Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-07-15
A DEMOCRATIC TEST.


spiriting notes of Dixie" And it was
closed in fact, if not in form, with an ad-
dress by the Hon. Mr.. Preston, recon-
structed gentleman from Kentucky. We
do not propose to carp at the mode OF
either opening or closing, but "straws
show which way the wind blows" and
without doubt, the band recognized the
eternal fitness Of things, and struck up
Dixie when it saw that that air would be
most in consonance with the feelings of
the Democratic hosts which hoped to
gain the control Of the destines of the
country in this Centennial year. But
there is one passage in Mr.. Preston's re-
marks which calls for more than a pass
ing notice. For the question of insanity
has became prominent one of late years.
and if it is as possible for nations as for
individuals to become insane, it may be
as well to have the benefit of the Demo
cratic light which Mr.. Preston has thrown
upon it.
The Kentucky gentleman says the De-
mocracy were Expelled from power
when the American people lost their rea-
son, and they returned when they recov-
cred it." The gist of which is, that the
insanity of the Americans began when
they refused to permit The South to quiet
ly secede, and that reason is returning
now that the defeated rebels are once
more restored to power in various States.
We must be permitted to doubt whether
Mr.. Preston's definition, or rather test, of
loss of reason will be as readily accepted
by the American people as it probably
was by the assembled Democrats at St.
Louis. There will be some disposition
manifested to inquire little as to what
the result might have been if treason"
had been retained, and the North had
said "Erring sisters go in peace" What
ever may be the result of this campaign
however, whether enough Southern States
can be carried by the White League aid
ed by the combined powers of force. fraud
and intimidation, to add TO few North
ern States which desperate effort will
be made to carry, to give Mr.. Tilden ma
jority Of the Electoral College, Mr.. Pres
ton and the st. Louis Convention can
rest assured Of one thing-that the people
are just as insane as ever in regard to the
acts of ten and fifteen years ago. 1t is
only by protesting to accept the results
of the war in good faith, and by appeals
for sympathy for condition falsely rep
resented as being far worse than it
really is, added to he real evils of which
they can complain, that give the Demo-
crats any hope whatever Of national
success. No sane man will deny but the
sentiment of the nation is largely Repub-
lican-that upon fair ballot taken to-
day, the Republicans OF the nation are
in majority of one-half to one million
of votes. When such is the case it is
idle vaporing to talk about people ire
covering their reason" merely because
they have assisted to rebuke wrong where
it has shown itself in their own party.
II this is the Democratic programme
for this campaign, it is just as well to be
posted on it in the start We had some
idea in the beginning that gush, and
brotherly love, and the common recolec-
| tions OF the past were to be the chiei
agents employed by the grand old party,
while we would be beseechingly request
ed to bury the ensanguned neither gar
ment and let by-gones be by-gones in
this Centennial year. But it would seem
that VIC are istaken-that it is the Re-
publicans alone who are expected to
bury the past" while the Democrats
are to dig it up on every occasion when
such action promises to forward their
purpose. Such, at least, is what we infer
from the tone Of the speeches made in the
Democratic convention of California, and
it appears that California Democracy on
y foretalled the expression at st. Louis.
If this hideousness Of the past is to be for
ever kept before our eyes we will be apt
to be slow to forget. Democrats should
remem Der one thing which they do not
remember. There is nothing in the rec
ord fMetr party to commend it to pat.
riotc minds. 1t is tainted with disunion
and slavery up to the hour the rebellion
was subdued with bad faith, mob law
and oppression of the weak from that
hour until the present day. The mission
| of the Republican party would have en-
ded years ago, and its acts have passed
into glorious history, if the Democrats
had accepted, in good faith the consequent
ces of their own acts. If the people have
at times thrown off Republican rule, it is
not because they had faith in Democracy.
All parties when possessed of long lease
OF power are not free from corruption
the history of the Democratic party is
the best proof of this assertion. In their
desire 20 correct misrule reform Repub-
licans have permitted some Democratic
successes, but the change is already prov.
ing hazardous one. In any event, the
people are not disposed to shrink from
the responsibility Of their past acts, and
if Mr.. Preston's test is applied to them
it will be found that reason has not vet
resumed its throne.
CHANGE THE STYLE.-Some of the re.
wards offered by Governor Irwin for va
rious persons accused of murder, or other
crimes, state that the reward will be mid