Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-12-23
DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND HOW TO
MEET 1T

The purposes of the Democracy, encouraged
by the results of the Autumn elections, already
become apparent. 1t ia seen thus early that
despite tile efforts of the most intelligent aud
patriotic men in the organization to reconstruct |
its policy and to put the party in line with the
progressive spirit Of the age, that it is in fact
welded to the old order of things, from which no
pressure of matters needful to the time is likely
TO move 1t. Tlden and Bayard and Thurman
are not in fact, the Democratic leaders. Al
though they are put at the head on dress pa
rade, they in no wise represent the intellectual
status or the political and social proclIyities of
the great majority of men who vote the Demo-
cratic ticket. II they did, with all their errors
of principle and judgement, it would be better
for the country and worse for the Republicans.
But they do not, and even should one Of these
gentlemen stand for the next Presidency he
would but hold such an anomalous position as
that occupied by Lord Gordon in the English
No-Popery riots, he would be an enforced com
mander Of mob with which he would have
very little sympathy and over which he would
have, practically, no control
For beyond doubt the true object Of the new
ly encouraged opposition is governmental con-
struction of the type which prevailed prior to,
and which inevitably led to the Rebellion. Dis
trust and hatred of the colored man is now, as
before, its ruling passion and the States Rights
mania, so far from having given way to the true
national policys clearly still its controlling polit-
ical idea. Treason is by no means odious in its
sight, and the highest claim man can even
now have upon it's consideration is that
he did what in him lay to break up the
Union, and is doing all he can to nulify the re-
suits Of the war. Do we draw the line unfairly ?
Let any man who thinks so reflect upon the al
most universal comments of the Democratic
press on their November victories, and then let
him note the class Of persons put forward in the
South for places of honor and profit. He will
find, on the one hand while here and there
voice OF moderation may be raised, that for the
most part the tone is truculent and revengeful
and on the other hand he will be astonished ant
grieved to learn that the men named in the Soutl
for preferment are almost entirely persons wh'
rendered aid and service to the Rebellion. L,
have been a rebel chief is the surest passport t,
Democratic affection, and the next Congress, t,
which many Of these men have been elected
will be the most remarkable Legislative body tina
ever assembled in any country, for it will presen
tine novel spectacle Of ex-rebels-not always re
pentant either-joining IN the controlling voic
which will govern the destinies OF the countr
they lately endeayored to destroy.
Unfortunately, we cannot now prevent the az
semblage of such Congress in December next
it will be reproach to us but it is too late t
hinder it but we can 80 conduct ourselves i
the meantime that the preposterous mixtur
may not be repeated and that during it's shor
lease of power this nondescrpt House, faced
it will be by Republican Senate and Presiden
cannot. with all it- strange majority, work til
interests Of the country any lasting harm. Bl
to do this the Republicans, in what remains
the present Congress, must rise to the highe
limit of craftsmanship Of which they are c
pable, and thus create public sentiment whiC
the Rebel element will feel it to be useless to def
The situation is full Of gravity rightly We've
it is as profound situation as that of the wi
ter Of 1850. May the virtue OF the people al
the genius Of Free Institutions zee us W,
through it.