The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-10-16
THE DEnoCRArIc PARTY.

The results of the October elections awaken
of the democratic party. Fortunately for
the country, there need be no doubts. In
the past, the country under democratic rule
marched steadily from triumph to triumph.
The laws were obeyed, the people were
happy and contented, and prosperity and
peace walked hand in hand. The constella-
ton of states revolved in their well defined
orbits around the central authority, without
encroachment or conflict, while the world
looked on and admired the workings Of a
system of government which, while it
guarded all interests, left the
people so absolutely free to pur-
sue their avocations that friction
was so light and dscords so immateual as
scarcely to attract attention, and harmony
was maintained, while growth and expan-
sion were matters for constant qualification.
Errors there were, for it is human to err, but
amidst all the imperfections charged to the
democratic party there is no instance on
record where il sought to sbridge the rights
or the freedom of the people. On no page
OF its history is reC crded an act which can
be tortured into a purpose of impsirirg
fealty to the constitution of the country or
of abrogatlng the rights of the states under
the constitution. In all the vital essentials
of constitutional government the democratic
party has never swerved hairs breadth-the
same always. Believing in mans capacity for
selfgovernment, it has stood aIoof from the
wild schemes of fanatics and demagogues,
and has held fast to principles which must
prevail if republican institutions are main
tanned 1t is these elements of strength and
safety that in times of trouble make the
people turn to the democratic party for re-
lief and defense. This has been true in the
past, it is true now, and the democratic party
will continue to be recognized as the cham
pion of the rights and liberties of the people
as long as this government endures. In
what we have said of the democratic party
is found just the opposite of the record of
the radical party, which the people are now
abandoning in every state IN the Union,
where the truth has fair chance TO combat
error. To deny these things is to deny self
evident truths, and in fool-!ardiness is
equivalent to denying any of the established
axioms in mathematics. The fact that IN
der gyeat excitement the people may be led
away from their best interests in no wise
detracts from the faith the democratic party
has in their capacity ultimately to compre-
bend the TRUTH or in their willingness to cor
rect their own errors of judgment. "The sober
second thought of the people is always
right, and it is this that Is influencing them
TO abardop radicalism. They hsys found it
to be a cheat ard q lie. Begniled by
horid professions of devotion to their
welfare, they followed it con6ding-
l. for years, and until it led them
into bankruptcy and ruin. Claiming to be
the especial guardians Of their liberties,
they have seen the radical party batter
down constitutions, bsyonet legislatures,
trample upon the ballot-box, employ mil
itary force to overawe and crush the weak,
and finally, in the desperation OF its
wickedness, reverse their will in the choice
of president and vice president by means so
essentially infamous as to defy description.
These things are steadily working out a revo-
luton In the popular mind, and as a conse-
quence the democratic party is as steadily
growing in power. Great changes are not
wrought in day. 1t is enough if the friend
of refrom can see a strong movement
in the right direction, and this
encouragement the democratic party
has. It can boast of the control
g. majority of the states, the control of the
United STATES senate, the control OF the ns
tional house of representatives, and has, as
was shown IN 1876, majority of the voters
OF the country. The revolution is going for
ward grsndly. It's stately steppings can be
seen in all directions. The democratic party
is coming into power-coming up out OF the
wilderness terrible as an army with banners.
When il gains full control of the govern
ment it Will reduce the burdens of taxation.
1t will devise means to lift business from its
prostration, restore confidence, awaKen the
industries of the country, give the idle en-
ployment. aud inaugurate an era of prosper
ity throughout the land. The outlook is
suspicious. Let the people rejoice, for their
dellverance from the curse of radicalism is
at hand