The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-11-12
rnE rUrunr on rnr DrMocnAcY.

Inv OeiuoCFatlc party Is not cre-
alton of the hour. II was not born
yesterday, nor viii it die tomorrow.
It's principles are as true now as they
ever were, and tho need of their ap-
plieation TO the good government of
the country, strong rs it is Mt this
period, will increase and strengthen
as timo wears on Tho party lives,
aud will live, because 1t represents
truths that are immortal. If by any
mischanee we were temporarily to
abandon the principles we have in-
herited, we should but prove our
selves recreant heirs TO a property of
which we we're altogether unworthy,
and soon n nobler and better race
would aeise and call us accursed, to
scorn our regeneration, and to take
up AMI bear aloft the standard we
had so diseredltably abandoned.
It is true our party has suffered n
defeat, that. whilst 1t is very far from
dishonoring us, it in no manner en-
mobiles our opponents. But what of
that? There are many essentials to
a great party, not the least of which
is the capacity to bear reverse with
equanimity. We may search for the
causes and endeaYor to advantage by
the lessong they teach. That Is the
eommon-sense duty of reasonable,
sentient beings. To go further, and
declare ourselves weary OF carrying a
standard that docs not lead us to inn
mediate victory is TO avow the dis
loyalty of tho standard-bearcrs but Is
no reflection upon tho glory of the
standard.
No. There is no abandonment of
the old ship. We may strengthen
the crew, lengthen the spars and re-
new the sails, 10 tho end that we may
be better prepared TO take advantage
of every favorrnS breeze, and here
and there an officer or two may have
to be changed, better lookout may
have to be kept, and q more expert
enced sailing master appointed, and
one or two of the crew, inclined to
mutiny, may have to be put ashore
at the most convenient port. But
these arc matters pertaining to the
discipline of the officers and crew,
and the better navigation of the ship
and are very remote indeed from auy
idea of abandoning her. Those who
cry "danger" ana beg OF us TO take
to the life-boats and secure refuge IL
yonder vessel that has happened
during the recent fine weather, 4
outsail us a half knot, are sirens whc
would lure us from the siaunch shII
that has outlived many gale, ant
who would deceive us iato a flimsy
craft that may founder during tht
heavy sea that may arise.
Ours is, and OF necessity must be-,
Government by party. Under on
system nothing yet devised by the
mind OF man can safely replace th,
, principle Of party rule. That is -
obviously true that it seems a waste
OF time and energy TO argue 1t. Ye
the wiscacres Of the Republican pres
are busily engaged just now in offer
Ing gratuitous advice that we should
give up our organization and joir
theirs; that tho South should divide
and join those who welInigh over.
whelmed her States with debt, and
ruled them by means OF bayonets and
carpet-baggeTs; that Northern Demo
Gratis should become Republicans,a and
grow fat upon tile fleshpots of Egypt;
that the lion should be permitted to
lie down with the lamb, and that a
young child shouId be invited TO en-
ter tricecock's den. Fools. Know
they not that healthy opposition is
TO Government what It Is TO trade i;
it secures a better article, promotes
economy, and is the best guarantee
against fraud. Pooling gains by
tradesmen means inferiority Of goods,
high prices and unchecked swim
ding. The pooliag Of all issues by
rival political parties would mean the
loosing of the Treasury, the taxing of
the people 10 death, a division of the
spoils and finally the downfall OF the
Republic. a strong opposition is
even more necessary to the country
than is strong Government. We
may get alone without much danger,
with party in power that is not
very rcsolute in its purposes hut
nothing but mischief can come from
an opposition too weak to resist that
corruption towards which all popular
governments tend. In short, the
very life and soul Of Government
like ours consists in having resist
ing party, strong enough to prevent
the ruling party from carrying out
designs not approved by the people.
If government by the people, through
the people, aud for The people, were
as clearly and intelIigenhy under
stood as it ought TO be. we shonId