The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-01-07
From Harper's Weekly.l
The Bourbon Reaction.
j. t. FARRAR.

We recently called attention to the
fact that the chief sign of a policy to be
pursued by the Democratic party, should
it be restored to power is the proposition
to repeal the acts enforcing the new
amendments under the plea of their un-
constitutionality. But the evidence accu-
mulates that no real reform or progress
is to be expected from that party. The
only ground, indeed upon which any
man familiar with its tendency. and with
the history of the country could be ask
ed to look with any feeling but appre-
| hension upon Democratic restoration
would be that the party was regenerated,
and that its old policy and leadership
having ended in civil war, it would now
present new spirit, new measures, and
new men. This is the more indispensa-
bic as ground of public confidence be-
cause the late elections were not carried
upon any distinctly defined issues. There
was no contest of policies, as of protec-
ton and free trade, of internal improve
ments of national banking system, or
of the conduct of foreign relations. Upon
all the great questions that command
public attention, the finances, Southern
affairs, administrative reform, both par
ties were divided A majority of Demo
cratic candidates were elected, but what
they represent can be only gradually dis
cerned as the tendency of the party de-
velops itself.
Thus far then, the signs show that the
spirit of the party, which the people of
this country know very well, however
much they may have hoped to find it
changed, is precisely the same. Its sue
cess last spring in Connecticut led at
once not to any indication of reform or
progress, but to the election as Senator of
e %l,1r 0f hA
bons, typical reactionist, a well-known
Copperhead of the war. Its victory in
the autumn began with cry of imitation
and Reputation in the Western States,
while in New York it instantly brought
forward Horatio Seymour as the chief
candidate for the Senatorship, whose
political significance and career are
familiar and in Pennsylvania it's promi
nent candidate for the same position is
Jeremiah Black, one of the most fragrant
ly disloyal politicians in the country, who
furnished Buchanan with arguments for
conniving at secession. Meanwhile the
same success makes Fernando Wood the
most conspicuous Democratic candidate
for Speaker of the next House of Repre-
sentatives, fact which of itself is signifi-
can't of the situation. Fernando Wood is
one of the most notorious of public men.
In pursuit of the Speakership he is said
TO nave recently issued cafQS 1Of a recep-
ton at his house in Washington with the
motto, Justice is slow, but sure" But
in certain case, if we remember cor
rectly, Justice was so slow as not to be
sure, and, arriving too late, was barred
by the statute of limitations.
We have already alluded to the Demo-
cratic jubilee in Philadelphia at which
the Constitution was declared to be "a
grant by sovereign States, and the gov
ernment of the United States to be IAN
agent of the people of the States This
is the old Virginia and Kentucky doc
trine which the people have rejected at
the point of the bayonet. And scarcely
have the Pennsylvania Democrats ceased
to cheer this proclamation of the SOW
ereignty of the States than Democratic
organ informs US that the sovereignty of
the States is not an orthodox doctrine.
But body Gf Pennsylvania Democrats
. may assume to speak for theif party with
a;;Iite as much right as New Z ork news
! 4-iisE. aast ~ tbs Democratic Conventions