Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-01-07
viii The Democratic Party Dis.
band!
Madison Democrat.

result Of the last national election,
and giving certain reasons, not at
great length, why the democrats of
the north could serve their country
better and tho party just rs well,
by disbanding the democratic party
organization. Tho argument then
advanced was, in substance, that
the pcrpctuity Of the democratic
government pure and simple, was
the great object TO be attained; and
that party and party organizations
were only valuable when capable
OF contributing TO that end. That
the people did not, or should not,
work for n party for love of the
party, nor for tho patronage itmight
have to dispense. The theory OF
parties is all right, and fidelity to
party is also all right But tho ul-
innate object should constantly be
country good democratic govern
mcnt, Any other party fidelity
than that arising from Il desina IL,
secure good government through,
and by means of the party, is wor-
ship Of an entirely unworthy idol.
Every man whose fidelity to his,
party is based upon the service the,
party may be made TO perform for
his country is an honest and valua..,
bic citizen Every man whose par.
| ty adhesion is based upon his love
Of Office and his desire TO secure
the cmolumcnts OF Office, is an en-.
tirely unworthy citizen. All of
which amounts TO this. The party
: is not entitled to our fidelity, when +,
, it ceases to be capable of contrib.
, uting to the general wclfare--to the
maintenance of democratic institu-
tions. Tho nemocrat took the DO.
, sition, that the democratic party
| organization had reached point
, wherc il could no longer contribute
to that end, and il should be aban.
doned. There are thousands Of the
best citizens in therepublican party
who are aware that the worsi eIo.
, ments in the party are ON tor aid
at tho front They know .
party ought TO be overhr |I
yet they have been so pi
against the democratic pa.
! the "solid sonth," IL must be 90
fessed with some reason, that they
cannot be made TO believe that IT,
change to the democratic party wi'oss
!, cure the evil. Should u new marty ,
: be allowed TO grow up IL would at J
A tract provided, Of course, that It's
leaders md measures were desery-
ing--to II all the patriotic citizens
: Of both the old parties. The ro.
publican party is no more capable
e of longer contributing TO the gener-
= al welfare, than the democratic par
! ty, and tens of thousands Of its
best supporters. know it; and viii
: abaI Ion II, Ms soon rs an opportu-
a hd / is offered, They only support
/ it now because they prefer to trust
, 1t 10 trusting tho "solid south.m
The Democrat believes this IL fool
ish apd mistaken fear, but IL exists.
' And lho fact also exists that tho
country suffers from want of Ger.
tain measures Of reform in govern
ment, that cannot, and will not,
come 80 long MS one half of the
patriotic citizens Of tho country,
hold fast to the democratic party,
believing il will furnish the means
Of reforming abuses in the govern
ment, which all see, while the other
half Of the patriotic citizens hold
fast to the republican party, nd
mitting the abuses, but fearing the
democratic party. Hence the rec
ommendation that the democratic
party organization bc disbanded.
II is simply placing the general
welfare the country above party.
When this recommendation was
made the two democratic papers in
the stase that denounced It. with
more yehemencc than reason were
the Milwaukee News and the Wag-
kcsha Democrat Both character
lied ii us an unconditional surrend-
or in the face Of the enemy. and
the throwing away Of party princi.
pie. Since then both these news.
papers have run up the white flag
surrendered unconditionally 10 re-
publicanism. What the Democrat
advised was q stategic movement.
A common sense acceptance Of the
situation and flank movement in
the interest Of good government,
and the oyerthrowing of Troy by
means Of the wooden horse. The
policy has progressed, and now that
two Of the chief obstacles that con-
frontcd the plan are removed as if
BY fate, the Democrat will proceed
in the near future 10 adyaee fur
ther and stronger reasons for the
adoption Of rhc policy.