The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-08-30

OF questioning, in which the teachings
the pulpit, OF politics, and oil the hon
circle, are subject TO scrutiny and carer
inquiry. That person has escaped gre
danger who comes through this period
doubt strengthened in the right, ar
| freed from the evil influences Of error.
began a course Of independent researC
and investigation, and my mind was Y
to the irresistible conclusion that the u
mocracy Of that elder and better day
Jefferson, and OF jackson, was wholly di
ierent from that which bears the san
name but has lost the substance In the
modern times. -.
Let us consider for q short time the hi
tory OF that party, and the causes and III
character OF those changes that have le
IL wholly bereit OF any claim upon ever
believer Ia the real doctrines OF q pur
Democracy.
Let US Tor season lay aside our part
zanship, and reason together upon III
undisputed facts Of history. We mus
concede that in Its inception the Democra
tic party was the especial Representative
OF the rights, interests and aspirations o
the great body OF voters who asked for nj
offices, who desired protection for life ant
property, and the largest liberty for al
men in private affairs, who wished an In
expensive government with powers ade
quate 10 the enforcement Of the laws ant
the protection OF It's own existence aDC
dignity. II was party Of progress, grow
ing and enlarging in It's methods and IL
policy in accordance with the intelligent
demands OF progressive people. II wa
tied down TO nc. traditions OF conservatism
1t rejoiced In the name OF the Radical
Democracy and It was always willing "a
meet the Just demands Of Its constituents
for enlarged and liberal action. 1t drew
to itself the aspiring, ambitious and lib
eral-minded patriot who looked to see
It's action the rapid growth and
great development oil this mighty CONT
nent. It was national party, having its
devoted adherents in every State and Ter
ritory, whose boast was that 1t was the
moor mans friend, that 1t extended the
tight Of suffrage and abolished all restric.
ions upon the right to vote that were
based upon property; that 1t elevated
abor; championed public schools, sought
10 economic theexpenses OF government,
ind was in most things faithful exponent
II that which the word Democracy i'm.
,lied.
But political power long welded brought
extravaganza, and departure
rom the primitive simplicity that had
1t. II might have purged
tsalf from these things, and been restored
oiits former high estate, but unfortunate.
y for It, and for the great middle and
more humble class OF clliEens who trusted
n it, it fell under the domination OF the
'outh, and from that day It's character,
,olicy and aims underwent change.
Old leaders whose lives had been de-
'oted to the interests OF humanity were os.
racised, and new men filed with the In
oxication and insolence Of newly. acquired
,ower seized the reins Of leadership.
Many patriot who hoped to see his
ountry with all its parts In harmonious
relationship, each blessed and giving bles-
ipgs TO the other, under the benign In
uences and policy OF the old party, turn
d with sadness away and sought attilia-
ion, representation, and wiser policy In
Their political organizations. With the
oss of these mon, and freed from their in
uence, the ascendenay and power OF the
lew leaders grew apace, aud vas charac-
erized by new acts OF insolence, nov de-
artures from the old policy and purposes,
ntil with sublime audacity, willie still
alling itself democratic, and protesting 10
q the champion OF the poor and the bum
lie, it became heobossn instrument Of the
lave power. q
M SLAVERY.
No correct conclusions or trustworthy
heories can be drawn as to the causes or
haracter Of these changes in the purposes,
olicy and attitude of the party, without
considering the influences OF the system
I slave labor. Want OF time iorbids us
. inquire intothe origin of this institu.
ION. or why 1t was gradually excluded
rom tive So.called N rthern States, while
became entyanchei and folly establish
a in all the so;called Southern States
Inmate, agricultural pursuits, the in.
uences OF the customs and traditions OF
he original stock from which descended
he two types Of civilization that found
heir earliest home ut Jamestown and
'lymoth Rock, respectively, aud the pro-
h or loss OF slave labor in=the two great
ections OF the country, all nay have con-
TO bring aboUt this sectlonalizing
{ an Institution that was Ut one time al
most national in its prevalence. The
and patriotic student Of his
ory will find much food Tor reflection in
pursuit OF this inquiry, but We ars de-
JARED from its further discussion. We
,nly mote The facts OF history.
ConGeding for the present that The peo,,
lie OF the South eonscientiously believed
n The wisdom aud rigbtpln sot slavery,
We must approve from their standpoint
he efforts made by them to perpetlsts,
md extend It. 4 groging conviction in
he enlightened conscience OF the nation
hat 1t was q great wrong, aud great
,urse. the sam OF all villatnies, found ek,
PRESTON through the press, pulpit and
platform, and warnad the slave power oil
he dangers That threatened It. They cast
,bout for suitable means to str0ugthen
heir fayorite institution. They naturally
ooked TO the great Democratic party 10
lid them. It was strong, Q national
party. 1t could control national legls!a-
ion. II derived \ large share OF It's POI
Iitical power from the slave.holdings States,
h desired to couciliste them and to per
petuate It's ascendency In national affairs.
d fell slowly but surely under complete
and control OF tho slave
power. The influence Of slavery was re-
llex, and involved both slave AMI owner,
land and property, civilization, enterprise,
culture, progress, and the party dominated
by It's influences In one common doom OF
loss, stagnation, decay and decrepitude,
Here let ns insist upon this proposition,
that the policy inaugurated by the Septh
FOR the protection, enforcement, perpeIity
and extension OF human slavery was a
Legitimate result Of belief In the wisdom,
policy and right OF that institution, and
that the Democratic party 10 lending
itself to that power, and pander-
ing to 1t for It's support in the Southi IN
acce sting It's policy, aud yielding to It's
designs, lot all lis original eldrdeio and ab'
1ieated It's claims for support upon the
pStriotIsm snd intelligence OF the Ameri'
can people, other than such as were mere
politicisns and slAvn owners aud those
T 100 &t,n,,a L.. lnfnEaat