Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-15
A Political HWhat Is IT,

It used to be called the Democratic
party. Under that name it lived and
fourished for many years, achieving
numerous and brilliant victories. In
1860 it was forced to succumb on ac-
count of the damaging record it had
made upon the slavery question, and
the Republicans came into power. The
opposition did not surrender without a
struggle, however, but in 1864 it re-
newed the contest for supremacy, still
proud of its name, and fighting gallant
" under the banner of Democracy.
Again, in 1868, it rallied around the
Democratic standard, and made another
determined effort, as the Democratic
party, to obtain possession OF the gov
eminent, but with no better success
than formerly. From that day to this
Its nomenclature has been varied and
uncertain. With each recurring cam
paign, the name Of the party has been
changed according to circumstances
aad always with special reference to
hood-winking people into its support.
For instance, in 1872, it was known as
the Liberal Party" the thick under
strata of Democracy being handsomely
concealed in this way, hoping to win
over to the ticket enough Liberal Re-
publicans to ensure its success. But
the game did not win, and the following
year it was dubbed the "Peoples' Re-
form. Party" Partly on account of the
aid rendered it by the Changers. and
In a measure by reason of the ightness
of the Republican vote, the state was
carried by this party with a new fang.
led name, and William R. Taylor was
elected Governor. In 1874, it felt
that on account of its success the year
before, it might expose the cloven foot
somewhat and dare to sail under its
true colors to such an extent as to call
itself the peoples Democratic Liberal
Reform Party" The result of incorpor-
atlng the hated word democratic" in
Its name that year was disastrous, for
The people who years previously had
determined that the Democratic party,
as such, should never again hold the
reins of government, gave the Repub-
iean ticket handsome majority. The
next year, 1875, new dodge was re-
sorted to, and name sufficiently COM
prehensive, it was supposed; to embrace
all the opposition to Republication was
adopted. to wit, democratic and Lib
eral Reform Democratic and Indepen-
dent Party. But partial defeat again
overlook this party of false pretences,
and Harrison Ludington was elected
Governor. There being nothing to
inspire courage, or induce the party to
continue its adopting some new clap
trap name at every succeeding election,
In 1876 it struck out boldly on a differ
ent tack and run up its old flag; and as
the "National Democratic Party" it
made the fight for Tilden and Hendricks,
but again met with lnglorious defeat
And, now, in their desperation the
committee has issued call for a con-
vention ofthe 'People's Reform Party"
remembering: undoubtedly, that it was
under this designation that in 1873 it
achieved its only victory in this state
since 1852. But the committee must
bear in mind that there are other re.
collections connected with that cam
paign which are treasured up In the
minds of the people. They have not
forgotten that under the cry of ere
form" William r. Taylor was elected
Governor, and they have no intention
of reversing the judgment they passed
IN 1875 upon the administration of that
great and model Reformer. They had
all the fruits and enjoyments of such
Reform as Democrats vouch safe them,
in the two years incumbency of Taylor,
and they cannot be humDugged into a
repetition of the folly which they com.
nitted at that time. Any hopes which