The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-21
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To the Editor Of the Bulletin

To the Editor Of the Bulletin
At the risk Of being stigmatised as an ole
fogy, decline to accept as true the declarations
that National Democracy is IAN Obsolete II
tie, and sthat there exists no such nationa
party in the Union, based on The old ideas
principles and policies Of the Democratic
party as has been known in the past. On
the contrary, l am inclined to believe that
those who make such declarations do sc
through design or ignorance the wish
for such to be the case is father to the thought.
In my humble opinion, the ''ideas, princi-
pies and policies Of the Democratic party, "
now, with the exception Of those questions
settled by and growing out of the wsr, are the
same as they were during the earlier days OF
the Republic In support Of this opinion l
refer to the declaration Of principles, as set
forth by and embraced in the demands of the
National Democratic Convention of 1868.
the National Democracy differ little, if any,
from those Of the days Of jackson, Polk and
Pierce.
| True, the National Democratic Convention
Of 1872, out Of Difference to those who
| clalnored for the trial of new party, so far
departed from the time-honored usages of the
Democracy as to not select standard-bearers
to represent its long-cherished principles
The sequel proved the departure to be great
mistake. The new party whose chief claim
to the confidence and respect of the American
people was its professions in favor of revenue
and civil service reform, failed to secure as
large vote for its Presidential ticket as did
the National Democratic party in 1868.
But by this departure the National Demo-
cratic Convention neither repudiated nor ig-
nored the old ideas, principles and policies Of
the Democratic party. On the contrary, that
body recognized them as being as true, and
in full force and effect as when they were
first claimed as the Democratic confessions of
faith. And the results of the elections of
1868 and 1872 is evidence conclusive that the
American people cannot be led off by new
tangled ideas from the support Of those old
ideas, principles and policies in which are in
volved the preservation and perpetutation Of
republican government on this continent
Never in the history of the Democracy did
they have arrayed against them such odds as
in the contest of 1868. Had the issue been
one Of principles, ideas or policies there is
no question but that the Democracy would
have triumphed But in addition to the
ideas, principles and policies of the Radical
party, the Democracy had arrayed against
them the power, patronage and influence, not
only of the General Government, but of a
ajority Of the governments and the money
and influence of the bondholders, bankers
and monopolists. Though defeated the Demo-
Gratis hailed the result of that contest as an
earnest Of a speedy return of the sober sec
ond thought Of the people.
And in that memorable contest the people
OF Louisiana sailed under the glorious old
banner Of Democracy, which had waved tri-
umphantly over so many victories, where
principle was the issue, with an unanimity I'M
paralleled in the history Of political contests
The friends Of civil and religious liberty did
not then stop to inquire whether or mot the
original and ancient Democrats" would ''claim
precedence over the loter recruit q but LAYING
aside all past prejudices and predictions,
like true patriots rallied to the support of the
party that had ever been the advocate and
champion Of popular government. The result
was a glorious victory.