National Republican., 1878-09-19
THE REyoIrrrIoNIsrs.

which ii has been sowing for quarter of q
century and more. 1t has been the party of
revolution since long before the war, when
it clasped the institution of slavery to its
bosom and encouraged the slave owner and
slave driver to resist the progress of free
thought, free speech, and free men, even
unto violence and bloodshed, if needs be, to
retain Democratic prestige. 1t was the party
OF revolution when it melted the South to
rebel and make warssupon the Government
of the Union and the Constitution, and af-
fOrded it aid and encouragement throughout
that fearful struggle. 1t was the party Of
revolution when it interposed to prevent the
people from yielding to the necessities and
requirements Of struggling Government
under the process of draft to reinforce our
depleted army. 1t was the party OF revolu-
tion when, at Chicago, N national con-
vcntion, it declared the war to crush rebel
lion n miserable failure. 1t was the party
of revolution when it plotted the assassina-
tion of the lamented LINCOLN, and never
ceased its plotting until the work of assassi-
nation was accomplished. 1t was the party
of revolution when it melted the organiza-
tion of an army of armed traitors in 1ndi-
ana and made provision for placing arms in
their hands. 1t was the party of revolu-
ton when, through FERNANDO Woop, one
of its leading spirits, the proposition that
the city of New York should seccdc and
join the rebellion in the South was seriously
considered and acted upon. In fine, it was
the party of revolution so long as open war
lasted and the land was deluged in blood.
The Democratic party, so far as it has
dared, has steadily been the party of rcvO-
luton since the war closed. II has aided
and egged on every movement that had for
its purpose to defeat the full operation oi
the amendments to the Constitution and
the laws of reconstruction. 1t has cncour'
aged outlawry nj the South. 1t has helped
to strip the colorcd citizen OF his rights un-
der the law. 1t has applauded aud aided
the formation of armed banditti to trnmple
down the rights Of citizenship, and to muir
der those who could not be intimdated and
driven from the assertion Of those rights. 1t
has done this-yea, more than we have room
this line of revolutionary conduct since the
war closed down to the election and inau.
guration of President HAYES, and it did
not stop there, for the revolutionary spirit
that actuated the Democrats had not then
been sated. Its mission Of mischief had not
been fulfilled.
The Democratic party raised the flag OF
revolution over the late session of Congress
and under it formed q coalition with Gen
eral b. F. BUTLER, the Prince of Commune
ism, which had for its purpose, through the
POTTER committee, to set up n pretense OF
fraud, and under that prctcnse to revolu
tionize and Mexicanize the Government b,
unseatug the President and taking peace
able or forcible possession of the Govern
ment, rs became necessary to accomplish
their neinrious ends. Thus the Democrat
party has nursed within its elements tn
spirit OF revolution, and has formed coali
, tons with the worst and most dangcrou
, elements of American society, until it hn
fallen prey to its own inherent wicked
ness.
: =. The work of revolutionizing the Demo
, cratic party and overthrowing its powo
was begun in Maine, where the work WI
, most thoroughly accomplished, and the pa
II ty came out of the struggle q mere tactic,
being the most dimnutive political orgar
ization now extant in that State Its ne,
l coalition was with General BUTLER and Ii
G myrmidon of Nationals, Communists, an
Z GrecubaclIers in Massachusetts. For montl
u the party has been toying with the BUTLE
n element in the hope of party advantag
Il until the time for holding the Democrat
rs State convention. As the near approach
l. that important event came it became eN
&c dent that BUTLER and his cohor
II were more than match for 4
i Democratic organization, and that lar
IS majority of the delegates were appointed
a represent BUTLER and his dogmas, instes
il of the integrity Of Democracy, in that co
e vention In this way II revolutionary par
q has been revolutonized and literally ca
lt tured in two of the New England Stat,
't and to all intents and purposes has be
y wiped out and rendered powerless there
Is far as any purpose beyond the mere lorl
l. of party action is concerned. And til
y "the whirligig of time brings in its
lie "vengcs." A great party has nursed rev
W luton on its own bosom until in u dal
ic ance with the vericst demagogues kno,
Is to American politics, it has at last fallel
ne prey to its own want of good faith alike
e. principle and sound government.