Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-16
The nutr Of Democrats.

It's organs mdlHldl4 Audts clAO1-%
dent Garfield die and the Vice President
succeed him, the Democrats shoulu
recognize Republican supremacy Dy
electing a Republican President OF the
Senate. II needs but q glance at the re-
sult of the last campaign to see how shall
low are the pretensions of Radicalism.
Go evenly balanced were the two parties
that II is unsettled whether Garfield or
Hancock had plurality. One tabu-
lation gives the former a few thousand
votes more than his competitor, and
another vice versa. THIS balance of par
ties, so even on the basis of the popular
vote is equally so on the vote of State
assemblies, as shown by the complexion
Of the Senate, where, assigning Malone
to the side he has chosen, against the
wishes of the people of Virginia, the
parties are tied. If any proof were
needed of the vitality of Democracy
this fact would furnish it.
Twice within five years has the Demo
cratic party had victory within its grasp,
and it has failed to seize it. The failure
of 1876 and its causes are well under
stood. The extraordinary conditions
that attended it are not likely to occur
again, and it has passed into history,
where it will stand unrivalled among the
usurpations that crowd the records of
the race. The defeat of Hancock is va
riously accounted for. The treachery,
indifference or strife of the New York
Democracy is usually assigned as its i'm
mediate cause. Unquestionably this had
its effect, but the primary cause lay
deeper, and yet exists as a menace
to the hopes of the future.
The Democratic party has ever been
the champion of the rights of the masses,
and its proudest triumphs were achieved
in their defense. But grander than all
its victories was the dauntless struggle
waged by the Democracy Of the North
in the dark days of the republic, when
the mailed hand of power struck at every
thing that stood in the way of its exsc-
tons. Those men fought for principle,
and their battle was successful. So it
has ever been with the grand old party
when it stood up in defense Of the tenets
of its faith.
The duty of the Democratic press and
leaders is plain. In the last contest
many Of them allowed the strongest
plank in their platform to be suspected,
and made no effort to relieve the fears
of the credulous, awakened by the
alarmed Republican organs when they
saw the chances Of the battle slipping
from them. The Democratic party de-
clared for a tariff for revenue, and when
the issue was Joined the battle was lost
by the timidity of those who let the false
assertions and bugaboO prophecies of the
Republican press deceive and brighten
the unthinking. The shrewd Republi-
can leaders who saved themselves by as
sailing this plank. now give evidence
that they would not scruple to rely upon
a similar one should occasion require it.
It is time to be watchful. For years
the greater part of the country has been
paying tribute to favored sections with
out protest, and the time may come
shortly when Radicalism may bid again
for power by offering deliverance from
the drain entailed upon the farming in
terests of the land. Revenue reform
preached with the vim that Radical lead
ers are wont to exhibit would be pow
erful rallying cry, and Democracy would
find itself compelled to fall in line or
wage losing fight on the other issues it
would offer.
But Democracy has a duty higher than
this. Heretofore the corruptions of
Radicalism have cost it dear, and many
have turned from It in disgust, and have
Joined the ranks of Democracy to bring
about change, in the hope that reform
might be effected. Though the well
concealed cOTuptions of the Hayes
regime are slowly coming to light, there
is every ground for conceding that, if
President Garfield RECEIVERS, Radicalism
will be strongly entrenched unless the
corruptiOnists and bosses" conclude to
die hard. But one thing remains for
the Democracy to do, and that
is to educate the people in the creed
formulated, defended and illustrated
by the great men who swayed its coun-
sells in the past. True Democracy is
] progressive while it is conservative. II
clothes the Federal Government with all
the powers delegated TO it, but jealousy
guards the life of the States, whose in.
dividual welfare and independence
make up the collective prosperity and
strength of the Union. No teachings
of its venerated counsellors should
be forgotten; no tradition
abandoned. The founders of Democracy
built for all time. Indifference may
convert the stately temple they framed
into an eloquent ruin, but that ruin will
endure and plead with its history to
latest generations. Vigilance, zeal. con-
sistency and courage will rear it to
heights where il will shine afar and de-
light aud impress the peoples of earth
with its beauty and strength.