The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-08-02
Letter from W. 5. aros.bsct.


much obliged to you and the gentlemen who
called to-day for the honor you proposed TO
confer upon me- but will not reconsider the
answer ! then made. | will not accept
for the Office Of Governor. While
this is so, warmly sympathize in what you
propose to accomplish, and hope the time is
near when present Democrats aud former
Democrats and all dissatisfied Republicans
shall I've cordially united under single organ.
izAiion. don't think there is anything 50.
cred in mere party organizations. They are
only machinery which should be repaired
when out Of order, and renewed when too
much worn. A constitution of government is
a more sacred organization than that of po-
litical party, yet we don't hesitate to pull down
a constitution in order to put up new one.
We have q convention at Columbus now en-.
gagged in that work. give you the letter to
which You referred. Il was written to gem
tleman in New York before your movement
began and without reference to it. 1t was not
written for publication, and not exactly as /
would have written il with that view; but you
are at liberty to publish it, il you think ii may
contribute in the least degree to closer aud
firmer union of all who are opposed to the
present Administration. Very respectfully,
W. 5. GRoEsBECK.
CINCINNATI, May 3, 1873.
MY DEAR Sin IL have your letter Of April
90. should have answered it sooner, and
have no sufficient apology for not doing SO.
Permit me to say that the reply here make
to il is not for publication, but personal to
yourself and those at whose suggestion you
have written. | believe the historical Demo
cratic organization is spoiled. laundering
constantly during the last ten years, and shat
tered by many defeats, it surrendered FINELY
at the last Presidential election. 1t cannot
recall that surrender, or the confessions then
made, and il has no longer strength enough
for victory. In this extremity it will be wise
to lay aside the old organization and enter
into new one. The new organization should
accept the results of the war, as was done at
Baltimore, and it should accept them in good
faith and so as to command the confidence of
the people; and in order to command the
confidence OF tho people, tbs new organiza-
ton should be something different from re.
cast of the old one. There should be no
eXclusiveness about it, nor should it be merely
Democratic. ltshould be made up of present
Democrats, of former Democrats, and of all
Republicans who are offended by the policy
and tendencies Of the present Administration.
The new organization should be the joint work
of Democrats and Republicans, and both
should be equally at home in it neither the
guest of the other. 1ou ask what should be
its name? Call it the Liberal Democracy.
This will mean the free, unselfsh government
OF the people. And now, as to its doctrines
or principles; You ask in this connection
how the question Of negro suffrage should be
treated. That question is no longer before
us. Negro suffrage is the bloody consumma.
ton of great war, and nothing short of war
can undo it in our day. In my opinion, il
will endure in this Government as long as
general suffrage. | comprehend the objec.
tons TO it, and think twas granted too soon to
that part of our population recently emanci.
patcd. All should make some preparation
for this duty. We deny suffrage to the for.
eigner for time in order that he may prepare
for it, and We have schools for all on the the.
DRY that all should prepare for it, But il is
granted, and il cannot be recalled. Nor do
think it wise, in such Government as this,
to keep permanently so large a part of our
people in an inferior, degraded condition.
Slavery was always danger To hold this
now free, in degraded condition,
would be greater danger, and always trouble
us. Say we have adopted a doubtful policy.
1t is done. accept it, and on all such aues-
tons admitted to be Of doubtful expediency
shall for the remainder of my life, If per.
chance ! must err, strive at least to be toler.
ant, generous, and humane. And, after all,
l rely for good voting as much upon the heart
as upon the head. concur in what else you
suggest. The new organization should oppose
all forms of monopoly. This is too plain TO
need argument. Monopolies are an outrage
and an offence against the people. The new
organization should oppose Capitalization. and
it should advocate home government in all 10.
cal affairs, and to the utmost extent practica.
BILE. fou cannot keep people free, sturdy.
and intelligent without home government. II
is home government that trains us, teaches
self.reiance and develops maniness. Take
It away, and the freeman disappears. Cen.
tralize power in Washington, and we are
to outside management No Ion.
ger governing ourselves, we must be governed.
Depending upon Washington, we lose our
seli'dependence, and the free citizen soon de-
generates into mere subject, whose whole
duty IL TO obey law, and whose only desire is
to be amused in ideness. You refer me also
to the question of Free Trade. The new or.
ganization should make it one of its cardinal
doctrines. There should be no equrocation
or double meaning about this. A prohibitory
tariff is in plain contradiction to the character
OF our Government. We are all equal in
rights, privileges, and immunities. There
should be no determinations, no fayoritism,
no partialitles, personal or financial. And as
a commercial policy, prohibitory tariff is
behind the age, almost a barbarism, and be-
longs TO the times when nations were walled
and commerce without wings. | believe |
have substantially answered your letter. The
new organization may properly antagonize
the party now administering our affairs at
almost every point While this is so il should
not undertake to do everything at once, or
push reforms without some regard for imme-
dlate consequences. Changes that shock by
their abruptness are not always Just or fair.
We should never forget sound principles, and
we should move towards them constantly,
surely, and steadily, but sometimes gradually.
don't believe in daily revolutions or in sud.
den and violent arrangements of public af.
fairs. Let me suggest a doctrine to which you
have not REFEREED mean the doctrine of
strict construction Of the Constitution. Have
you considered what certain preventive of
may be found in the faithful
application of this doctrine | believe sucb
an application of it would correct almost every
public evil Of which we complain. Il is worth
your while to test its reach and efficiency.
And what splendid doctrine for such a gov.
eminent as ours How it exalts the indiyid.
ual man, and how il snbordinates the Govern.
ment II may fetter the Government now
and then, but never the citizen. He always
remains uppermost and master. | am not
politician, or competent to advise, but if you
should make such a movement as you propose.
it should be conducted so as to give the
strongest assurance that it sought reform, and
not place. | am Democrat, but / should
be very glad to see the Democracy move out
Of its old organization into new one. You
will not succeed'u unless they do. 1t may be
they will refuse, and prefer to tarry where
they are for the balance of the century and
until they can fix the meaning of the Resolu.
lions of '0s. If so, suppose shall tarry
with them. Alter all, ike them and like
the old political homestead, | confess il i
dilapidated. There are no banners
upon its walls, aud victorious shoutings are
no longer heard within; but it is a home still,
and shall not leave it until it is pulled down.
Very respectfully, W. S. GRoEsBEcK.