTANT CONSULTATION OF LEADING DEMOCRATS
-PRePosED BEoRGAEizATIoE or THE PARITY
THE OLD NAME TO BE ABANDONED.
The Washington Rep,ibliodn..of yesterday says
Governor Hendricks. of Indiana, whose name
appears as the candidate for whom the largest
number of Democratic votes was cast for Presi-
dent in the late electoral college, and who Is as
much as any other man the acknowledged -eader
OF that party, has been in Washington for sever
al dnys The object OF his visit was unknown
until yesterday, when it was discovered that he
had been in consultation with leading Senators
and others of both the Democratic and Liberal
Republican organizations regarding the future
course Of their respective parties. He is known
to be more conservative In his political views
than many of his colleagues, VINO. like Mr.. Voor-
hees, have with more or less consistency refused
to strike hands with Libel al Republicans.
His mission, therefore, was one Of peace and
Cancellation, but nevertheless, startled many OF
his associates by it's boldness. IL Is Understood
that Judge Thurman, Representatiye Beck. and
several others have declined as yet to Join the
movement, while others have readily declared
their adherence to it. In shert Governor Hem
bricks proposes TO abandon the old Democratic
organization entirely; also to abandon its name,
and to organize new party, which shall have
for it's platform such conservative and compro-
missing declaration of principles as will attract to
it's support all classes who are opposed to the
dominant party He claims that victory in the
next Congressional contest can be easily gained
by the opposition as the political history OF the
country shows that in the ''off year" the oppo-
nent of the dominant or Administration
party are always more or less succcessful.
He thinks that careful consolidation of all
| the opposition elements now, with a view to
carrying tho elections Of 1874. will 80 encourage
| the new organization that in 1876 party may
be formed OF sufficient strength 10 defeat the
Republican party, horse, foot and dragoon. he
| further claims that the abandonment OF the old
name of the Democracy is absolutely necessary,
as the recent contest clearly proved that the
masses OF the people OF both sections Of the
| country either tired or disIustfnl Of any
i thing which bears that name. He also thinks
| that the recognition OF defeat to which such an
| Abandonment would be an equivalent would car
nv great weight with the discontented classes OF
the Republican party. 1he liberal declarations
/ as set forth in what is now remembered OF the
| Valandigham letter or platform, commends
itself to his consideration.
/ The meetings thus far have been informal and
confid ential, but the gravity OF the subject has
| induced general discussion among the party
i leaders, which in the end has destroyed all ef'
| forts to keep the matter secret. 1t is evident
| that the movement is more serious than one
i would suppose it to be at casual glance, and
backed as it is by men Of acknowledged ability
it is more likely 10 succeed than any OF the sim
liar attempts that have preceded 1t. When
i Andrew johnson and his friends tried to accom-
| plsh the same result the leaders who are now
active remained quiet to take part In it. Bu
they are now alive to the necessity of immediate
action. They have failed thus far to agree up
on any defiaite programme for the future, bu
il Is possible that when their consultations as
sumo q more formal character they will decide
to issue an address to the people calling con
| Vention at which the proposed organization cal
be permanently effected.